St Catherine's Church, Dublin (Roman Catholic) Explained

St. Catherine's
Fullname:St. Catherine's, Meath Street
Location:Meath Street
Dublin
Country:Ireland
Coordinates:53.3421°N -6.2786°W
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Website:https://www.meathstreetparish.ie/
Dedication:Catherine of Alexandria
Dedicated Date:30 June 1858
Architect:James Joseph McCarthy
Architectural Type:Church
Parish:Meath Street, John's lane Parish
Deanery:South City Centre
Archdiocese:Dublin

St. Catherine's is a Roman Catholic church on Meath Street, Dublin that is in use today. It was dedicated in 1858 and is the second church to occupy the same site. There is also a small grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes located on the grounds.

History

There have been two churches on this site, the first being an octagonal chapel opened in 1782.[1] The chapel and a presbytery were knocked down to make way for a bigger church. The foundation stone of the new church was laid on 30 June 1852. The architect was James Joseph McCarthy and construction of the main church was completed in March 1858, but the original design of the upper portion of the tower and spire was never completed.[2] The church was dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria on 30 June 1858.

James Joyce's first short story, The Sisters, concerns a former priest of St. Catherine's Church, Meath Street.

A small grotto was built on the grounds and dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. It was renovated and rededicated in 2000.

The church suffered damage from an arson attack in January 2012.[3] [4]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Short Histories of Dublin Parishes. Part IX. at www.chaptersofdublin.com
  2. http://www.dia.ie/works/view/36889/building/CO.+DUBLIN,+DUBLIN,+MEATH+STREET,+CHURCH+OF+ST+CATHERINE+%28RC%29 Dictionary of Irish Architects
  3. http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0103/liberties_fire.html Man charged over Liberties church fire
  4. http://www.independent.ie/national-news/man-48-charged-with-arson-after-fire-at-historic-dublin-church-2978254.html Irish Times - Man (48) charged with arson after fire at historic Dublin Church