Church of St Nicholas of Myra Without, (Roman Catholic) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Nicholas of Myra (Without) |
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| St. Nicholas of Myra (Without), Francis Street | |
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| 53°20′28″N 6°16′26″W / 53.341108°N 6.273888°W | |
| Location | Francis Street Dublin |
| Country | Ireland |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | francisstreetparish.ie |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Nicholas |
| Dedicated | 1835 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | John Lesson Patrick Byrne |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Greek Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1829 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Francis Street Parish |
| Deanery | South City Centre |
| Archdiocese | Dublin |
Did you know there's a really old church in Dublin called The Church of St Nicholas of Myra (Without)? It's a Roman Catholic church on Francis Street that people still use today! This spot has been a place for worship for a very long time, even since the 1100s. The church you see now was built in 1829 and was officially named after Saint Nicholas in 1835.
Contents
A Long History: From Wooden Chapel to Stone Church
The land where the church stands has a fascinating past. Around the 12th century, there was a simple wooden chapel here. Later, it was taken down.
The First Stone Church and Franciscans
A new stone church was built after the Franciscan order arrived in Ireland in 1233. In 1235, a man named John le Porter gave the land. Even King Henry III helped out, giving money for the building.
This completed stone church was dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi. This is how the nearby street got its name, Francis Street! Sadly, this stone church was destroyed around the 1540s. This happened during a time when many monasteries were closed down.
Building the Current Church
In the 17th century, the Franciscans tried to get the land back. However, their plans changed due to some political events at the time.
The church you see today was built to be an important church for Irish Catholic Archbishops. It replaced an older church in Limerick Lane. Construction began in 1829. The church opened its doors in 1834 and was officially dedicated in 1835.
Architectural Changes Over Time
The first architect for the church was John Leeson. Later, in 1860, another architect named Patrick Byrne was hired. He made some big improvements to the church's look.
Patrick Byrne added many of the main features you see on the outside today. These include the grand ionic portico (a fancy entrance with columns), the pediment (the triangular part above the entrance), the bell tower, and the cupola (a small dome on top).
Once, three statues stood on the pediment. They showed Our Lady, Saint Patrick, and Saint Nicholas. At the feet of Saint Nicholas, there were three golden balls. These symbols represent charity. An anchor was also there, symbolising hope.
