kids encyclopedia robot

St. Mark's Church, Dublin facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
St Mark's Church
St Mark's Pentecostal Church
St Mark's Church
St Mark's Church in 2010
53°20′41.26″N 6°15′3.7″W / 53.3447944°N 6.251028°W / 53.3447944; -6.251028
Country Ireland
Denomination Pentecostal
Previous denomination Church of Ireland
(1729 – 1971)
History
Status
  • Church (1729 – 1971)
  • College (1971 – 1987)
  • Church (since 1987)
Founded 1729
Dedication Mark the Evangelist
Consecrated 25 April 1757 (1757-04-25)
by Archbishop Charles Cobbe
Architecture
Functional status Active
Heritage designation Protected
Architect(s) James Franklin Fuller (1878 repairs)
Architectural type Georgian Church
Completed 1757
Closed 1971 (by the Church of Ireland)
Specifications
Materials Limestone (calp) with granite dressings

St Mark's Church is a special building in Dublin, Ireland. It is a Pentecostal church located on Pearse Street. This means it is a type of Christian church. It is connected to Christian Churches Ireland, which is part of the Assemblies of God. People go to St Mark's for two services on Sundays.

This church building is very old! It was first built in 1729. Back then, it was a Church of Ireland parish church. The Church of Ireland is a Christian church in Ireland. In 1971, the church closed. Later, Trinity College Dublin bought the building. Then, in 1987, it became a Pentecostal church.

St Mark's Church History

Early Years as a Church of Ireland Building

The St Mark's Church building was built in 1729. It was located on what was then called Great Brunswick Street. Today, that street is known as Pearse Street. The church was officially opened on April 25, 1757. This special day was St Mark's Day. Charles Cobbe, who was the Archbishop of Dublin for the Church of Ireland, led the opening ceremony.

Some changes were made to the church in 1853. These changes were done by a group called the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.

Changes Over Time

The Church of Ireland closed St Mark's Church in 1971. After it closed, the things inside the church were moved to other Church of Ireland buildings. The old church records were also moved to a special place.

After 1971, Trinity College Dublin bought the building. They sometimes used it for student exams and lectures.

In 1987, a group called the Family Worship Centre bought the building. This group is a Pentecostal assembly. They fixed up the building and opened it again as a place of worship. It has been a Pentecostal church ever since.

The Churchyard Story

The church building had a churchyard around it on three sides. This churchyard was a cemetery with many graves. In the 1700s and early 1800s, this churchyard was a target for "body snatchers." These were people who secretly dug up graves. They took the bodies to sell them for medical studies at places like Trinity College, which was nearby.

To try and stop this, a wall was built around the churchyard. But in 1892 and 1893, this wall was removed. A railing was put up instead.

Famous People Connected to St Mark's

  • Oscar Wilde: A very famous writer, Oscar Wilde, was baptised in the old Church of Ireland building.
  • Katie Taylor: Katie Taylor is an amazing boxer and an Olympic gold medalist. She is a member of the current Pentecostal church.
kids search engine
St. Mark's Church, Dublin Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.