St Mary's, Dublin (chapel of ease) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Marys Chapel of Ease |
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| St. Marys Chapel of Ease, Dublin | |
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| Location | St. Mary's Place Dublin |
| Country | Republic of Ireland |
| Denomination | Church of Ireland |
| History | |
| Founded | 1830 |
| Consecrated | 1830 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | John Semple |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Closed | 1962 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 1000 |
St Mary's Chapel of Ease, often called "The Black Church", is a famous old building in Dublin, Ireland. It used to be a church for the Church of Ireland. You can find it on St Mary's Place in the Broadstone, Dublin area.
The church gets its nickname, "The Black Church", from the stone it's made of. It's built with a local stone called calp limestone. When this stone gets wet, it turns a very dark color, making the building look black. A "chapel of ease" is a smaller church built to help people who live far from the main parish church. It makes it easier for them to attend services.
Contents
The Story of the Black Church
Building the Church: 1830
The land for St Mary's Chapel of Ease was given by the Viscount Mountjoy. The church was built in 1830. The person who designed it was a famous architect named John Semple. He worked for a group called the Board of First Fruits.
Semple got many jobs from Archbishop McGee. This was a time when many new churches were being built. Different church groups were trying to attract more people.
Unique Design Features
The inside of the Black Church is very special. It doesn't have any inner walls. Instead, the outer walls curve inwards towards the ceiling. This creates a huge, open space that looks like a giant arch. This design is called a parabolic vault.
John Semple used this unique style in many buildings he designed around Dublin. Over 12 years, his ideas became more refined. For example, a simple cross design over a door in his early work later became a detailed "Rose" window. The main doorway also became one of his signature styles. It was a tall, oval-shaped gothic entrance with many carved leaves.
What Happened to the Church?
The church was no longer used for religious services after 1962. This is called being "deconsecrated." Today, the building has been updated inside. It is now used as offices. Even though it's surrounded by modern streets, the striking building still stands out.
The Black Church is close to other historic chapels in Dublin. These include the chapel of the Rotunda Hospital and the Bethesda Chapel, Dublin.
Local Legends and Stories
The Black Church and the Devil
There's a fun local story about the Black Church. Some people say that if you run around the church five times, you might summon the devil! Of course, this is just a legend, but it adds to the mystery of the old building.
Images for kids
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A view of the church's steeple from the main door.
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A view of the south side of the church from Upper Dorset Street.
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A side view showing the unique architecture of the church.
