ST MARY’S OF THE ANGELS CHURCH -236733-1

CHURCH STREET DUBLIN JULY 2024

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St. Mary of the Angels Church: A Capuchin Gem on Church Street, Dublin

Designed by J.J. McCarthy in 1881 for the Capuchin Order, the elegant St. Mary of the Angels Church replaced the smaller Church Street Chapel. Its Gothic Revival style, with pointed arches, rib vaulting, and turrets, creates a harmonious interior and a striking exterior that stands out in the streetscape.

The church’s Franciscan heritage is evident in the numerous depictions of Franciscan saints, including sculptures by Leo Broe on the facade and mosaics and sculptures by James Pearse (father of 1916 Rising leaders Pádraig and Willie Pearse) in the reredos. A unique feature is the series of oil paintings depicting the Stations of the Cross, titled in Irish – an early example of the language’s use in a religious context.

The Capuchin Friars, who have been present in Dublin since 1615, originally established a friary on Bridge Street in 1624. They moved to Church Street in 1690, shortly after the Battle of the Boyne, and opened a “Mass house” on the site of the current church. This Mass house was enlarged in 1796 before being replaced by the current structure.

St. Mary of the Angels is not a parish church, but the friars also serve the nearby Halston Street Parish, one of the oldest in Dublin City Centre. The friary also houses the Capuchin Day Centre, providing vital services to the local community, and the Capuchin Mission Office, supporting the work of Irish friars overseas.

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