St Peter's Church, Phibsborough, Dublin

St Peter's Church, Phibsborough
Map
53°21′38.00″N 6°16′35.00″W / 53.3605556°N 6.2763889°W / 53.3605556; -6.2763889
LocationPhibsborough, Dublin
CountryIreland
DenominationRoman Catholic
Websitewww.stpetersphibsboro.ie
History
Foundedc. 1826
DedicationSt. Peter
Architecture
Architect(s)Mr. G. C. Ashlin, F.R.I.B.A.
StyleGothic revival
CompletedChanged and augmented over time. Current church (with tower) stands since 1907.
Specifications
Length200 ft (61 m)
Spire height200 ft (61 m)
MaterialsLimestone
Administration
DioceseArchdiocese of Dublin[1]
ParishCabra/ Cabra West/ Phibsborough
Clergy
ArchbishopArchbishop Diarmuid Martin
Priest(s)Fr Paschal Scallon, CM
Fr Eamon Devlin, CM

St Peter's Church is a large Roman Catholic church located in Phibsborough, in the north of Dublin.

History

A view of the nave

In the early 19th century, Phibsborough was a crime-ridden suburb home to many families living in poverty. Ultimately, the concern for the children of Phibsborough resulted in the founding of a Catholic school in 1826. Two of the priests running this school, Rev. W. Young and Rev. W. Carroll, converted the top floor of the school into a chapel.

In 1838 the Vincentian order, under Dean Philip Dowley, took over the running of the church.[2]

In 1843, new school buildings were built to house the growing number of students. The second floor of the old structure was removed and the chapels length was augmented, leaving it 123 feet (37 m) long and 35 feet (11 m) high. In 1907, work on the spire apparently commenced after Cardinal Moran of Australia commented on the lack of Catholic church spires in the Dublin skyline.

St Peter's Church is recognised as an important landmark in North Dublin. In 1984 Bernard Neary wrote:

You could hardly be called a Dubliner if you hadn't heard of St. Peter's Church, Phibsborough. Standing proudly on Dublin's Northside, each stone of this noble landmark bears the story of hundreds of Irish people of many generations who dared to dream a dream.[3]

Decorative

St. Peter's is noted for its beautiful stained glass windows, particularly the west window and Harry Clarke's early masterpiece entitled The Adoration of the Sacred Heart. The window depicts, among scenes of the life of Jesus Christ, the adoration of the Sacred Heart with Ss. Mary Magdalene and John the Evangelist.

St. Peters is richly decorated with Gothic embellishments, such as gargoyles, pinnacles, bosses and columns made from Newry granite.

Organ

The pipe organ, dating from 1910, is originally a Magahy instrument.[4] The instrument was majorly rebuilt and refurbished between 1947 and 1949 by the Conacher organ company. At this time it was a very highly-regarded instrument. In 1952, Jeanne Demessieux gave a recital here. [5]

Specification Of The St. Peter's Organ

The console of the St. Peter's organ in the west gallery. Note the unusual stop tabs.
Pedal Great Swell Choir Couplers
32' Harmonic Bass 16' Double Diapson 16' Lieblich Bourdon 16' Contra Viola Ch/Gt
16' Open Diapason 8' Open Dia. No.1 8' Small Open Dia. 8' Open Diapason Sw/Gt
16' Violone 8' Open Dia. No.2 8' Stop'd Diapson 8' Viol D'Orchestre Sw Sub-Octave/Gt
16' Sub bass 8' Open Dia. No.3 8' Echo Gamba 8' Gedackt Sw Octave/Gt
16' Lieblich Bourdon 8' Harmonic Flute 8' Dulciana Celeste 4' Viola Sw/Ped
8' Open Diapson 8' Hohl Flute 4' Principal 4' Harmonic Flute Gt/Ped
8' Principal 4' Principal 4' Wald Flute 2' Violin Ch/Ped
8' Cello 4' Octave 2' Fifteenth 2' Harmonic Piccolo Sw/Ch
8' Bass Flute 4' Concert Flute Mixture III 11⁄3' Larigot
4' Principal 22⁄3' Twelfth 8' Oboe Mixture III
4' Flute 2' Fifteenth Tremulant Mixture II
16' Bombarde Mixture III 8' Harmonic Trumpet 8' Cromorne
8' Trompette 16' Trompette Octave Tremulant
4' Clairon 8' Trompette Sub Octave 16' Trompette
4' Trompette 8' Trompette
4' Trompette
Choir Octave
Choir Sub Octave
  • School and Chapel architecture in 1837
    School and Chapel architecture in 1837
  • A view of the nave taken from one of the transepts
    A view of the nave taken from one of the transepts
  • The centre aisle, looking towards the altar
    The centre aisle, looking towards the altar
  • The decorative crossing in the Nave
    The decorative crossing in the Nave
  • The organ as seen from the Sanctuary
    The organ as seen from the Sanctuary
  • The pedal board of the St. Peter's Organ
    The pedal board of the St. Peter's Organ
  • The Adoration of the Sacred Heart by Harry Clarke
    The Adoration of the Sacred Heart by Harry Clarke
  • The elaborately carved tympanum above the main entrance
    The elaborately carved tympanum above the main entrance
  • A capital in the Nave
    A capital in the Nave

References

  1. ^ http://www.dublindiocese.ie/
  2. ^ St Peters Dublin www.vincentians.ie
  3. ^ A History Of Cabra And Phibsborough, Bernard Neary
  4. ^ Dictionary of Organs and Organists
  5. ^ "Pipeworks from the Organ Loft 2.0 - Dr Carole O'Connor", YouTube, retrieved 28 February 2024

Media related to St. Peter's Church Phibsborough, Dublin at Wikimedia Commons