WAR MEMORIAL - Pepper Canister · Web viewTHE Greek word from which “martyr” is derived can be translated into English by the word “witness”. No account of the Parish would

St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4

St Stephen’s Church

Upper Mount Street

© 1975 S.G. Poyntz Archdeacon of Dublin © 2005 Layout Patrick Hugh Lynch, BA.A (Hons) UCD


INTORDUCTION.......................................................................................................................5ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................................................................................6MEDIEVAL ST. STEPHEN’S......................................................................................................7

Origin.................................................................................................................................7Boundary............................................................................................................................7Endowment.........................................................................................................................7Graveyard..........................................................................................................................7Demise................................................................................................................................8Legacy................................................................................................................................8

THE CHURCH..........................................................................................................................8St. Peter’s Union................................................................................................................9Consecration......................................................................................................................9Church’s Fabric.................................................................................................................9Architect.............................................................................................................................9Location............................................................................................................................10

EDUCATION...........................................................................................................................10RECTORS...............................................................................................................................10

18l8-1851, John Torrens, M.A., Archdeacon of Dublin...................................................101841 Reginald Courtenay.............................................................................................10

1851-64 John West, D.D., , Archdeacon of Dublin..........................................................111864-1883, William Lee, D.D., Archdeacon of Dublin....................................................11

Education..................................................................................................................11Choral Society..............................................................................................................12

1883-1908. James Hornidge Walsh, D.D.,......................................................................121885 Education.............................................................................................................131885 Social Care..........................................................................................................131887 Organ Installation................................................................................................141889..............................................................................................................................141894 Church Lads’ Brigade.........................................................................................141896 Parochial Hall.....................................................................................................141897 - 1905 James George Carleton............................................................................161898 - 1903 Charles Herbert Pownall Price.................................................................161903 - 1907 Thomas Arnold Harvey...........................................................................161906 - 1914 Henry Ballincarrig Dobbs........................................................................17

1908-35. Harvey Stewart, M.A.,.......................................................................................171908 Boys Brigade.......................................................................................................171916 - 1927 John Ernest Leonard Oulton....................................................................17

Robert Donald Macrory...........................................................................................18Mortimer O’Sullivan................................................................................................18Lewen Burton Weldon.............................................................................................18

1919..............................................................................................................................191924 Church’s Centenary, Sunday, 7th December......................................................19

Service Details..........................................................................................................19Sermon.....................................................................................................................19Legacy......................................................................................................................19Traditions.................................................................................................................20Strengths...................................................................................................................20


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4Church Music...........................................................................................................20Influences.................................................................................................................20Devotion...................................................................................................................20Social Change...........................................................................................................20Social Activity..........................................................................................................21Conclusion................................................................................................................21

Education......................................................................................................................211935-1952 William Thomas Grey, M.A...........................................................................221952-59 Charles Trevelyan Aubrey Carter, M.A.............................................................23

Education......................................................................................................................231959-67 Samuel Greenfield Poyntz, M.A, B.D., Ph.D.....................................................23

1962 Organ Dry Rot.....................................................................................................241963 Organ Restoration...............................................................................................24

1968-69 Ernon Cope Todd Perdue, B.A., B.D., M.Ed.....................................................24Education......................................................................................................................25Parish reorgnaization....................................................................................................25

POSTSCRIPT...........................................................................................................................25ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS..........................................................................................................25INTRODUCTORY NOTE...........................................................................................................27MEMORIAL WINDOWS..........................................................................................................27

Revd. David Elrington......................................................................................................27Rev. Robert Alexander Hamilton.....................................................................................27Tufnell family...................................................................................................................27Henry Cope Colles...........................................................................................................28Frederick William Leeper................................................................................................28Rev. C. A. Williamson, M.A..............................................................................................28Rt. Hon. Edward Gibson 1st Baron Ashbourne...............................................................28George Augustus Chichester May....................................................................................28George Chichester May K.C............................................................................................29Hon. Judge Townshend....................................................................................................29

INTERIOR...............................................................................................................................29Lighting............................................................................................................................29Furniture..........................................................................................................................30Lectern..............................................................................................................................30Pulpit................................................................................................................................30Prayer desk.......................................................................................................................30Chancel............................................................................................................................30Reredos.............................................................................................................................30Communion Table cross...................................................................................................31Communion Plate.............................................................................................................31Kingham Chalice..............................................................................................................31Baptismal Shell.................................................................................................................31Carpets.............................................................................................................................31Frontals............................................................................................................................31

WAR MEMORIAL..................................................................................................................31CHOIR...................................................................................................................................34

Choristers.........................................................................................................................34Charles Stanford...........................................................................................................34Arthur Oulton...............................................................................................................34


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4ORGAN..................................................................................................................................34

Original............................................................................................................................34John Snetzler................................................................................................................34

Organists..........................................................................................................................35Edward Bunting...........................................................................................................35Dr. William Henry Gater..............................................................................................35Legacy..........................................................................................................................35

Memorial..................................................................................................................35Successors................................................................................................................36

Specification.....................................................................................................................36Great Organ..................................................................................................................36Swell Organ..................................................................................................................36Accessories...................................................................................................................37

Chronology...........................................................................................................................37


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4IntroductionTHE Greek word from which “martyr” is derived can be translated into English by the word

“witness”. No account of the Parish would be complete without some reference to the many

sided activities associated with it. Four factors deserve special mention.

St. Stephen’s now stands in a commercial area of the city. The open church door, the tolling

of the bell, the sight of one, two and more people going up the eight steps which lead into the

church is an encouragement to men and women living and working in a dying world to enter,

rest, reflect and renew in prayer. The graceful copula, silhouetted by day and night points the

passer-by heavenward. It was once said that St. Stephen’s was holding up the business life of

the area. It was not spoken as a compliment. The speaker meant that the Church was an

embarrassment tthe traffic situated in the middle of the road leading from Merrion Square to

Percy Place, But we think that there was a truth in the criticism which the speaker did not

realise. It is the function of the Church to “hold up” the life of a city, to sustain it morally and

spiritually, to bring the light of God to bear on its problems and concerns. This has been the

primary, witness of this Church. May it be so for the next stretch of the road. Down the years

a number of organisations and clubs have been the handmaid of the Church. None of the

organisations which came into existence in the nineteenth century has survived.



Acknowledgements

I am indebted to W. Eliwood Post’s Saints, Signs and Symbols (S.P.C.K.) for the symbol of

St. Stephen on the cover of this publication. The symbol evidently of French origin is

displayed at Dijon. The three stones refer to the manner of his death and the palm to his

spiritual victory. A gold palm branch and silver stones on a red field constitute a suitable

symbol for the first martyr of the Christian Church. Much information concerning clergymen

mentioned is quoted from an unpublished book by Canon J. B. Leslie D.Lit. and the

copyright belongs to the Representative Church Body Library, Rathgar, Dublin. A

parishioner of St. Ann’s, Miss Sheila Baker, typed most of the MSS and for this I am

grateful. Mention must be made of the members of St. Stephen’s Select Vestry for without

their encouragement and support this book would not now be available. To Mr. Brittain of the

Leinster Leader and all who helped in its production the parish offers its thanks,

S.G. POYNTZ All Saints’ Day, 1974. St. Stephen’s Church



Medieval St. Stephen’s

OriginWHEN King John ordered the union of Diocese of Glendalough with that of Dublin he stipulated that out of the finances of the Bishopric a religious house should be founded. It is said that Archbishop Henry made a decree for a hospital to be founded on the sea shore of the Steyne which was to be maintained with certain lands and endowments including the Church of Delgany and its chapels under the patronage of the Archbishop of Dublin. It is reasonable to suppose that the Archbishop settled for a more modest plan, opening a refuge for lepers on the Steyne. Soon afterwards it was transferred to where the Mercer’s Hospital stands today and was dedicated to St. Stephen. However, its influence lingered on at the Steyne—for the area to become known as Leper’s or Lazer’s Hill—a name only changed as late as the end of the eighteenth ceBtury to Townsend Street.

The Leper Hospital can be traced back to 1224 where it is mentioned in the Papal Bull of Gregory, quoted in the Registry of All Hallows. There are also early references to it in Trinity College Mss and in the Corporation Assembly Rolls1

In Stanihurst’s description of Dublin we find that St. Stephen’s “was erected for an hospitall for poore lame and impotent lazars, where they alide to this daie (1584) although not in such chast and sincere wise as the founder’s will was upon the erection thereof. The Major with his brethren on St. Stephen his daie which is one of them station daies, repaireth thereto and there dooth offer”. The rights and privileges enjoyed by the Mayor and Corporation appear to have been jealously guarded for they once refused Archbishop Allen the right of visitation.

BoundaryThis foundation with a chapel and graveyard and other property roughly extended from Wicklow Street to Cuffe Street and this probably constituted the parish area. It was administered by a Custos or Guardian appointed by the Corporation who not infreqaentiy was a clergyman. If the person appointed were a layman he was bound to provide a chaplain. The first known Custos is Geoffrey de St. Michael in 1334. Another Custos was John Scrop, a layman, who successfully’contended that he was only bound to provide a Chaplain on St. Stephen’s Day, when the Mayor came and offered. A list of custos or guardians is appended.

EndowmentIn 1390 Elena Morton endowed the hospital with certain tithes which came from the monastery Del Hogges in Dame Street, three acres of land near the chapel and a church at Ballybogher in Taney Rural Deanery which became known as Leperstown (wrongly changed to Leopardstown). So today when the Leper’s Hospital and the dreaded disease has disappeared from our city, the memory lingers in the south County of Dublin.

GraveyardThe churchyard of St. Stephen’s was still in use in 1686, probably for the burials of the poor. A few extracts from the burial register are apposite:“A poore man and two poore girls bur. in St. Steph’’s Churchyard. Monday, November, 1st.”

1 For these quotations and extracts see The Records of St. Bride’s Parish—Succession of Clergy in St. Bride’ and St. Michael Le Role ‘1884


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4“A poore disbanded soldier who dyed in the street, bur. Tuesday, November, 23rd. in St. Stephnl’s Churchyard.”“One executed bur. in St. Steph’s Churchyard, Wednesday, November, the 24th; the fees remitted.”

Archaeologists have argued, following the discovery of an unglazed earthenware urn dug up in the neighbourhood, that the site occupied by the old Leper Hospital had been a cremation cemetery in the pre Christian smooth stone period. There is no doubt that this urn, presently in the Museum of Trinity College, Dublin connects St. Stephen’s with a very remote antiquity2, ().

DemiseThe hospital was closed in the seventeenth century by the Cromwellians. In 1665 the churchyard was walled in and, by Act of Council in 1682, St. Stephen’s was “forever hereafter enclosed up and preserved from all common and profane uses”. It is likely that it was demolished between 1682 and 1698 and the parochial area divided between St. Bride’s, St. Peter’s and subsequently St. Ann’s. The hospital was rebuilt as Mercer’s Hospital by Madame Mary Mercer in 1734 and continues to this day, giving a fine service to the community.

LegacyCertainly the Leper Hospital of St. Stephen can be traced back to 1224 and it gave its name to Stephen’s Street, Stephen’s Court, St. Stephen’s Green, and St. Stephen’s Church in Mount Street Crescent.

The ChurchDUBLIN in 1824 was a city of turnpikes, tolls, lotteries, mail coaches and caravans. Parliamentary debates tell us that in the six parish churches in the city the average number at Morning Prayer was 9,800, while those who communicated monthly numbered about 1,100, increasing on Festivals to nearly 7,000. The weekly collections in the six churches amounted to £2,236, The two cathedrals were crowded (“The congregations . . . only limited by accomodation”). Collections varied between £2,000 and £3,000. It was the hey day of charity sermons, and the sum of £2,000.was realized in the five city churches.

The Lord Lieutenant was the Marquis Wellesley, the Lord Mayor of Dublin was Richard Smith, the Recorder Sir Jonas Greene, and the Governor of the Bank of Ireland, Nathaniel Hone. The Very Rev. Richard Ponsonby was Dean of St.. Patrick’s. Sahiuel Bagster was announcing the publication of Bibles, Prayer Books and the Psalter in foreign languages. Thomas Moore’s songs were just appearing with music by H. R. Bishop. Tea was 7s. 6d. a ib, while whiskey could be had at 8s. 6d. a gallon. Major Sirr was in office at Dublin Castle and the Limerick Caravan announced it would leave at 9 a.m., “dineand sleep” at Mountrath and arrive at Limerick next day at 3 p.m. Bank stock stood at 259 in December 1824 and one of the directors was Arthur Guinness who lived at Beaumont. Drumcondra; Dublin University was represented in Parliament by W.G. Plunkett, the city by Sir R. Shaw and Thomas Ellis and the county by T. W. Talbot and Thomas White. Henry Grattan (following the principles of his father) and Richard Steele were both issuing addresses for support at the next election. Bishops in the Church of Ireland had salaries of £5,000 per year. Such then were the times when the newly finished church dedicated to the first martyr was consecrated.2 Mss. letter by Professor McAllister, see St. Bride’s Records


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4St. Peter’s UnionSince 1790 the residents of the squares and streets of the rapidly expanding Fitzwilliam estate had asked for a church to be erected in their neighbourhood. However thirty years elapsed before the Select Vestry of St. Peter’s agreed to the project, and in 1821 plans were prepared for a Chapel of Ease to the Mother Church. Thus St. Stephen’s Church became yet another building in the vast Parish of St. Peter’s Union which also contained St. Kevin’s, Sandford, Rathmines, Rathfarnham, Taney and Booterstown. The parish stretched from the Three Rock Mountain to Dublin Bay, and from Sandyford to the gates of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.The first chaplain to the new Chapel of Ease was the Rev. W. Bourne who was also at that time Vicar of St. Andrew’s Church, Archdeacon John Torrens M.A. who lived at Newtown, Rathfarnham, (then incumbent of St. Peter’s Union) having undertaken to provide two curates for the new church. Torrens had at that time eleven Assistant-Curates serving with him which he allocated as follows: St. Peter’s 2 Curates; St. Stephen’s 2 Curates; Rathfarnham 2 Curates; Donnybrook 2 Curates; St. Kevin’s 1 Curate; Rathmines 1 Curate and Tawney (Taney) 1 Curate.

ConsecrationSt. Stephen’s Church, Mount Street Crescent, known affectionately to generations of citizens as the “pepper cannister” or “pepper pot” is one of Dublin’s familiar landmarks. The Church was consecrated on Sunday 5th December, 1824, by the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Rev. William Magee, D.D. According to the report in The Dublin Correspondent, the Archbishop, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Radcliffe, Vicar General, the Archdeacon and the Reverend Attendants and Ministers arrived at the church door. Having complied with the customary form without, they passed down the centre of the church and performed the usual ceremonials of offering up the consecration prayers and reading and signing the licence for the celebration of Divine Worship in that church according to the form of the Liturgy of the Established Church. Psalm 108 was sung by the choir augmented by some of the gentlemen from Christ Church Cathedral. The Archbishop preached on a text from Psalm 122. The account continued “His Grace, with his usual impressiveness and unaffected piety dwelt for one hour and five minutes on the necessity of attending Public Worship, on its advantages, on its healing influence upon the Christian mind and on the manifold exciting effects which it is capable of creating, the better enabling us to pass from a sublunary to a celestial state”. It was further stated that “His Grace’s sermon was indeed a masterpiece of eloquence, and was equally marked by the true spirit of divinity and pure style of classic composition, for which he has been so eminently distinguished.” The correspondent noted that the interior of the church was extremely commodious, light and agreeable, the gallery extensive and adorned by an excell-ently toned organ, furnished in the newest taste. The collection made on the occasion amounted to a considerable sum. This account of the opening concludes with the observation that “the attendance, as might have been expected, was excessively numerous”.

Church’s Fabric

ArchitectThe church was designed by John Bowden, and completed after his death by Joseph Welland at a cost of £5,169. Bowden made a reputation by designing courthouses around the countryside. He was also architect to the Board of Education. It is possible that he was a relative of James Bowden, a carpenter who flourished in Dublin about the turn of the century.


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4LocationThe church was built on a site given free by the Pembroke Estate which also made a contribution of £700. towards the building. Today the church makes a notable contribution to an almost perfect Georgian vista, enclosing the magnificent vista from Dail Eireann in Upper Merrion Street along Merrion Square and Upper Mount Street. Its main order is taken from the Erectheum. The portico is of the Ionic order. Over the pediment rises a belfry tower, which is of an octagonal form. The tower and dome are copies from Athenian models and rise to 100 feet. The body of the church measures 111 feet by 49 feet. It has been criticised because, being on an island, “it presents its unornamented side walls indecently to view”. However, there are those who believe that these walls make a favourable contrast with that of the front,

EducationToday education is uppermost in people’s minds because man sees education as the great ally in the defeat of poverty and disease. It is everybody’s business because it is highly subsided by the tax-payer. It should be everyone’s business for nobler reasons than financial, for it involves everything that life involves. This concern has been keenly felt by the Church down the centuries. Indeed it was the Christian Church which pioneered education in this country—very often with little or no help from governments in the early days. During the nineteenth century many parishes were indebted to benefactors who helped substantially to supply buildings and funds available for educational purposes. St. Stephen’s Parish was no exception. Home, Church and School can be referred to as the three legged stool upon which Christian teaching rests and we think the illustration a good one, Within the usual framework it is probable that the school comes , last into the picture, for the child has certainly spent four or five years in the home and one would hope in the worshipping community of the local church before going to school. Nevertheless, the school and its atmosphere, though they may appear last on the horizon and time may be short, plays an important role in shaping the character and outlook of the child.

RectorsNo Incumbent of St. Stephen’s Parish has become a Bishop. Three curates, however, have been called to this office in the Church of God in widely different places. A scrutiny of the list of the assistant clergy will show that a large number of them left the Church of Ireland to exercise a ministry in England during the period from the Disestablishment of the Church of Ireland until the end of World War I.. Possibly this was due to the suspicion that there existed at St. Stephen’s Church “a nest of Puseyites” (the phrase was used), and many found it difficult to obtain a living in Ireland.

18l8-1851, John Torrens, M.A., Archdeacon of Dublin.Rector at the same time of Narraghmore, Co. Kildare. His portrait can be seen in the Chapter House of Christ Church Cathedral.

1841 Reginald CourtenayWho was Bishop of Kingston, Jamaica 1856-79. John Dowden became an ecclesiastical historian ,antiquarian and hiturgiologist of international repute. He was Bishop of Edinburgh 1886-1910 and the author of a number of works including The Celtic Church in Scotland (1894,) The Workmanship of The Prayer Book, The Medieval Church in Scotland, (1910,) editor of The Annotated Scottish Communion Office. As a result of the Disestablishment Act, clergymen of the Church of Ireland could resign and move to England or elsewhere and be


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4covered by a “golden handshake” to use a modern terminology. Very few availed of this right. The majority put their trust in the untried Representative Church Body. One of those who did “compound” was John Dowden but to his credit he handed over the sum of £2,031 l5s 8d (no small sum in those days) to the R.B. for the benefit of the Parish of St. Stephen. John Dowden while at St. Stephen’s engaged in an exchange of letters with a number of parishioners over his continued use of an old lectionary when a new one had been sanctioned for use. The first of these letters dates from the 4th December, 1873. They were subsequently printed for private circulation (now available at R.C.B. Library).

1851-64 John West, D.D., , Archdeacon of Dublin.Dean of St. Patrick’s, 1864. Died 1890. His portrait hangs in St. Patrick’s Deanery. In 1861 St. Stephen’s Parochial Schools opened their doors for the first time on a site in Northumberland Road given by the Earl of Pembroke. The very early days of the si, ool are shrouded in mystery as records do not appear to be available stating what the building cost—who built it—the number of pupils, and who paid for it. It is reasonable to suppose that the Earl of Pembroke made a major contribution towards the cost.

1864-1883, William Lee, D.D., Archdeacon of Dublin.Author of The Inspiration of the Holy Scripture,’ Introductory Lectures on Ecclesiastical History; An Essay on Miracles,’ a commentary on the Revelation of St. John (in Speaker’s commentary). A volume of his sermons was published after his death. As a result of the Irish Church Disestablishment Act 1869 and with the death of Archdeacon Lee, St. Stephen’s Church, together with a number of other churches in the Union of St. Peter’s, became an independent parish. Since Disestablishment, the title of Rector has been commonly given to the Incumbent. There were five rectors of St. Stephen’s Parish between 1883 and 1967. St. Stephen’s Parish Reports from 1865 constantly refer to the Parochial Schools e.g. in that year it was stated that there were 66 boys, 53 girls’ and 75 infants on roll, making a total of 194. It was also noted that £73 15s 2d was still required to pay off the debt upon the building and the hope was expressed that this would be cleared in the near future.

EducationBy 1865 there was a Sunday School flourishing with 104 boys, 120 girls totalling 224. The average attendance was unusually large. It met at 10 a.m. By 1880 it was admitted that the attendance at the Boys’ School was not as large as it ought to be and that there was a need for more Sunday School teachers. The attendance at the Girls’ Sunday School was good. In 1881 an additional Sunday School was held at 3.30 p.m. which was attended by some 40 children (the beginnings of Sunday afternoon Children’s Service?). The Annual Parish Report for that year noted that the establishment of the second Sunday School was made possible by the change of hour of Evening Service from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.—”a change which has had the effect of bringing to our church many of the Parishioners who seldom or never attended it before”.

A resolution of the Easter General Vestry 1878, placed the schools under the Board of National Education, Marlborough Street. Religious instruction continue4 to be given as heretofore while the secular teaching was “conducted with more system and in accordance with the directors of the Inspector appointed by the Board”. The grant allowed by the Board was deemed to be inadequate to meet the salaries of the teachers or the other expenses


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4connected wilh the schools. In 1878 Mrs. Ewing resigned as Mistress, in the Girls’ School and received a gratuity of £30 from the Select Vestry. She was succeeded by Miss Wheatley. It would appear that at that time all was not going well as regards “order and discipline” in the Boys’ School. However, the Report for 1880 stated that there was now reason to hope that the school will be of even greater benefit to the parish than it has hitherto been. A gratuity of £50 was paid to Mr. Woodley who retired after years of long service.

A Conveyance dated 14th July, 1883 authorized that “a School House for the use of the Parish of Saint Stephen’s in connection with the Church of Ireland has been erected and now stands upon a certain plot of ground the property of the saind Right Honorable George Robert Charles, Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery situated at Northumberland Road in the Parish of Saint Stephen’s, Pembroke Township and County of Dublin . . .“ and that “He the said Right Honorable George Robert Charles, Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery doth grant unto the said Representative Church Body their successors and assigns all that piece or plot of ground situate on the North East side of Northumberland Road in the Parish of Saint Stephen’s Pembroke Township and County of Dublin upon which the said schools have been erected . . . provided that at no time hereafter shall the said premises or any part thereof be made use of for any purpose or purposes other than for such schools and the recreation ground connected with the said School for the said Parish.

Choral SocietyBegan in 1878 giving concerts, raised money for a variety of objects including the Organ Fund. The Temperance Society which in 1885 had an enrolment of 406 including the Band of Hope combined anti-alcohol principles with a strong religious fervour. The Young Men’s Communicant Class and the Young Women’s Communicant Class held weekly meetings as did the Dorcas,

1883-1908. James Hornidge Walsh, D.D., Born at Calverston, Tyrellspass, 13th April, 1837. He had a long connection with St. Stephen’s Church. in 1870 he became Prebend of Croagh, in Limerick Cathedral; in 1884 he became Assistant to the Regius Professor of Divinity. He was Rural Dean of St. Peter’s. Ordained in 1860, Dr. Walsh commenced his clerical career at Dundrum where he was curate. A ‘year later he moved to Adare, as curate. in 1864, he was back in Dublin as curate of St. Stephen’s, only to return to Limerick Diocese two years later as Rector of Chapel Russell, In 1871 he was again at St. Stephen’s Dublin, where he remained until he became Incumbent in 1883. Prior to his ordination he was a Scholar of Trinity College and graduated with a Senior Moderatorship in Classics. He was awarded the Archbishop King’s Divinity Prize. Two years later he won a Theological Exhibition, He was successively M.A. (1864), B.D. (1872), and D.D. (1876). He was Chaplain to the Bishop of Limerick and the Archbishop of Dublin. Dr. Walsh became a Canon of Christ Church in 1893, and was Dean from 1908-18.

“A courtly old gentleman of a type that was fast disappearing, not less learned in the Classics than in Theology, of whom one felt that, whatever else he read on retiring, a few odes of Horace or a portion of Virgil were not omitted. He showed a fine literary, discernment, I think, in his choice of a passage for translation into Latin in my Deacon’s Orders Examination by setting the sentences at the graveside in the Order for Burial: ‘Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up, and is cut down like a flower; he fleeth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay. . .‘. He


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4was very kind to me and only twice did I fall under his condemnation. Once for laying too strong emphasis on a word in a collect, and next for supporting a resolution at a vestry meeting calling for a wider range of youth activities in the parish, of which he was not in favour. His motto, I think was “pas de zéle”, no enthusiasm, it only created confusion. All the same, he arranged for two missions to be held in the jarish during my almost five years there to arouse the parish from somnolence”. (Bishop T. A. Harvey, Memories of a Dublin Parish, Irish Times, 1965). Dean Walsh was married and had three children, Janet Mary Fitzgerald (Mrs. Townsend), James Francis Fitzgerald, B.A. (died 1 9Q3), and Maurice Fitzgerald.

1885 EducationBy the Educational Endowments (Ireland) Act 1885 the property of St. Stephen’s Schools together with many other Parochial Schools in Dublin and elsewhere were vested in the Dublin Glendalough and Kildare Diocesan Board of Education. That year there were on roll 70 Boys, 80 Girls and 120 Infants, total 270. During 1886, £250 was spent on improvements to the Parish School House which appears to have been sadly deficient at that time. In 1892 there were 307 children on rolls—probably the highest peak in numbers achieved in its one hundred or 50 years of life as a Parochial School,

1885 Social CareAs far back as 1885 there was a bed set apart in Sir Patrick Dun’s Hospital especially for the sick poor of the parish and £25 was raised annually, the estimated cost of maintenance. A plate with the words “St. Stephen’s Parish” was on the wall of a ward in that hospital until recent times. There has been for many years a number of hospitals and nursing homes within the parochial district which have made considerable demands on the ministry of the clergy of the parish. With the amalgamation of St. Ann and St. Stephen the number of such institutions greatly increased. A large number of doctors still consult in the Baggot Street and Fitzwilliam areas. An Annual Service for Hospitals is held in October around St. Lukes-tide at which several hundreds of people attend. One member of the clerical staff of the group whose salary is almost entirely met by St. Stephen’s ministers to the sick in the many hospitals, nursing homes and institutions of the district. The Provident Society which claimed that more than £100 was deposited by its members with it in 1884 and the Mutual Benefit Society was some 80 strong in 1900. In a day when there was little social security, societies like these were a boon to many people. Of all the words one might select to describe the organisations, clubs and societies which have served the parish over the past hundred years and more, variety is perhaps the most appropriate. Each was raised up for a specific purpose—some had a long, others a short life. A number are still happily active encouraging worship and witness. Towards the end of the 20th century, a Ladies Working Party met regularly at 10 Herbert Stree’t “to help the Universities’ Mission in Central Africa by gifts of clothing specially made for the native converts”. Today there is still a Ladies Working Party which under the leadership of the Misses Edna and Eileen Brown knit and sew to stock St. Stephen’s Stall at the Annual Sale of Work in aid of the Dublin University Mission to Chota Nagpur. A notable effort is made year by year to support the Leprosy Mission by phials and subscriptions, which owes much to Miss H. Wilmot, the local Hon. Secretary. By prayer and correspondence an effort is made to keep in touch with the Church overseas.

1887 Organ InstallationThe Annual Report for the year 1887, states that of all parochial needs the most urgent is that of a new organ. From time to time repairs had been made in the instrument and every effort had been made to prolong its existence. “But it has now reached the stage at which no amount


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4of repair can do permanent good. It is in fact quite worn out and has been pronounced by competent judges to be incurable. It is therefore hoped that parishioners will take immediate steps to replace it by a new instrument. Estimates have been obtained from some of the leading firms of Organ Builders. It is agreed among them, with singular unanimity, that an instrument suitable to the Church cannot be had for less than £800. This no doubt is a large sum; but it is surely not beyond the power of the Parish to make such an offering to the glory of God and the praise of His Holy Name. It is accordingly proposed to open a subscription list for this object. One gentleman has already promised £50. If five or six were to follow his example, and if the Parish generally joined in the contribution in a liberal spirit, the amount required would be quickly provided. It should be added that it is intended to utilise the case and some of the pipes and stops of the existing organ, and that the estimates have been made on this supposition”.

1889The Annual Report for 1889 records that Dr. Gater prepared the specification of the new organ and that the instrument was dedicated on 6th December with a Service of Thanksgiving and Rejoicing. A list of subscribers was published showing that £823.18s.6d. had been donated. The actual cost of the instrument was £800 and the old organ. As is usual there were extras such as the “preparation of the chamber underneath the organ for the reception of the hydraulic apparatus by which it is supplied with wind”. These extras were met by funds at the disposal of the Select Vestry. When virtually the new organ was installed in 1889—a four manual instrument by Peter Conacher and Co. Ltd., of Huddersfleld, lip service was paid to Snetzler by retaining his fine case and a few ranks of pipes (but only a small fraction of the original total of Snetzler pipes). Most of the original buffet or display pipes were retained in the case. It is reasonable to suppose that the instrument was removed from the gallery to the East End at this time.

1894 Church Lads’ BrigadeHad become one of the regular parochial organisations with the Rev. H. C. Browne as Captain and with Raymond Smith, J. F. O’Brien, Wynn Posnett and John Holmes as Lieutenants. Within a year or so there was a company of 55—35 full members and 20 members of the Junior Squad. St. Stephen’s C.L.B. became the 10th Dublin Company the Boys’ Brigade on the 6th December, 1906 with the Rector Canon J. H. Walsh, D.D. as President. The Captain and Chaplain was the Rev. Thomas Arnold Harvey, B.D. (later to become Bishop of Cashel), with R. J. Colgan and C. Carry at Lieutenants. Thirty boys enrolled.

1896 Parochial HallSocial organisations seem to have been virtually unknown in the Parish before the Disestablishment era. However the Annual Reports of the 1880s provide evidence that social and recreational activities such as the Temperance Society, the Y.M.C.A., the Provident Society and the annual Flower Show and Industrial Exhibition were making demands upon the school in after-school hours. More organisations such as the Church Lads’ Brigade, the G.F.S. and others were to follow. Soon leaders of organisations and the Parish as a whole realised that a Parochial Hall would be an invaluable asset offering a more permanent home to those concerned with young people and adult education.


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4Accordingly, in 1896 a circular was issued which stated that: “lt has long been felt that a Parochial Hall with Reaing and Recreation Rooms, is urgently required for the Parish. This feeling received formal expression at a meeting of the Parishioners in the Schoolhouse on Monday, May the 17th. At this meeting it was unanimously resolved. . . that a Hall of this nature be erected, as soon as possible on the site in Northumberland Road generously granted for the purpose by the Earl of Pembroke . . . It has been ascertained that the cost of the building will be about £2,000. We earnestly hope that this sum will be shortly forthcoming and that St. Stephen’s, following the example of many other parishes in which the same want has been felt and supplied, will at no distant date provide itself with a Parochial Hall, . .“. The appeal rather smugly continues: “In a large city like ours, where the working classes in particular are beset by so many temptations to what is evil, the value of helps of this kind cannot be overestimated. Such Rooms will be useful and are required for Bible Classes and Communicants’ Meetings”. (A little touch of post-Victorian Pharisaism!) Subscriptions did come in. The foundation stone was laid on 7th April 1899 and by the following year the front portion of the building was completed and in regular use for classes and meetings of various kinds. A beginning had been made with the Library, a handsome book-case donated and some useful books received. On the 27th November, 1901 the Hall and Class Rooms built at a cost of £2,749 16s 8d, was opened by His Grace the Lord Lord Archbishop of Dublin. Mr. Molyneux Barton who had played a leading role in the Building Committee reminded those assembled that there was still some £538 outstanding. Mr. Barton acknowledged that it would be useful for many purposes especially the Church Lads’ Brigade and “he knew that Mr. Browne (curate and captain) was burning with anxiety to furnish it as a Gymnasium”.

The attendance at the opening ceremony included the Rev. Canon Day, Rev. C. 0. H. Mease, Mr. J. J. Twigg, K.C., Dr. Walter Smith, Rev. H. G. Munroe, Rev. Harvey Stewart, Rev. F. C. Hayes, Rev. J. G. Carleton, Miss Oulton, the Misses Carson and others. A plaque, which can be seen in the hall to this day, states that “the Hall was opened by the Archbishop of Dublin, 27th November, 1901. Rev. Canon J. H. Walsh, D.D., Rector, J. F. Fuller, F.S.A., Architect”.

The year following its erection, the Select Vestry took charge of the Hall to all intents and purposes free of debt—such was the measure of support for the latest addition to the parish plant.

The parish now had a building which offered scope for all kinds of activities—committee rooms, library and a large hall which brought together young people for social and educational purposes. Older parishioners will recall concerts of high quality put on by the school children, ably directed by Mr. Sammy Fhinn. With the 1920s and l930s there came the era of Parochial Hall dances and many people can remember pleasant evenings spent at St. Stephen’s Parochial Hall.

The saga of this well appointed building is particularly sad. It had a full but all too short parochial life. By 1937 the Parish was in dire financial trouble going behind at the rate of some £200 p.a. (considered to be an astronomical sum in those days) and the bank threatening to close down on the Parish Funds Account.

The powers that be of those days decided that nothing could be done to save “the sinking ship” but to put the Hall up for auction. By October of that year the sale was completed. For a mere £3,000 the building passed out of Church of Ireland hands. Of the sum realised £2,500 had to be handed over to the Charity Commissioners for investment on behalf of the Parish


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4and the balance of £500 was lodged to Parish Funds to be available for such purposes as the Select Vestry might decide,

Some of the Hall’s equipment was transferred over to the School across the road which was then only partially in use for educational purposes. Lord Herbert gave permission for the use of the Parish School as the Parish Hall of St. Stephen’s Church in addition to its use as the Parish School. So ended an unhappy chapter in the history of the parish which came to an abrupt end.

1897 - 1905 James George CarletonSeverely orthodox, who lectured in the Divinity School of Trinity College for many years. He was deputy to Regius Professor of Divinity 1916-18. He published a number of books including: The Psalter of the Church and contributed to Hasting’s Dictionary of Religion and Ethics. Bishop Arnold Harvey in his Memories of a Dublin Parish tells of the days when both Dr. Carleton and he were on the staff of the parish at the same time. One Sunday Morning Carleton’s sermon consisted in a relentless exposure of the errors preached by the younger Harvey on the subject of the Holy Trinity on the previous Sunday. Such were the life and times.

1898 - 1903 Charles Herbert Pownall PriceIt was written: “A brilliant intellect but at that time, a storm tossed soul—though he afterwards attained serenity—acutely conscious of the difficulties of belief. Some years later he became a Canon of Christ Church and St. Patrick’s in turn. He took immense pains over sermon composition, sitting by the fireside with a pot of tea beside him and a kettle on the hob from which he replenished it again and again. His style was faintly redolent of Walter Pater to whose Marius the Epicurean he introduced me but he found solace in the poetry of Robert Browning with its robust faith and he would insist on reading it aloud to me on our return to our rooms late on Sunday evening after a long day’s work, and was furious when I invariably fell asleep” (Bishop T. A. Harvey Memories of a Dublin Parish, Irish Times 1965). Then there was Henry Lyttleton Lyster Denny (afterwards Sir Henry Denny)—a keen genealogist, and known by some of the ladies as “Dainty Denny”. “He was a regular visitor at the ViceRegel levees in the Castle, meticulous as regards dress and made his rounds of visiting in a dress coat and top hat, white gloves and a gold headed cane”. (Bishop T. A. Harvey, Memories of a Dublin Parish, Irish Times 1965).

1903 - 1907 Thomas Arnold Harvey Was elected Bishop of Cashel 1935. Earlier in his career he had been Incumbent of Booterstown 1916-33; a Canon of St. Patrick’s 1930-33 and Dean of St. Patrick’s 1933; He was Bishop of Cashel 1935-58. An outstanding sportsman, he was a triple Irish International. capped for Ireland in Rugby 1901-1903, Athletics and Cricket. Sporting enthusiasts maintained that there was no more wonderful sight than to witness Arnold Harvey hurdling in College Park. He achieved the distinction of getting’ the great cricketer, W. G. Grace out—caught and bowled for duck in College Park.

1906 - 1914 Henry Ballincarrig DobbsLater Precentor of St. Patrick’s 1949-52——an arresting preacher especially when he got worked up. Many bought the Dublin parochial magazine, Our Church Review, first and foremost to read his notes written for his people at Blackrock, but always of wider interest.


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4One could go on talking of the saintly Harry Harriss who became Chancellor of Christ Church—author of Refreshment from the Poets and Draw near with Faith or Jack MacDonagh, Irish Hockey International who married Miss Barbara Sullivan, ‘i1aughter of the Archdeacon of Dublin, and many others.

All these were honoured by their contemporariesAnd were the glory of their day,Some of them left a name behind themSo that their praises are still sung,While others have left no memory . .(Ecclesiasticus 44:7-8 Jerusalem Bible).

1908-35. Harvey Stewart, M.A., He graduated from Trinity College, Dublin as a B.A. (1881), M.A. (1894). in 1882 he was awarded 2nd Prize in Biblical Greek. Ordained deacon for St. Stephen’s Parish in 1883, he was a curate to the newly appointed rector Dr. J. H. Walsh. He was priested in 1885. While at St. Stephen’s he was made a Minor Canon of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and held this office 1892-5. After being Vicar of All Saints, Blackrock 1898-1908, he returned to St. Stephen’s where he was Rector 1908-1935. In 1926 he was appointed Archdeacon of Dublin. He resigned as Archdeacon in 1934. Earlier (1923-1926) he had been Precentor of Christ Church Cathedral. His outstanding characteristics were a simple humility and a real sense of caring for his people. When he was made a Canon and later when appointed Archdeacon of the Diocese, he always insisted that his staff and people call him “Rector” for his parish and his people mattered more to him than any dignity or title. Archdeacon Stewart was married and had three children, Dr. Charles and Dr, Frederick (eminent radiologist in South Africa) and Rebecca (Mrs .R. Bucknall).

1908 Boys BrigadeIn 1908 Rev. Harvey Stewart as Rector became President and inevitably there were changes, William H. Carry became Captain with J. A. Howe and Joseph McCracken as Lieutenants. The company’s strength increased to 4 N.C.O’s and 31 boys and was now taking an active part in Battalion events. The Company was fortunate in having keen Chaplains. Two in particular were very active, the Rev. H. B. Dobbs, M.A. and Rev. W. G. Elliott who took a keen interest in Battalion work. The session 1915/16 saw the Company reaching its peak with 4 officers, 7 N.C.O’s and 44 boys.

1916 - 1927 John Ernest Leonard OultonThe outstanding intellectual giant a cousin of the Oulton family of Upper Mount Street, with a long connection with the Parish. An acknowledged Patristic scholar, as Regius Professor of Divinity in Trinity College, Dr. Oulton shaped the outlook of generations of Divinity students— some destined to leadership not only in the Church of Ireland but in churches all over the world, A shy man, those who knew him were impressed by his serenity, his intense loyalty to the Church of Ireland and those sermons which ended with the unanswered question. In a brilliant career he became a Scholar of the House, was awarded Bishop Berkeley Medal and the Vice-Chancellor’s Medal. He was a Senior Moderator in Classics and Modern Literature. A prolific writer he was author of The Credal Statements of S. Patrick,’ Holy Communion and Holy Spirit,’ Alexandrian Christ!anity (with H. Chadwick); The Mystery of the Cross,’ Rufinus’s Translation of the Church History of Eusebius; The Apostles’ Creed and Belief concerning the Church,’ “Clement of Alexandria and the Didache” (in Journal of


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4Theological Studies, 1929, 1938 and 1940); The Holy Spirit, Baptism, and Laying on of Hands in Acts (in Expository Times, 1955); The Roman See in the Fourth and Fifth Centuries (St. Patrick Com. Booklets); William Reeves, Bishop, Scholar, Antiquary,—A Memorial Discourse,’ The Study of Divinity in Trinity College, since the Foundation,’ ‘The Chester Beatty Biblical Papyri; Confirmation. Contributor to the Standard History of the Church of Ireland. Joint Editor (with H. J. Lawlor) of Eusebius, The Ecclesiastical History of the Martyrs of Palestine (2 vols.). Editor of Eusebius, The Ecclesiastical History Books VI to X (Loeb Classical Library); New and Revised Edition of J. H. Bernard’s The Cathedral Church of St. Patrick, Dublin, 1940, further edition, 1951; A. Robinson’s The Church Catechism Explained.

Robert Donald MacroryIn more recent times one might mention one of Dr. Oulton’s students, Robert Donald Macrory who devoted much of his ministry to lecturing theological students at Ely Theological College and Bishop’s College, Cheshunt, England where he became Vice-Principal 1965-68. These are but a few of a long line of men of no mean intellectual gifts.There were others”who combined sound learning with a parochial ministry.

Mortimer O’SullivanWas a skilled controversialist and eloquent preacher. The author of a number of books, he founded the Dublin University Magazine. He became Rector of Killyman (Armagh) 1830-49 and Prebendary of Ballymore (Armagh) 1849-59. William Maturin is one of the great names linked with the Parish of All Saints, Grangegorman and of him, Canon C. E. Osborne, wrote “Dr. Maturin represented the Old Tractarian type in its nobility of character, its high purpose, its stern reality and its clear and logical unworldliness”. Richard Travers Smith was an outstanding personality in Dublin, holding strong Church views which he fearlessly advocated in the General Synod. He was author of a number of books including The Gospel in the Miracles of Christ, Man’s Knowledge of Man and of God. Donnelan Lecturer 1884/5. The Richard Smith Annual Lectures at st. Bartholomew’s Church kept alive his memory and are a public testimony of his work and ministry.

Lewen Burton WeldonA typical example of the “spiritual and brain drain” at that time was Lewen Burton Weldon. He was curate of St. Bartholomew’s, Dublin 1872, and was Select Preacher, Univ. Dublin 1883, 1884-85, 1887-88, 1893-94. Canon Christ Church 1882-87 (while still an Assistant Curate); he went to England in 1887, was Vicar Holy Trinity, Weymouth 1894-1914, Prebendary of Netherby in Salisbury Cathedral 1905-1914. A talented preacher and good debater, he had a musical voice and was a splendid parish clergyman. Then there was Richard Arthur Oulton. Brilliant musician, devoted priest, who harmonised the Londonderry Air, and set it to the hymn “0 Strength and Stay”. Clerical Vicar Choral of York Minster 1918. Contributed a chapter on “Hymn Tunes” to “The Church’s Song” T. S. Lindsay and others (2nd ed. 1920). He died on a visit to Dublin Nov. 4th 1918, his wife Nov. 7th 1918, and infant son on Nov. 8th 1918—all victims of an influenza epidemic.

1919In 1919 the Company under the leadership of Mr. W. H. Carry won the Ardilaun Flag for Company Drill, the Lewis Crosby Shield for Squad Drill, Duckett Cup for football and the Shield for Gymnasium and two members of the Company played football for the Battalion. During a span of 28 years in which “Cap” Carry was at the helm, he was not only devoted to


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4the boys of the 10th Company but also found time to give valuable advice and help to the Battalion. For many years he was Chairman of the Football Committee during which time he arranged with the Liverpool Battalion to send a team to meet a Dublin team which was the beginning of many inter Battalion matches.

1924 Church’s Centenary, Sunday, 7th December The special preacher was the Rt. Rev. Godfrey Day, D.D., Bishop of Ossory, a former neighbour as Vicar of St. Ann’s. On the following day, the Irish Times gave full coverage to the celebrations. In the morning there was

Service DetailsHoly Communion 7.15amCorporate Communion 8amMorning Prayer 10amMatins and Holy Communion 11.30, Preacher being the Bishop.Children’s Service 4pm, when present and former members of the Boys’

Brigade and the Girl Guides were present.Festival Evensong Rector (The Rev. Harvey Stewart, Precentor of Christ

Church) gave an address. There were large congregations, those present at the Services including friends of the Church and former pupils of the schools.

SermonThey had come there that day, said the Bishop, to thank God for the work which had been done in connection with that church during the past 100 years, for the noble and good men who had ministered there, and for the lives that had been redeemed and transformed by the Holy Spirit through their ministry. That day he was made to think of the series of portraits of former rectors and curates of St. Stephen’s that hung in the vestry of the church.

LegacyThere was William Lee, Archdeacon of Dublin, the massive scholar and author, whose great work was ever an inspiration; John Dowden, afterwards Bishop of Edinburgh, an historian and a great authority on liturgical worship; Richard Travers Smith, scholar and saint, a devoted parish priest, whose influence was still a living reality in the Church life of Dublin; and James Hornidge Walsh, afterwards Dean of Christ Church, of whose goodness and kindness he (the Bishop) personally had grateful remembrance’ and who was the friend and pastor of many who still worshipped at St. Stephen’s. There were portraits of others who had received their first training at that church, under the wise and kindly guidance of the present Rector. Some of them were his (the Bishop’s) own friends. They were doing splendid work, and were carrying on the tradition of St. Stephen’s, some of them in England, some in Scotland, and some in the Dublin Diocese. Of those younger men he thought especially of Arthur Oulton, the brilliant musician, the cheery, warm-hearted and devoted priest of God, who had passed through the veil—as so many of those others who laboured so faithfully there at St Stephen’s had passed into the higher, fuller service beyond.

TraditionsHe had spoken in passing of the traditions of St. Stephen’s. Let them now think of what those traditions had been, of what St. Stephen’s had stood for in this City of Dublin for the past one hundred years. It had stood from the very first for sober, moderate, and comprehensive


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4presentation of the faith and doctrine of the church, and it had never been possible to label St. Stephen’s as belonging to any party. There had been churches in Dublin that might have been called “party churches”—churches where the gospel had been preached with great zeal and devotion, but where sometimes the truth had been presented in a narrow or one-sided way, and great stress had been laid on certain doctrines, while other doctrines equally important had been neglected or ignored. But it was the glory of St. Stephen’s that from the very first the Creed of the Church had been presented there in its fullness and its many sidedness, and in its due proportion. The teaching there had been in the highest and best sense of the word Catholic, and the Services in the Church had been in keeping with the teaching—dignified and beautiful.

StrengthsThe Bishop dwelt for a moment on another fault in the Church of Ireland. Only too often, he said, their churches had been bare and ugly, ill-cared for and meagrely equipped. But that, happily, he proceeded, had never been the case with St. Stephen’s. Always a substantial and well-equipped church, as the years passed by it had been adorned and beautified with many pious gifts, which were witnesses of care and devotion which had been lavished on the church—a devotion which was never satisfied with what was mean and common, but which believed that nothing was too costly for the House of God.

Church MusicOf the music—what pains had been taken to render it as reverently and beautifully as possible. It would not be out of place on such a day to say one word of appreciation of the work of the veteran musician, who, for so many years had presided at the organ and trained the choir in that church. In the Services of their church they had a noble inheritance.

InfluencesThey had been thinking that day of the men who ministered there in past years. Would they not resolve, every one of them, in their day and generation to do their part in maintaining and developing what they had received from those who went before them, and handing it on to generations to come, even more complete and beautiful? The best service they could offer to the church to which they belong was to live pure and kindly lives, and to be useful, bringing their religion into the duties of the week,

DevotionWhat influence, asked the Bishop, had the services at St. Stephen’s upon their character and life; were they making them better and more useful men and women? There was a great danger that, to some of the regular Church-goers, religion had become conventional and formal; and those people were quite content with the habit of attending church every Sunday, as if that was an end in itself. Real religion was much more than that; it was a life, a service. Let them never leave without consecrating themselves anew to the Master’s service, without resolving to use the grace and strength which He had given them in loving work for Him.

Social ChangeThe Bishop deplored the changes that have been wrought in the Parish of St. Stephen within recent years. At on; time, he said, St. Stephen was a wealthy parish. The stately Georgian houses in its squares and streets were inhabited by wealthy and influential people. But Dublin had been changing very rapidly of late. There were still prosperous people living in the parish—among them leading barristers, physicians, surgeons, and other professional men—but


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4many of the old Georgian houses now were divided up into flats, some into lodging houses, and some even into tenements.

Social ActivityIndeed, there always had been many people living in the back lanes of that parish. In a parish like St. Stephen’s there was a great need—an ever-increasing need—for schools, guilds, clubs, brigades, and other organisations which kept the young in touch with the Church, and brought brightness and cheer into the lives of the poor. There all these things had been provided by the energy and self-sacrifice of a splended band of workers, inspired and guided by the clergy. He had worked for several years in a neighbouring parish, and knew something of the splendid service which had been done in St. Stephen’s. They had their excellent schools, Sunday and daily; they had their branches of the Mothers’ Union ‘and Girls’ Friendly Society, their Girls Guides, their company of the Boys’ Brigade and their men’s club. The Bishop compared the parish with a machine room, It was, he said, full of machinery—organisations, societies, clubs, and the like—and the energy and motive powers that drove them all came from a quiet power room. It was in the regular services and frequent communion of its Church that the power was generated that drove the engines—God. The Bishop concluded by saying:

Conclusion“May this church be evermore a centre of life and energy, a powerhouse of the Lord. May you be inspired more and more with the love of our Divine Master and filled with His Spirit, so that as we thank God for the labours and devotion of the good men and women of the past, we may look forward to even greater things in the future in Jesus Christ our Lord.” “And,” added the Bishop, “may His grace and the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with this parish and all connected with it now and for evermore.”

EducationA number of children from the married quarters of the nearby Beggar’s Bush Military Barracks attended the school in those days. Prior to World War I it is estimated that about 200 children were on the rolls annually.

With the Easter Rebellion on Monday 24th April 1916 the school found itself in the thick of a mini battle around Mount Street Bridge. Both the School and the Parochial Hall were seized by the Rebels. They were retaken by the Military on the following Wednesday evening. There were casualties on both sides including a horse which was temporarily buried in the round grass plot in front of the School. Today a dip in this portion of ground marks the spot. Many of the school desks which had been used as barricades on the bridge carried in them bullet marks and pieces of shrapnel. These marked desks continued in use until 1961.Following the withdrawal of British troops from Ireland and changes in the housing trends, numbers began to fall.

In the early l900s Mr. S. Fhinn was Principal and he lived in the adjoining school-master’s residence with his wife until his retirement in 1925. In those days many of the assistant teachers had accommodation in the little rooms, an unusual feature of the building, above some of the class-rooms. Prior to 1912 when she retired and the school became co-educational, Mrs. Little taught the girls. Cookery and sewing formed part of their curriculum, the domestic science room being the present kitchen. Miss Burland and Miss Dickson were among the assistant teachers. St. Stephen’s School was no narrow educational institution.


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4During Mr. Sammy Flinn’s time he taught music and formed a school choir and orchestra. Concerts were given in the Parochial Hall which attracted large audiences. One of his pupils, Walter Flood, later became a member of the Gaiety Theatre Orchestra. Jack Cheatle, also a music pupil of Mr. Flinn, formed his own band which became popular in Dublin circles and later he was leader of the Radio Eireann Light Orchestra. Miss Bowesman, a teacher in the Junior School became a well-known Abbey actress. In the world of business former pupils made their mark. William McCoubrey rose to be General Manager of the B +1 Steam Packet Company. William Warnock entered the External Affairs Department and became Irish Ambassador to Germany, Switzerland and India. Dublin University honoured him with an Honorary LL.D. Assistant teachers included Mr. Freddie Philips (subsequently ordained and later to die in a tragic car accident) Miss Robinson, Miss Shegog, Miss Kelso, Miss M. S$uart (now Mrs. T. H. Mack), Miss Elizabeth Hall (now Mrs. A. Pbrcell), and Miss Thelma Deacon.

When Mr. E. G. Armstrong became Principal on 1st October, 1925, there were approximately 160 children on roll. During his period of office numbers fell to 70 when he retired in 1955. During the latter years he was assisted by his daughter Miss Jill Armstrong now Mrs. J. D. Stokes. The Sunday School had an enrolment of 240 with an average attendance of 160 in 1898. Like the Day School, numbers in the Sunday School began to drop from 1920. The parish owes a debt to successive rectors’ wives who have done much for the mothers of the parish in general and the Mothers’ Union in particular. St. Stephen’s Social Club founded in 1934 by Mr. and Mrs. Fred McDowell continues to offer a Whist Drive to parishioners and friends on Mondays at 8 p.m. A Table Tennis Club flourished for many years under the direction of Mr. W. H. Carry.

During the incumbency of Archdeacon Harvey Stewart a Company of the Girl Guides flourished ably supported by such stalwarts as Miss Dorothy Gillespie and Miss Violet Henderson now Mrs. Carney. Miss Rebecca Stewart, daughter of Archdeacon Stewart (now Mrs. R. Bucknall) dd wonderful work as Captain. The work of St. Stephen’s Mothers’ Union began during the early days of the Archdeacon. Meetings offering lectures, films, demon-strations and visits to places of interest continue to take place on the first Monday in the month. A corporate communion is held on the second Tuesday of the month at 11 a.m. Today the branch meets with that of St. Ann’s .

1935-1952 William Thomas Grey, M.A. He took his B.A. in Trinity College, Dublin (1900 , and M.A. (1903). Ordained deacon in 1900 for the Parish of Seagoe (Down) he moved to be Curate of St. Luke’s, Belfast, 1903. He went overseas as a S.P.G. missionary to Japan in 1905 where he ministered until 1917 when he returned to Ireland as Resident Preacher and Librarian of St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork. He was Rector of Moviddy (Cork) (1921-6), Secretary of the Jews’ Society for ireland, 1926-8, Minor Canon of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 1928-30, Rector of Chapelizod 1930-35, and of St. Stephen’s 1935-52. He became Treasurer of Christ Church Cathedral. Canon Grey was deeply committed to the Overseas Work of the Church. His’ deep spirituality could be felt the moment one heard him conducting a service or leading in prayer. He was an outstanding Missioner, as many parishes still remember. A good sportsman, he is also remembered as the person who introduced Hockey to Japan, and on the Golden Jubilee of this. event the Japanese Hockey Union suitably responded by presenting him with a magnificent commemorative plaque. Canon Grey was married and had four children, two daughters and


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4two sons, Patricia (Mrs. R. P. MacDermott), Sophia, Dennis H’. C. (lost serving with R.A.F., 1939-45 War), and Barry.

1952-59 Charles Trevelyan Aubrey Carter, M.A. Graduate from T.C.D. with B.A. (1936) and M.A. (1946); On obtaining Divinity Testimonium he’ was ordained deacon to ‘serve in Sandford Parish 1937 and was made priest the following year. He has held the following appointments Chaplain of the Female Orphan House, 1943-1952. Rector of St. Stephen’s, 1952-59; Rector of St. Mary’s, Crumlin, 1959-67. He was appointed Incumbent of Sand-ford 967 and a Canon of Christ Church Cathedral 1971. Canon Cartei is married with three children, a son Charles Stopford and two daughters Daphne (Mrs. David Rowell), Valerie (Mrs. Mac Millan).

Education.Mr. S. M. Atkinson was School Principal, 1955-56. Miss Hilda Foster was the last Principal holding the office from 1956-1969. The two classrooms then in use were extensively modernised in 1961, the school’s centenary year. New equipment including desks were purchased and the ceilings were lowered to conserve heat. The old toilets were pulled down and a new lavatory block erected. The tall chimneys, a feature of the building had become dangerous and were rebuilt. The total cost of these renovations and improvements was £2,100. There were 42 children on roll. In 1969 the Department of Education decided to close a number of two teacher schools in the district in an effort to have fewer, bigger and more economical schools. In this retrenchment plan, it was decided that St. Stephen’s School would be numbered among those to close. Reluctantly, the parish accepted the ruling of the Department for with the closing of a school inevitably part of a parish dies. For 108 years this building and generations of teachers had served the parish well, Today the building serves a wider community through Vocational Education by day and as a Parochial Hall by night. A feature of the winter programme is St. Stephen’s Ministry of Teaching led by the clergy which through lectures, bible-classes and discussion groups provides further adult education. In 1964 there were 30 children with four teachers; today there are 12 children who are instructed by Miss Meta Evans and Mr. Kenneth Kearon Jnr. This is an eloquent comment on the inroads which commerce has made into the district, forcing people to seek homes in the suburbs,

1959-67 Samuel Greenfield Poyntz, M.A, B.D., Ph.D. Born in Deloraine, Canada, 4th March 1926. His father was Rector of Arklow. Educated at Portora and Trinity College, Dublin. He graduated with a 2nd Cl. Moderator in Mental and Moral Science and a 2nd Cl Moderatorship in Oriental Languages B.A. 1948, M.A., 1952, B.D., 1953, Ph.D., 1960. Prizeman, Hebrew, Arabic, Aramaic, and Syriac, Downes Composition Prize (1st and 2nd), Robert King Memorial Prize, Pastoral Theology Prize. 1st Class iTvinity Testimonium. Curate-Assistant St. Georges’ 1950-52; Bray 1952-55; St. Michan and St. Paul 1955-59. He was instituted to the Incumbency of St. Stephen’s Parish on 9th September 1959. Chairman of the Youth Department of the British Council of Churches 1964-69. Hon. Secretary of Tripartite Conversations 1968-74. Vicar of St. Ann’s 1967. Archdeacon of Dublin, 1974. Author of The Exaltation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Editor o Christ, the Way, the Truth and Your life. Dr. Poyntz is married with three children, Jennifer Maud, Timothy James and Stephanie Catherine.

After the appointment of Dr. Poyntz to the Incumbency of St. Ann’s, the City and Town Parishes Commission announced that St. Stephen’s Parish had been scheduled for


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4examination. Pending final agreement on a solution of church population and buildings in the Pembroke area, it was agreed that a clergyman-in-charge be appointed by the Archbishop of Dublin after consultation with representatives of the Parish, There was but one holder of this office. The Wednesday Club founded in 1960 by the Rev. Dr. S. G. Poyntz and as the name suggests, it met on Wednesdays until 1967. The Club was open to young people in their teens and twenties and a feature of their varied programme was an Annual Variety Concert. Since the closure of St. Mark’s Church, the Parochial Hall has become the Headquarters of St. Mark’s Athletic Football Club—a club with roots going back as far as 1892. During the current season the club has three teams playing—two in the Athletic Union League and one in the United Churches League— bringing a large number of young men together in the character building pursuit of football.

1962 Organ Dry RotAn outbreak of dry rot was discovered in the organ chamber. On the advice of experts—architects and organ builders—it was decided that the magnificent four manual instrument must be removed if the fabric of the church were to be saved and immediately work was started. The dry rot was dealt with and the organ rebuilt at a total cost of £7,314, met by direct giving of parishioners and friends, The task of rebuilding the organ was entrusted to Peter Conacher and Co. Ltd.— the firm which originally built the organ in 1889.

1963 Organ RestorationOn Tuesday, 26th November 1963 with a Fanfare of Trumpeters supplied by the Stedfast Band the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Rev. G. 0. Simms, Ph.D., D.D. dedicated the rebuilt instrument. This was but one event in a week of festivity and thanksgiving which included a Columban Year Choral Festival with the choirs of St. Peter’s Rural Deanery participating, an inaugural recital given by Mr. William Watson, Mus.B,, F.R.C.O., Organist of St. Ann’s Church, a public lecture on Anglican Worship by the Rev. Dr. S. G. Poyntz and a play “Christ in the Concrete City” performed by the Dublin Religious Drama Group.The rebuilt organ has a detached console, which incorporates stop-key lighting. Sited in the main aisle of the church—possibly a novel position for Church of Ireland architecture—the console enables the organist to hear the choir and the congregation while he can see the officiating clergyman at all times. The new position of the console attracted much interest in the musical circles of Dublin at the time.

1968-69 Ernon Cope Todd Perdue, B.A., B.D., M.Ed. His father, the Rev. F. L. Perdue was Rector of Trinagh (Cork). He was awarded a Moderatorship in Classics at Trinity College, Dublin 1st Class Divinity Testimonium. Archbishop King’s Prize (2) Bishop Forster’s Prize (2) Weir Prize, Downes Composition Prize, Theological Exhibitioner. He was ordained deacon for the Curacy of North Strand and Drumcondra 1954-58. He was successively Curate Assistant of Booterstown 1958-60. Dean of Residence Trinity College, Dublin, 1960-68; Clergyman in charge of St. Stephen’s 1968 69 Rector of Rathmlehael 1969 Mr Perdue is married with four children, iregory Keith, Gilhian Dawn, Adrienne Denise’ and Ian Conor.

EducationIn 1969 the Department of Education decided to close a number of two teacher schools in the district in an effort to have fewer, bigger and more economical schools. In this retrenchment plan, it was decided that St. Stephen’s School would be numbered among those to close. Reluctantly, the parish accepted the ruling of the Department for with the closing of a school


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4inevitably part of a parish dies. For 108 years this building and generations of teachers had served the parish well, Today the building serves a wider community through Vocational Education by day and as a Parochial Hall by night. A feature of the winter programme is St. Stephen’s Ministry of Teaching led by the clergy which through lectures, bible-classes and discussion groups provides further adult education. In 1964 there were 30 children with four teachers; today there are 12 children who are instructed by Miss Meta Evans and Mr. Kenneth Kearon Jnr. This is an eloquent comment on the inroads which commerce has made into the district, forcing people to seek homes in the suburbs,

Parish reorgnaizationOn March 20, 1970, St. Stephen’s became part of the grouped Incumbency of St. Ann with St. Stephen. The Incumbent of St. Ann’s was instituted on that day to the charge of St. Stephen’s in addition to that of St. Ann’s and prospectively to that of St. Mark’s. St. Mark’s Church closed for public worship on the Monday in Whitsun Week 1971 after 240 years of service. Today St. Stephen’s continues as part of a trinity of parishes—St. Ann, St. Mark with St. Stephen. With the amalgamation of St. Ann with St. Stephen in 1970 a B.B. Company was again in the parish and today the 3rd Company of the Boys’ Brigade serves the group extending Christ’s Kingdom among boys.

Postscript

NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evi,dence of things not seen; for by it the elders obtained a good report . By faith Abraham . . . By faith Isaac . . . By faith Jacob . . . By faith Moses . . . (Heb. 11).

By faith men created such a worthy place of worship, a sanctuary of beauty and dignity that those who might enter from the heat and burden of the day would find hearts turned to God .By faith a parish—a fellowship was created where men and women were brought to newness of life through the power, of Jesus Christ . .By faith great numbers of God’s servants toiled here . .By faith we achieved 150 years of worship and witness . .By faith we look forward to the next stretch of the road. .

Acknowledgements

I am indebted to W. Eliwood Post’s Saints, Signs and Symbols (S.P.C.K.) for the symbol of

St. Stephen on the cover of this publication. The symbol evidently of French origin is

displayed at Dijon. The three stones refer to the manner of his death and the palm to his

spiritual victory. A gold palm branch and silver stones on a red field constitute a suitable

symbol for the first martyr of the Christian Church. Much information concerning clergymen

mentioned is quoted from an unpublished book by Canon J. B. Leslie D.Lit. and the


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4copyright belongs to the Representative Church Body Library, Rathgar, Dublin. A

parishioner of St. Ann’s, Miss Sheila Baker, typed most of the MSS and for this I am

grateful. Mention must be made of the members of St. Stephen’s Select Vestry for without

their encouragement and support this book would not now be available. To Mr. Brittain of the

Leinster Leader and all who helped in its production the parish offers its thanks,

S.G. POYNTZ All Saints’ Day, 1974. St. Stephen’s Church



Introductory noteSOMEONE once said that places have a soul and people make it for them by living in them. When people die and the place with a soul becomes depopulated and changed, something of it, be it only a memory, remains. The stranger who comes to such a place learns of the people who lived there, becomes influenced and impressed by such a spot. Those who enter St. Stephen’s Church will be impressed by the atmosphere—a legacy bequethed by generations of devout Christian men and women who made this sanctuary their spiritual home. The full story of this Church and Parish cannot be told. Unfortunately, the Parochial Magazines which could have taken us back month by month to 1885 and before, were probably destroyed when the Parochial Hall was sold. Fortunately, a bound copy of the Annual Reports 1865-1902 came to hand and this, together with Vestry minutes and jottings from here and there, have been combined to tell something of the history of this church which, though now standing in a business district of Dublin, still points men and women to the Everyday Christ.

Memorial Windows In the apse there are three windows. The centre window depictsthe stoning of Stephen, the Martyr, with words “Lord Jesus, receivemy spirit”.

Revd. David ElringtonThe inscription reads “In Memory of the Revd. David Elrington” a member of a family with many and close ties to St. Stephen’s Church. His father was Mr. J. Faviere Elrington, Q.C., who lived at 24 Upper Fitzwilliam Street and was a member of the first Vestry of the Parish elected in 1871. Regrettably this window can be only partially seen as the reredos subsequently erected spoils8 9Interior, facing East, showing the apse added in 1852

10the windov:.

Rev. Robert Alexander HamiltonOn the left cf this centre piece there is a window donated “In memory of the Rev. Robert Alexander Hamilton” which depicts Simon and Andrew leaving their trade and livelihood to follow Jesus, with the inscription: “They left all and followed him”. To the right the window portrays Jesus with Mary and Martha and the words “Mary hath chosen the good part”. This window is in memory of Charlotte Hartney Barry.

Tufnell family.Two windows on the north aisle nearest the organ chamber are memorials to the Tufnell family. The upper window, depicting the Good Samaritan, is to the memory of Jolliffe Tufnell Ex President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, born May 24th 1819, died November 27th 1885. Dr. Tufnell who lived at 58 Lower Mount Street, had been a member of the first Vestry of St. Stephen’s. The lower window is in memory of Henrietta his wife, born 1817, died July 30th 1886, and was erected by her three daughters.


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4Henry Cope CollesThe next stained glass window on the North Aisle was erected in 1893, depicting the Resurrection scene with the words “Why weepest thou”. It is to the memory of Henry Cope Colles, M.A. a former Churchwarden and Select Vestryman—a highly esteeined parishioner “ever ready into every good work” and his daughter—Minnie Burnside. The plaque beneath is inscribed with the words “Until the break of day and shadows flee away”.

Frederick William LeeperThe resurrection is the theme of the Leeper window with the words “He is not here. He is risen”. Beneath is the inscription “In loving memory of Frederick William Leeper, B.A., T.C. D., Secretary to the Councils of the United Dioceses. Born April, 1858. Died at Davos Platz, Switzerland, 12th June 1891. Devoted Churchman”. The artists werd Messrs Heaton, Butler and Bayne, London. Next there is a window “To the glory of God and in loving memory of Harriett Carson, Born January 5th, 1817. Died June 28th, 1884. His Banner over me was Love”.

Rev. C. A. Williamson, M.AThe Baptistry Window, representing Christ blessing little children was erected in 1898 in the immediate neighbourhood of the font. It was the work of Messrs. Powell and Son, Whitefriars, London. By 1895 more than half the estimated cost of about £50, had been contributed in five shilling subscriptions from those who had been baptized in the church. The cost of the window was in the main defrayed by those who had been baptized in it.Before leaving the North side of the church, one should step out into the centre aisle and look up at the window in the gallery. Beneath is the inscription “To the glory of God this window was erected A.D. 1901 by the Rev. C. A. Williamson, M.A., in loving memory of his dear parents, Charles Williamson born 20th April, 1820, died 21st July 1882. Rebecca his wife born 24th September, 1817 died 28th October 1896 and of Charlotte their youngest daughter born 9th May, 1857, died 23rd December 1893. The Williamson family lived at 14 Upper Mount Street, and Mr. Charles Williamson was another member of the first Vestry of St. Stephen’s.

Rt. Hon. Edward Gibson 1st Baron AshbourneThe upper window in the South Aisle beside the War Memorial depicts the Resurrection with the words “Because I live ye shall live also”. Dedicated in memory of the Rt. Hon. Edward Gibson 1st Baron Ashbourne, this stained glass window remembers one who enjoys a long connection with the Parish. He was first elected to the Vestry when he was Mr. Edward Gibson Q.C. in 1873. He was subsequently elected an M.P. Lord Ashbourne became Chancellor of Ireland and a member of the British Cabinet. He attended St. Stephen’s Sunday by Sunday when the House of Lords was not in session and always left a gold sovereign on the plate. Bishop Harvey in his “Memories of a Dublin Parish” recalls “I often pitied him sitting alone in his pew, deserted by all the members of his family. Lady Ashbourne had become a Christian Scientist and did not attend the Church; his eldest son, heir to the title, had married a French woman and jointed the Church of Rome, a daughter had followed her mother, etc., etc.” At the turn of the century he lived at 12 Merrion Square.

George Augustus Chichester MayUnderneath the Ashbourne window there is another memorial window to a famous legal family. A brass plaque states “To the glory of God and in loving memory of the Right Hon. George Augustus Chichester May, Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, born 16th August, 1815,


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4died 15th August, 1892; and of Olivia, his wife born 14th March, 1825, died 16th July, 1876. This window was placed by their children”. By his will the ex Chief Justice left a sum of £500. to the Representative Church Body for the benefit of the parish. This was duly invested in £440 Dublin Wicklow and Wexford Railway 5 % Debenture Stock, such was the confidence in railways in those days. The Income on this stock was to be applied towards the Incumbent’s stipend. At a meeting it was resolved “That the Vestry desires to record its sense of loss which the Parish of St. Stephen’s has sustained through the death of the Right Hon.G. A. C. May ex Chief Justice. As a constant worshipper in the Parish Church, a liberal contribution to our funds, and one of our Parochial Nominators, he will long be remembered by the parishioners with respect due to his integrity and generosity, and to the example of unaffected earnestness in every good cause which he invariably exhibited. We also wish to express our sincere sympathy with his family in their bereavement”.

George Chichester May K.CUnderneath the brass plaque to cx Chief Justice May there is another to his son which reads: “To the glory of God and in loving memory of George Chichester May K.C., 2nd son of the Rt. Hon. G. A. C. May, 25th May 1857—3rd November 1924, for many years churchwarden of this parish. His body rests at Campton, Winchester.

Hon. Judge TownshendThere are two other memorial windows on the south aisle. One is to the memory of the Hon. Judge Townshend a member of the Select Vestry who had lived at 30 Upper Fitzwilliam Street. Beneath is the inscription “In memory of John Fitz-Henry Townshend LL.D., for 25 years Judge of the High Court of Admiralty in Ireland. Born 31st December 1811, died 2nd February 1893, erected by his daughter”. The other has as its centre-piece the Book chapter and verse St. Luke 2 v. 26 but the text is not quoted “And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” This window was erected in memory of James Carlyle who died December 1906, by his wife.

InteriorInternally the church is Victorian Renaissance in style and this disappoints many when compared with the exteri9r. The galleries are spacious and well constructed. There is a flat tirdber ceiling. The box pews which were part of the original furniture of the church have gone.Today St. Stephen’s Church is enriched by a beautiful apse at the east end. On its Consecration Day it was probably rectangular shape with a double decker pulpit which was then in fashion. In M. Starrat’s History of Ancient and Modern Dublin (1849) there is a print of St. Stephen’s before it was extended. The extension with apse and vestry was skilfully achieved in 1852, but the join is still clearly visible in the oitside wall. Annual Reports after this date refer to improvements being made to the Chancel from time to time. A typical example of this is in the Report for the year 1878 where it was stated that “a very considerable improvement has been made in the Chancel under the superintendence of Thomas Drew, Esq., R.H.A. The cost exceeds £150. The sum of £50. is still due to the decorator, Mr. Mannix”,

LightingDuring the year 1884-85 two brass coronae, similar to one already in the chancel were installed to replace the old I’ashioned gasaliers. Apparently the latter had proved difficult to kee clean and were a constant source of expense owing to the frequency with which the


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4globes needed to be renewed. The coronae costing more than £40, proved more ornamental, suitable and economical. The old gasaliers were removed to the school where they proved to be a great improvement on their predecessors. Alas, with the advent of electricity it was decided to dispense with the coronae and so furnishings of considerable beauty were lost.

Furniture

LecternThe handsome lectern was presented in 1885 to the Church by the husband and family of Agnes Jane Kirwan “who entered into her rest March 14 — 1884”. It is recorded in a report that the lectern was erected on the former site of the font which had been moved to the entrance of the north aisle—a place more suitable in light of our understanding of the sacrament of Holy Baptism.

PulpitUndoubtedly the pulpit with canopy, made of beautifully carved Italian rosewood, dominates the church. On four panels are carved the symbols of the four evangelists: a man (St. Matthew), a lion (St. Mark), an ox (St. Luke) and an eagle (St. John).

Prayer desk In Italian walnut carved like the pulpit was installed and the cost was met by a number of parishioners. Mr. H. V. Jackson paid for the carriage from Siena. Engraved on the desk are the words: SIENA. 1891 S. CAMBI FECIT.

ChancelThe annual report for 1895 regretted that the fittings of the Chancel had not yet been completed by the erection of the Sedila corresponding in material and work-manship to the pulpit and reading desk. This need was duly met by the Jackson family who donated aSedila “in memory of Henry Vincent Jackson who died 13th March 1896 and Arabella his wife who died 3rd February 1896”. The Select Vestry subsequently placed on record the sense of loss which the parish sustained through the lamented death of Mr. Vincent Jackson. “From the time of his becoming a resident in the parish there was nothing that concerned its welfare in which he did not take a warm and intelligent interest. While he was a resident among us the new organ was erected in the church and the Glebe House was purchased; besides that he was a generous contributor to each of these undertakings, much of their success was due to his wise counsels and active co-operation while the beautiful pulpit that adorns our church is a memorial of his open handed liberality. His good sense and sound judgment combined with unfailing courtesy made him an invaluable member of the Vestry, whose meetings he regularly attended so long as his health permitted”. The beautiful chancel which occupies the site of former vestries is elaborately decorated with painted angels and arcading.

ReredosMosaic work depicting Christ in Glory, was erected by parishioners “as a thank offering for victory and preservation of many who served God and their country in the Great War 1914-I8”; This adornment was not a happy choice for it rather spoils the effect of the chancel apse which should have a free standing altar.


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4Communion Table crossIn brass mounted in Connemara marble was given by the family of the late Canon W. T. Grey and his wife Sophie. It was dedicated on 29th October 1970 by the Most Rev. A. A. Buchanan, D.D., and the sermon was preached by the Ven. R. G. F. Jenkins, Archdeacon of Dublin.

Communion PlateOnly one piece pre dates the church, a fiddle paten spoon made in London in 1812. Most of the plate dates from 1824. These are: a flagon, two chalices, two patens and collecting plates, made in Dublin by Joseph Fray. The chalices are a copy of seventeenth and eighteenth century design with the exception of the wire rim, obviously presented at the time of the consecration of the church.

There is also a fine silver gilt flagon which was made in London 1867.

Kingham ChaliceIn 1933 a modern Chalice was presented in memory of Louisa Kingham who died 29th September, 1932 and her son Lieut. A. E. Kingham, killed in the Great War 1916. It has a petal base and is the work of John Smith, Clarendon Street, Dublin.

Baptismal ShellOne other item of interest in the Vestry safe, this was mde in London 1930.

CarpetsThe exquisite sanctuary carpet was a gift from the May family already mentioned. The beautiful red carpet which covers the centre aisle and choir area was presented by Mr. T. R. G. Oakes, who is presently Hon. Treasurer of the Parish.

FrontalsNo account of the furnishings would be complete without a reference to the altar frontals which are among the most beautiful to be seen in the Church of Ireland. No reference can be found of who made them or when they were donated. In 1973 they were wonderfully restored by Miss M. I. H. Ferrar.Many other furnishings given in more recent times are not mentioned in this account, but are none the less treasured.

War MemorialOn the East End of the Church beside the pulpit, there is a memorial to those who died fsom the parish in two World Wars.

To the Glory of Godand in memory of those from this Parish or Congregation who gave their lives for King and

Country in the Great War (1914-1919).

War Initial Surname Rank Service Unit Regiment1 J Arnott,

M.C.,Capt A 15th Hussars.


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 41 E Beatty Lt A 6th Connaught Rangers.1 T H Bowen, 2nd Lt A 6th Leinster Regt.1 F. J. T Boxwell, A.B. N H.M.S., “Good Hope1 H. Brown 2nd Lt A A.T.Td., 1st 30th

Punjabis.1 M. Burgess V.A.D1 J. Canham R.F.A A R.I.R.1 C Cann Artificer N H.M.S., “Hogue”.1 J. A. Carson Pte A 1st R.D.F.1 A J. Castle R.F.M A R.I.R.1 C. H. Coote Trooper A 12th Lancers,1 R. T. Coote Sergt.-Major A Irish Guards.1 J. Curry Pte, A 10th R.D.F.1 G Evans Trooper A 12th Lancers.1 F Farrell Co. Sergt.

Maj,A S.I. Horse.

1 G R Fausset 2nd Lt A R.I.R.1 V H Fausett Pte A R.D.F.1 W FitzGerald Pte A R.D.F.1 C H Graham 2nd Lt A 3rd R.D.F.1 G Graham Pte A 9th R.D.F.1 W. J. Graham Pte A Worcester Regt.1 T. Gilhigan R.F.M A R.I.R.1 J. Gyves 2nd Lt A R.D.F.1 J. Harrison Pte A R,D.F.1 S Haskins Pte A R. Australian I. Forces.1 T Haskins Corpl A R.D.F.1 A.B. E. Hillas Capt A 7th Gordon Highlanders.1 A. E. Kingham Lt A 8th R.I.F.1 H Malley Pte A 28th R. Canadian E.F.1 S. May Pte A Leinster Regt.1 V. H. Marks R.F.M A 12th Co. London Rgt1 H Maxwell Capt A 13th Cheshire Rgt.1 S. F Moran 2nd Lt A 9th R.I.F..1 F. P. D. Newland,

M.CLt A 90th Winnipeg Rifles

1 A. Nolan L. Corpl A R.M.F.1 C. F. Payne R.F.M A 2nd R.I.R.1 F. L. L. Rogers 2nd Lt A R.F.A.1 P. S. Snell 2nd Lt A 6th R.I.F.1 H. F. Vernon Sub Lt N R.N., H.M.S

Hampshire”.1 E. T. Weatherill 2nd Lt A 7th R.D.F.1 J. Williams Pte, A R.D.F1 T. S. Woods 2nd Lt A R.F.A.

Also the following who gave their lives in the war of 1939-1945.2 Charles K. Armstrong, A.B N H.M.S., “Glowworm”.


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 42 Denis H.

C.Grey, Sergt. Obsr R.A.F .

2 Wm. C. T. McFetridge, 2nd Lieut A Irish Guards,2 Patrick J. Walters, Sergt A North Irish Horse.



Choir

ChoristersIt would not be out of place to put on record our appreciation of the choristers and choir members who down the years have made a real contribution to public worship in this place. In earlier days it was a robed choir of boys and gentlemen; in the early 1900s ladies were welcomed sitting in the front pews of the church. They were robed in 1948. By 1965 it became a choir of girls, boys, ladies and gentlemen.

Charles StanfordOne of the greatest Irish contributors to Church music probably heard his first music in St. Stephen’s when he worshipped there as a boy. Stanford’s name has figured frequently in services sung all over the world, the stirring service in B Flat, the lyrical service in G or the great C and A setting. Generations too have listened to his Prelude and Fugue in C minor Op. 193 No. 2 and the Fantasia and Toccata in D minor Op. 57, probably the finest of the organ works.

Arthur OultonLocal boy—a brilliant musician who came back to the parish of his birth to minister as Curate-Assistant who would have made a considerable contribution to church music had not his life been cut short so tragically in 1918. He composed songs, hymns, music for piano and violin, a Suite for the piano and a Symphony but never had time to write them down; save some musical score for the last named which was practised once or twice at his father’s house in 19 Upper Mount Street and gave pleasure to all who joined in it or listened—though he himself was dissatisfied with it. The Rev. H. B. Dobbs who had been his fellow curate at St. Stephen’s afterwards wrote of him: “He played hymns on the wheezy harmonium in the schools with apparently as great a delight as he played a cathedral organ at a Festival. His playing at the monthly Parish concerts was as brilliant as when he played for Plunkett-Greene at his London Recitals or to a distinguished company at the Castle, and to all appearances one gave him as much pleasure as the other. With the poor and sick, Arthur was amazing. They loved him one and all—in Holles St., Denzill St., Grant’s Row, etc. They told me many a time of how he would sit down and sing all their favourite hymns to them. He was indeed gifted in many beautiful ways; whether he played, or sang or talked, or preached . .In so many ways St. Stephen’s has provided a goodly heritage— not least in the field of music.

Organ

Original

John SnetzlerSr. Stephen’s has always enjoyed a splendid tradition in church music. The organ is one of the most historic parish church organs in the country. The front casework facing westwards down the north aisle is an example of the craftsmanship of John Snetzler. This is the case of the organ built by Snetzler in 1754 for the chapel of the Rotunda Hospital. It was never erected in the chapel (for some obscure reason, possibly because it was too large), but found a place in the Rotunda Rooms in days of eighteenth-century elegance. It is also believed to


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4have been at one time the property of Lord Mornington and could be seen at his house in Upper Merrion Street. Less elegant days saw its removal to St. Stephen’s Church, where for many years it stood on the west gallery. Snetzler was one of the foremost organ builders i 18th-century London. The friend and protégé of royalty, he numbered Handel among his close friends. Of Swiss parentage, Snetzler was born in Schaffhausen in the canton of Zurich in 1710. His work, although adapted to the unprogressive English organ scene of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, was representative of all that was best in the golden age of organ art. St. Stephen’s Church, Dublin, thus possesses one of the most precious organ cases in Ireland—an example of Snetzler craftsmanship.

Organists

Edward BuntingAmong the most famous of organists is Edward Bunting (1773- 1843), collector of Irish airs. He appears to have been organist at St. Stephen’s Church circa 1827 and subsequently at St. George’s Church. Bunting, a native of Armagh and resident of Belfast, moved to Dublin in 1819, on his marriage to Mary Anne Chapman, whose uncle (in orders) was a Fellow of Trinity College. In the Dublin University Magazine for January, 1847 (p. 64) there is a memoir of Bunting. It is unsigned but is probably written by Dr. George Petrie. It is there stated (p. 72): “Through the influence of his northern connections, he soon got into extensive practice as a teacher in the higher circles, and was appointed organist of St. Stephen’s Chapel.” There is a letter in a M.SS. at Queen’s University, Belfast, from Bunting to Mary McCracken, with whose family he had lived for many years in Belfast. It is dated the 27th December, 1827, from 28 Upper Baggot Street, and says: “I received aft unsought letter from the Trustees of Georges Church (where a new organ price £1,000 has been put up lately) to be their organist with a salary of from £90 to £100 a year. I am indebted for this place to the Attorney-General.” The Attorney General for Ireland at the time was Henry Joy, Mary McCracken’s first cousin, after whose father her brother Henry Joy McCracken (hanged, 1798) was named. Bunting was one who attended a party on the eve of Wolfe Tone’s departure from Belfast with his family—1lth of June, 1795, along with “the Simmses, Neilsons and Rnssell”, and H. J. McCracken.

Dr. William Henry Gater

LegacyMany former choristers remember with reverence Dr. William Henry Gater—organist and choirmaster for 50 years who died 1928. At a meeting of the Select Vestry of St. Stephen’s Church after his death the following resolution was passed: “That the Select Vestry of St. Stephen’s Parish desire to express their deep sense of the loss the Church and the Parish have sustained on the death of William Henry Gater, Doctor of Music; who has been organist at St. Stephen’s Church for the last 54 years. The late Dr. Gater carried out his duties during all that time in a most painstaking conscientious and efficient manner. The Vestry are conscious that in him they had a musician of great ability, an organist who had the highest ideals as to the part taken by music in the worship of God, and a man of high moral character and of a humble Christian spirit”.

MemorialOn Sunday, the 28th of July, 1929 Canon D. F. R. Wilson, Precentor of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, dedicated a brass plate to the memory of Dr. Gater. At that service Canon Wilson


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4spoke of Dr. Gater as a link with great Church musicians who formed’ a distinguished school of music in Dublin for over a century and a half— a school of Church music second to none in Europe. Dr. Gater, he pointed out had been a pupil of the late Sir Robert Stewart, and carried on the fine tradition of Church music. Canon Wilson said that he was a very devout quiet, learned gentleman, a “holy and humble man of God”. His patience was wonderful, and his love for his glorious art endeared him to all who knew him and loved the high service of music.

The memorial, Canon Wilson added, would remind worshippers in days to come, when all our names were forgotten, of one who served God with love, with reverence and with gratitude. His compositions included a Setting for the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in ‘A’ Major.

SuccessorsMr. F. R. Egan succeeded Dr. Gater as organist. Julian Dawson well-known in Dublin musical circles in the 1950s was also organist at St. Stephen’s and later became accompanist to B.B.C. Scotland. Other organists include F. G. Flewitt, Ruarc de B. Gahan, Ronald Dowson, Philip Walker and Charles Pearson. The present organist is Mr. Peter Paxton appointed in 1973.

Specification Rebuilt by Peter Conacher & Co. Ltd., Springwood, Huddersfleld, 1963Compass of Manuals CC to C.61 NotesCompass of Pedals CCC to F, 30 Notes

Great Organ1 Mixture— 3 rks 183 Pipes2 Fifteenth 2 ft. 61 Pipes3. Flauto Traverso 4 ft. 61 Pipes4. Principal 4 ft. 61 Pipes5. Dulciana 8 ft. 61 Pipes6 Clarabella ... 8 ft. 61 Pipes7 Gamba ... 8 ft. 61 Pipes8 Open Diapason 8 ft. 61 Pipes9 Great Octave10 Swell to Great11 Swell to Great Octave12 Swell to Great Sub Octave

Swell Organ 13. Clarion 61 Pipes14. Oboe 61 Pipes15. Cornopean 8ft. 61 Pipes16. Mixture—3 rks 8ft. 183 Pipes17. Fifteenth 2ft. 61 Pipes18. Wald Flute 4 ft., 61 Pipes19. Principal 4ft. 61 Pipes20. Voix Celeste—T.C. 8ft. 49 Pipes


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 421. Salicional 8ft. 6.1Pipes22. Open Diapason 8ft. 61 Pipes23. Lieblich Bourdon—T.C. 16 ft. 49 Pipes24. Bourdon Bass 16 ft. 12 Pipes25. Swell Octave26. Swell Sub Octave27. Tremulant28. Flute 4 Feet 30 Notes from No. 3129. Bass Flute 8 Feet 30 Notes from No. 3130. Octave 8 Feet 30 Notes from No. 3231. Bourdon 16 Feet 54 Pipes Extended

from old Organ32. Open Diapason 16 Feet 42 Pipes Extended

from old Organ33. Harmonic Bass 32 Feet 30 Notes from No. 3134. Swell to Pedal35 Great to Pedal

AccessoriesThree Double Touch Thumb Pistons to Great Organ adding suitable Pedal on second touch.Three Double Touch Thumb Pistons to Swell Organ adding suitablePedal on second tduch.Three Toe Pistons to Great and Pedal Organs. Four Pedal settings on switchboard).Reversible Thumb and Toe Pistons to Great to Pedal Coupler.Reversible Thumb and Toe Pistons to Swell to Great Coupler.Canceller Name Plates to the stops of each section—Great, Swell and Pedal.Balanced Swell Pedal in centre of kneeboard.The latest design Console stop-key lighting.Detached all-electric Console.

ChronologyThere was a Church of St. Stephen on the site of Mercer’s Hospital from 1224. As already indicated it was a chapel to a leper hospital. “The tenants of this hospital” wrote Dr. Mills “were freed from parochial ties and the master of the hospital came to be regarded as their

rector; and the hospital lands were in time treated as a district parish.” St. Stephen’s Hospital with the parish attached seems to have been united with St. Bride’s about this time.

Guardians John Talbot is Parson of St. Stephen’s (National MSS). “Parson of St. Stephen’s by-sides Dublin”.

1334 Guardians Geoffrey de St. Michael Clk is Guardian or Custos (Archdall).1347 Guardians Gaifridus de Stinelle Clk is Custos.1378-1393 Guardians John Scrop is Custos (Mem. Roll. Vicar of Ardee

1385).1408 Guardians Henry Ossygham is Custos (Chanc Roll.).1421 Guardians John Probte i s Custos (Roll—ex Whitelar & Reid).1508 Guardians John English. is Custos or Master (Cotton); a Canon of

St. Patrick’s1525 Guardians John Triguram is Custos (M.P.) Also Preb. Kilmactalway.


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 41538 Guardians1565 Guardians John Kerdiff (or Cardiff) app. by Corp. of Dublin. Custos of

Hospital (Gilbert’s Records) (11 .42) d. 1579.

1579 Guardians Henry Fitzsimons.1594 Guardians Launcelot Morny app. Custos (Corp Rec) Preb St.

Michael’s.1599 Guardians Francis Cary (ib).1604/5 Guardians James Cary app. Custos resigned to go to England

1634. (Gilbert’s Records 11.289).1634 Guardians Daniel Wood app. (ib).1641/2 Guardians Richard Cragg (or Craig) Lie. C. Feb. 10 (D.R.).1824 Curate William Bourne The first chaplain who was also Vicar of

St. Andrew’s (1804-1862).1824 Curate Mortimer O’Sullivan. Rector of Killyman(Armagh 1830-49).1825 Curate Philip Berry Vicar of Castlelyons 1830-62.1841 Curate Reginald Courtenay. Bishop of Kingston, Jamica 1856-79.1843 Curate John Hopkins Armstrong. Vicar of Staines 1873-1900.1843-45 Curate John Grant.1844-5 Curate Francis Blake Woodward. He was British Chaplain in Rome 1851-

1866.1848-51 Curate W. B. Atkins, possibly WALTER BAKER ATKINS,

ordained Priest in 1842 by Bishop of Ossory.

1852-58 Curate Robert John Moffett. Vicar of Kilternan 1858-1879.1855 Curate Henry Galbraith. He was Archdeacon of Glendalough1855-60 Curate Thomas Twigg. Vicar of Swords 1860-1904.1858-71 Curate Richard Travers Smith. Vicar of St. Bartholomew’s, Dublin 1871-

1905.1860-63 Curate Robert Monck Mason.1862 Curate John Nicholson (probably John Aldwell Nicholson).1863-4 Curate Edward Bray. Rector of St. Paul’s, Shadwell, London

1882.1864-66 Curate James Hornidge Walsh. Rector of St. Stephen’s from 1883-1908.1871 Church Warden William Gibson E. de Moleyns1871 S Vestry 1st Elected 11th

Apr,J. F. Elrington, Q.C., 24Upper Fitzwilhiam Street.

1871 S Vestry 1st Elected 11th Apr,

Charles Williamson, 14 Upper Mount Street.


W. R. Le Fanu, 59Fitzwilhiam Square.


M. N. Clarke, 11 Fitzwillhiam Square.


C. Lodge 25 Pembroke Road.


G. W. Maunsell. 10 Merrion Square.

1871 S Vestry 1st Elected 11th Alderman R. Durdin, 88 Lower ‘Mount Street


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4Apr, G.


Johiffe Tufnell, 58 Lower Mount Street.


John Stanford, 2 Herbert Street.


H. P. Jellett, Q.C., 32 Upper Pembroke Street.


Captain G. Huband, 39 Upper Mount Street.


B. E. Whitestone, 55 Upper Mount Street.

1871 Parish Clerk Joseph Digges, 27 Lincoln Place.1871-83 Curate James Hornidge Walsh. Rector of St. Stephen’s from 1883-1908.1872 Church Warden H. P. Jellett Char1es,ilhiamson1873 Church Warden W. R. Le Fanu Marshall N. Clarke1873-4 Curate John Dowden, Bishop of Edinburgh 1886-

1910.1874 Church Warden Christopher Lodge Captain George Huband Charles

Williamson1874-80 Curate Theod7ore

James Ccoper. Incumbent Barkly Cape Province

1885.1875 Church Warden M. Brady Robert Reeves1876 Church Warden B. B. Stoney Woods Maunsell1877 Church Warden H. M. Pilkington George Allen1878 Church Warden Rober Reeves1879 Church Warden G. W. Maunsell Rt. Hon. E. Gibson, M.P.1880 Church Warden W. R. Swanzy, M.D. D. Madden,Q.C. J. E. M.D.1880-83 Curate William Lee, Junior, Son of Dr. William Lee, Archdeacon V.H.

Trinity Gosport 1889-1911. Rector Mainhead 1915-16.

1881 Church Warden P. I. Mayne Scott, Robert Reeves1881-82 Curate William Fitzgerald (Curate again 1889-90).1882 Church Warden Martin 0. Kirwan1882-84 Curate Wilfrid Rathmell Ogle. Vicar of Highgate, London

1896-1908.1883 Church Warden E. I. Mayne M. 0. Kirwan I.1883-98 Curate Harvey Stewart. Rector of St. Stephen’s 1908-1934.1884 Church Warden M. 0. Kirwan Mayne B. J.P.1884-88 Curate Charles

William,O’Hara Mease Dean of the Chapel Royal 1913-1922.

1885 Church Warden H. M. Pilkington, Q.C. Martley, Esq, Vincent Jackson1886 Church Warden E. I. Mayne Vincent J.P.1887 Church Warden D. H. Madden, Q.C. Jackson, M.D.1888 Church Warden R. E. Meredith Swanzy, Hon. Townshend1888-1905.

Curate

1888-89 Curate Edward. Champion Wade


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4Hannan

1889 Church Warden H. Vincent J ackson Judge Townshend1889-90 Curate William Fitzgerald. Rector Castletown, Arva U. (Killaloe

1895-1900).1890 Church Warden H. Vincent Jackson Judge J.P.1890-1894 Curate Thomas

Arthur.Macmurrogh Murphy The O’Morchoe”, Rector of Kilternan,

1894-1921.1891 Church Warden 1. I. Twigg,.Q.C. Jackson, H. Vincent J.P.1892 Church Warden Fane Vernon Jackson,1894-1902 Curate Henry Chester Browne. Vicar of Clonsilla 1902-1937.1895 Church Warden G C. May1895 Church Warden M J. Brady1896 Church Warden Lvi J. Brady1897 Church Warden Archibald Robinson1897-1905 Curate James George Carleton. Lecturer in Divinity T.C.D.

1888-19 16.1898 Church Warden Molyneux Barton1898-1903 Curate Charles

Herbert.Pownall Price Rector of Kilbride Bray 1911-1925.

1899 Church Warden Hugh S. Moore1900 Church Warden Hugh S. Moore1901 Church Warden George C. May1902 Church Warden George C. May1903 Curate Edwyn

Francis ,.Heaton Thomas Joined the Anglican community at Kelham,

England.1903 Church Warden George N. Oulton, K.C.1903-07 Curate Thomas

Arnold Harvey. Bishop of Cashel 1935-58.

1904 Church Warden G’eorge N. Oulton, K.C.1904-07 Curate Henry. Lyttleton Lyster

Denny(later Sir Henry Denny,7th Bart.). Rector Burwash, Sussex 1936-53

1905 Church Warden George C. May1906 Church Warden G. C. May1906-14 Curate Henry

Ballinacarrig Dobbs. Vicar of All Saints, Black-rock 1914-1956.

1907 Church Warden Moylneux Barton1908 Church Warden William Lawson1909 Church Warden G. C. May1910 Church Warden Major Vincent1910-13 Curate Richard

Arthur Oulton. Vicar Choral York Minster

1918.1911 Church Warden George N. Oulton, K.C.1912 Church Warden Dr. Trevor Smith1913 Church Warden F. A. Buckley1914 Church Warden G. C. May1914-18 Curate William Elliott. Rector St. James, Edinburgh1921-26,


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4Gerald Rector St. Ninian, Glasgow 1926-29.

1915 Church Warden I. G. Oulton1915-16 Curate Albert Robinson Fowler, Rector Heveringham 1937-49.1916 Church Warden Sir R. Benson1916-27 Curate John Ernest

Leonard Oulton. Regius Professor of Divinity at T.C.D.

1935-1957.1917 Church Warden H’. C. Tisdall1918 Church Warden F. A. Buckley1919 Church Warden E. Leared1919 Church Warden Dr. MacFetridge1919 Church Warden Capt. Lauriston J. Arnott1919-32 Curate Henry Mackenzie Harris. Rector of Kilhiney 1951-63.

Chancellor Christ Church Cathedral 1959-63

1920 Church Warden R. W. Oulton1921 Church Warden W. J. Grierson1922 Church Warden J. T. Herrick1923 Church Warden J. P. Moore, M.D.1924 Church Warden Dr. T. D. Good1925 Church Warden Dr. W. C. MacFetridge1926 Church Warden J. T. Herrick1927 Church Warden E. R. Mackey1927-36 Curate Maurice

Arthur Handy Now Rector of Hacketstown.

1928 Church Warden W H. Carry1929 Church Warden A. C. Newett1930 Church Warden E. G. Armstrong1931 Church Warden Dr. W. C. MacFetridge1932 Church Warden H. C. Tisdall1933 Church Warden A. C.Newett1933-34 Curate Matthew

Thomas Porteus Now Vicar of West Haddon, Rugby.

1934 Church Warden W. H. Carry1935 Church Warden M. J. Growcock1936 Curate Edward. Crawford Mack Community of the Resurrection, Mirfield.1936 Church Warden H. R. Swanzy, M.D.1937 Church Warden G. C. May1939 Curate Jack Albert. Middleton

MacdonaghAssit, Master Rugby School 1942-70. Now Vicar of Orton on the Hill with Twycross.

1939 Church Warden G. C. May1939 Church Warden Hon. Judge Meredith1940 Church Warden Archibald Robinson1941 Church Warden Molyneux Barton1942 Church Warden Molyneux Barton1942. Curate Robert

Donald Macroy. Now Vicar of Stevington 1968.

1943 Church Warden William Lawson


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 41944 Church Warden William Lawson1945 Church Warden W. S. Ward1946 Church Warden W. S. Ward1947 Church Warden F. Elrington Ball1948 Church Warden F. Elrington Ball1949 Church Warden G. F. Brunskill1950 Curate John Sheean Fraser. Now Canon Residentiary of Limerick

Cathedral.1950 Church Warden Dr. Trevor Smith1951 Church Warden Dr. John Barton1952 Church Warden Francis A. Shore1953 Church Warden Hon. Cecil Atkinson1954 Church Warden George N. Oulton, K.C.1955 Church Warden H. C. Tisdall1956 Church Warden I. G. Oulton1957 Church Warden I. T. Harrick1958 Church Warden Wm. Lawson1959 Church Warden H Cole Bowen1960 Church Warden A. H. Bates, K.C.1961 Church Warden Granby Burke1962 Church Warden G. L. Bennett1963 Church Warden G. L. Bennett1964 Church Warden H. Cole Bowen1965 Church Warden W. 0. Murphy1966 Church Warden R. W. Oulton1967 Curate Mervyn Searight Rector of Kilemogh) served for a brief

period 1967/68.1967 Church Warden Dr. W. G. Smith1968 Church Warden Capt. L. J. Arnott1969 Church Warden F. A. Buckley1970 Church Warden H. C. Tisdall1970: Curate Following have ministered in the parish of

St. Ann and St’ Mark with St. Stephen1970-72 Curate William

Simpson Gibbons. Now Rector of Kill-o-TheGrange.

1970-73 Curate Robert John Black. Now Curate Assistant of St. Brigid’s,Stillorgan.

1971 Church Warden R. W. Oulton, B.A.1972 Curate Hubert Cecil Mills.1972 Church Warden 0. Murphy1973 Church Warden E. R. Mackey1974 Curate Clement

Adrian Empey.

1974 Church Warden 1 W. Reeves1974 S Vestry

Sesquicentennial Year Elected 23rd Apr

N.T. Dancey, 34 Ballinaclea Heights, Killiney.


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 41974 S Vestry


Brian Clements, 8 Hastings Street.

1974 S Vestry Sesquicentennial Year Elected 23rd Apr

K. Kearon, Snr., 16 Lakelands Avenue, Stillorgan.


C. N. Macken, 25 Nugent Road, Rathfarnham.


Miss I. F. Jones, 92 Lower Baggot Street.


Miss L. Wilson 8 Albert Place.


Peter McCrodden, 103 Tritonville Road.


H.H. Brown, 1 Upper Cherryfield Avenue,


W A. S. Brown, 32St. Alban’s Park.


Peter Paxton 48 Crannagh Park, Rathfarnham.


K. Kearon, Jnr., 16 Lakelands Avenue, Stillorgan.

l840c Curate William Matur1n. Vicar of G’rangegorman 1843-1887.1974 S Vestry


Mrs. E. Shera, 31 Derrynane Gardens.


T.R. G. Oakes, 2 Wilton Place.


D Evans 24Grand Canal Street, Upper.

1974 Sextoness Mrs. Susan Parry, 2 Northumberland Road.1893 - 1894

Church Warden Hugh S. Moore Fane Vernon Hugh S. Moore

1893 - 1894

Robert Reeves

1924 Baggotrath Church Closed Baptismal and Marriage registers of Baggotrath Church now available in St. Stephen’s Vestry


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 41924 Parish Boundary Revision Divided between the parishes of St.

Stephen’s, St. Bartholomew’s and Christ Church, Leeson Park.

1956 Church Redecoration June 18—July 201957 Funeral March 30 Jack B.. Yeates, R.H.A1961 British Council of

Churches MeetingSunday April 23 - Services in St. Stephen’s: 11 Matins, Preacher Rt. Rev. Roger WilsonD.D., Bishop of Chichester. 7 Evensong, Preacher Rt. Rev. A. C. Craig, D.D., Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

1961 April 25 St. Mark’s Day - 8 o’clock H.C. Attendance included The Most Reverend Geoffrey Fisher, flD., Archbishop of Canterbury. The Most Rev. G. 0. Simms, Archbishop of Dublin. The Rt. Rev. Roger Wilson, D.D., Bishop of Chichester. The Rt. Rev. R. C. H. Elliott, D.D., Bishop of Connor. The Most Rev. A. W. Barton, D.D., formerly


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4Archbishop of Dublin. Ven. C. R. Kitching, formerly Archdeacon of Kildare.

1962 July 15 Royal Canadian Navy 9th Escort Squadron, Visit of 390 men and Officers paraded to St. Stephen’s Church. Preacher Very Rev. T. 0. Olufosoye, Provost St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Ondo Benin, Nigeria

1962 Sept. 28 Funeral Service Most Rev. A. W. Barton, D.D., formerly Archbishop of Dublin,

1963 Feb. 3 : Rt. Rev. Robert Stopford, C.B.E., D.D., D.C.L., Bishop of London attended 8 a.m. Holy Communion

1963 Mission March 3—10: Very Rev. C. I. Peacocke, M.A., Dean of Belfast, now Bishop of Derry.

1963 Festival of Music and Art Rebuilding of the organ

Nov. 21—30

1966 Thanksgiving Service Sir Patrick June 5 - 150th


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4Dun’s Hospital.

anniversary of the foundation

1967 Restoration Church reroofed, reslated, new copper gutters installed. Total cost £6,819.

1967 Holy Week Conductor Rt, Rev, Roger Wilson, D.D., Bishop of Chichester.

1967 May 7—11 a.m. Preacher Rt. Rev. T. 0. Olufosoye, D.D., now Bishop of Ibadan, Nigeria.

1969 Annual Hospitals’ Service inaugurated.

Oct. 18

l973 Church cleaned. Interior walls1974 Sesquicentennial

Celebrations.Dec. l-8

1974 Thanksgiving Service: Dec 8— Preacher Most Rev. A. A. Buchaan, D.D., Archbishop of Dublin.

1930 Church Warden E. R. Mackey1935 Church Warden J. C O’Brien1936 Church Warden Dr. R. V Dowse1937 Church Warden W. D. Gillespie1939 Church Warden E. G. Armstrong1939 Church Warden R. W. Oulton1940 Church Warden J. Grierson

Church Warden W D. GillespieChurch Warden A. C. NewettChurch Warden J. E. StokesChurch Warden H C. Tisdall


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4Church Warden A. E. PickettChurch Warden A. E. PickettChurch Warden E. G. Armstrong

` Church Warden F. J. McDowellChurch Warden William ReevesChurch Warden W. H. CarryChurch Warden J, D. StokesChurch Warden S. G. WilsonChurch Warden W H. Carry

66 Church Warden R. W. OultonChurch WardenChurch WardenChurch Warden Major F. R. CollinsChurch Warden W. B. HackettChurch Warden W. A. S. BrownChurch Warden E. A. KingChurch Warden J. MorrisonChurch Warden J MorrisonChurch Warden R. JacksonChurch Warden D. EvansChurch Warden Major F. R. CollinsChurch Warden C. E. RyanChurch Warden W. ReevesChurch Warden E. WrestChurch Warden N. T. DanceyChurch Warden N. T. DanceyChurch Warden N. T. DanceyChurch Warden R JacksonChurch Warden D. WoodsChurch Warden K. Kearon, Snr.Church Warden H. Burke

1974 Church Warden D. McCrodden1939 Church Warden W. Reeves

Church Warden E. G’. ArmstrongChurch Warden W. BrownChurch Warden A. E. WynneChurch Warden S. G. WilsonChurch Warden A. E. PickettChurch Warden D. EvansChurch Warden J. E. StokesChurch Warden E PickettChurch Warden Major F. R. CollinsChurch Warden Edward J. ArmstrongChurch Warden M. J. GrowcockChurch Warden Major F. R. CollinsChurch Warden D. TowersChurch Warden M. J. GrowcockChurch Warden J. D Stokes, LL.B.Church Warden W. B. , Hackett


St. Stephen’s Church Upper Mount Street, Dublin 4Church Warden Major F. R. CollinsChurch Warden Major F. R. CollinsChurch Warden W. BrownChurch Warden F. A. KingChurch Warden I. PickettChurch Warden J. MorrisonChurch Warden R. JacksonChurch Warden D. EvansChurch Warden Major F. R. CollinsChurch Warden C. E. RyanChurch Warden W. ReevesChurch Warden R. JacksonChurch Warden W. A. S. BrownChurch Warden H. J. GrahamChurch Warden W. ReevesChurch Warden H.H .BrownChurch Warden H. H BrownChurch Warden K. Kearon, Snr.

1974 Church Warden H. Burke


Documents

WAR MEMORIAL - Pepper Canister · Web viewTHE Greek word from which “martyr” is derived can be translated into English by the word “witness”. No account of the Parish would