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

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

History

A view of the nave

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

In 1838 the Vincentian order, under Dean Philip Dowley, took over the running of the church.[1]

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

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

You could hardly be called a Dubliner if you hadn't heard of St. Peter's Church, Phibsborough. Standing proudly on Dublin's Northside, each stone of this noble landmark bears the story of hundreds of Irish people of many generations who dared to dream a dream.[2]

Decorative

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

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

Organ

The pipe organ, dating from 1910, is originally a Magahy instrument.[3] The instrument was majorly rebuilt and refurbished between 1947 and 1949 by the Conacher organ company. At this time it was a very highly-regarded instrument. In 1952, Jeanne Demessieux gave a recital here.

Specification Of The St. Peter's Organ

The console of the St. Peter's organ in the west gallery. Note the unusual stop tabs.
PedalGreatSwellChoirCouplers
32' Harmonic Bass16' Double Diapson16' Lieblich Bourdon16' Contra ViolaCh/Gt
16' Open Diapason8' Open Dia. No.18' Small Open Dia.8' Open DiapasonSw/Gt
16' Violone8' Open Dia. No.28' Stop'd Diapson8' Viol D'OrchestreSw Sub-Octave/Gt
16' Sub bass8' Open Dia. No.38' Echo Gamba8' GedacktSw Octave/Gt
16' Lieblich Bourdon8' Harmonic Flute8' Dulciana Celeste4' ViolaSw/Ped
8' Open Diapson8' Hohl Flute4' Principal4' Harmonic FluteGt/Ped
8' Principal4' Principal4' Wald Flute2' ViolinCh/Ped
8' Cello4' Octave2' Fifteenth2' Harmonic PiccoloSw/Ch
8' Bass Flute4' Concert FluteMixture III11⁄3' Larigot
4' Principal22⁄3' Twelfth8' OboeMixture III
4' Flute2' FifteenthTremulantMixture II
16' BombardeMixture III8' Harmonic Trumpet8' Cromorne
8' Trompette16' TrompetteOctaveTremulant
4' Clairon8' TrompetteSub Octave16' Trompette
4' Trompette8' Trompette
4' Trompette
Choir Octave
Choir Sub Octave

References

  1. ↑ St Peters Dublin www.vincentians.ie
  2. ↑ A History Of Cabra And Phibsborough, Bernard Neary
  3. ↑ Dictionary of Organs and Organists
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