Gazing upon this curious ruin, have you ever considered its past? This is St. Nicholas’ Within. It stands as a shell of a space. Today we will explore its history. We will uncover its secrets.
St. Nicholas’ Within was once a thriving parish church. It is located at Nicholas Street and Christchurch Place. Its story began in the 11th century. Bishop Donat built the original church. He dedicated it to Saint Nicholas of Myra. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors.
In the early 14th century, St. Nicholas’ parish expanded. It included the Manor of St. Sepulchre and the Deanery of St. Patrick. The parish then divided into two parts. There was St. Nicholas Within the Walls and St. Nicholas Without.
The church of St. Nicholas Within fell into disrepair in the 17th century. It was rebuilt in 1707. Sir William Robinson was the architect. Thomas Burgh completed the work. He was Surveyor General at the time.
By 1835, St. Nicholas’ Within faced problems again. It was unroofed. But St. Mary’s chapel in the church remained in use until 1847. Plans were made to demolish the church. The plans included building a new one. This never happened. In 1867, the parish united with St. Audoen’s.
St. Nicholas’ Within was never considered elegant. Its congregation dwindled. The steeple was removed in 1825. Disuse followed shortly afterward.
Lord Iveagh played a role in preserving the ruin. He improved housing in the area. He widened Nicholas Street. There were calls to remove the ruin of St. Nicholas’ Within. Lord Iveagh instead had it taken down and rebuilt. It was set back from its original location. This allowed for a wider street.
In 1191, Pope Celestine III’s Bull mentions the parish. It lists prebends. St. Nicholas’ Within was the smallest parish in Dublin. It measured just over five acres. In 1867, the population was 1,838. Only 184 belonged to the Church of Ireland.
Dublin Corporation took over most of the graveyard. This was when building the Tholsel nearby. Only a passage to the vaults remained. The parish registers contain the names of those interred.
Speaker Nathaniel Catelyn was buried here in 1637. Soldier Alexander Montgomery was buried here in 1729. Chief Justice Sir Robert Doyne was buried here in 1733.
King Edward IV allowed John Tiptoft to found a chantry in 1469. It honored God and the Virgin Mary. Masses were said for the founders and the departed. The chantry was in St. Mary’s chapel. It was under the Augustinian Friars of England.
During the Interregnum, several Dublin mayors worshipped here. They attended Dr. Samuel Winter’s services. Jonathan Edwards became curate here in 1661. He later became Archdeacon of Derry.
Today, St. Nicholas’ Within stands as a reminder of Dublin’s past. It has witnessed centuries of change. It has survived demolition threats. It remains a testament to the city’s rich history. Take a moment to appreciate this resilient ruin. Consider the stories it could tell.