Whispers of history echo from these stones. This is the site of Saint John the Evangelist. Once a vibrant church it stood proudly on Fishamble Street. It was founded way back in 1168 by a native Irishman named Giolla Michell.
Imagine this bustling Dublin street. This church wasn’t always here. It was originally attached to Christ Church. This was run by the Augustinian Order. It was quite different then. Fishamble Street only reached as far as Neal’s Music Hall. The area where the church stood was known as Bothestret. Inside the church there was a chapel dedicated to St Mary and another to St John. This was used by the Guild of Tailors.
In the 14th century a special event occurred. A Miracle Play celebrating the Resurrection was performed at Easter. This magnificent spectacle would have drawn crowds. This was a momentous occasion for the church and the city.
The church underwent many changes. Arland Ussher rebuilt it in the 16th century. He was the nephew of Dublin’s mayor. The rebuilt church had a chancel nave and two aisles. There were vaults beneath and a belfry housing three bells.
Another reconstruction took place in 1681. This time the walls were only 24 feet high. The pews were shared among families. Wealthy families like the Bladens and Hutchinsons had seats. These families were part of the fabric of this parish. Their names are still linked with Saint John the Evangelist.
A significant renovation happened in the mid-18th century. The church was rebuilt to a design by George Ensor. The renovation was funded by the government and other contributors. The pews were auctioned off to the highest bidders. This ensured the wealthiest had prime seating. Alderman Robert Smith donated to the purchase of an organ. Unfortunately this organ never worked correctly.
The interior was described as plain but handsome. The galleries featured oak. Their front was varnished and panelled. One gallery displayed the Guild of Tailors’ crest. Their motto “I was naked and you clothed me” was taken from an earlier iteration of the Tailors’ Hall.
In 1878 the church was closed. This was after the parish united with St Werburgh’s. The pulpit and other items were moved. The church was converted into a parochial hall. It was then demolished in 1884 to make way for a new Mission Hall.
The churchyard held many notable burials. This included titled people aldermen sheriffs and more. There were over 12500 burials. John Atherton a bishop had an unusual request. He asked to be buried in a rubbish dump in the churchyard after his execution. His grave was a far cry from the grandeur of the church itself. His humble final resting place is a fascinating footnote in the church’s history.
Saint John the Evangelist’s legacy lives on. Though the church building itself is gone its history and stories endure. It’s a testament to the enduring spirit of Dublin. The lives it touched the events it witnessed. They echo through time. They are whispered on the very ground we stand upon today.