A tale of faith echoes from the stones of Christ Church, Taney. This house of worship has been a pillar of the Dundrum community for centuries. Let’s step back in time and explore its fascinating story.
Christ Church, Taney’s story begins with Saint Nathi. Saint Nathi established a monastic center in the 6th century. This center may have been on the site of St. Nahi’s Church. The name Taney comes from the Irish Teach Nahi or Nahi’s house. Tamhnach could be another source. It means a green field or arable spot.
Religious worship occurred here long before the Anglo-Norman Invasion. The Rural See of Taney appeared in a report in 1152. Later, it was called “the Deanery of Tanhy.”
Henry II gave Leinster to Strongbow. Tacheny was held back and given to Hugh de Clahull. He later passed his Dublin lands to the Archbishop of Dublin. In 1179, there was a reference to “the middle place of Tighney.” It had a church and three chapels. They were at Donnybrook, Kilgobbin and Rathfarnham.
In 1235, J. Matthew was the Rural Dean of Taney. Archbishop Luke established Taney as a prebend of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The Archdeacons of Dublin held the Prebendary and Rector posts until 1851. Curates-in-charge mainly oversaw the parish.
The parish became part of the State Church. This happened sometime between Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. The Roman Catholic heritage became part of a Union Parish. It was overseen from Booterstown. In 1546, Taney Rectory was mentioned. Annual rentals totaled 19 pounds. This was the resident curate’s salary. By 1615, the Church and Chancel were in good repair. Prayer books were available.
By 1630, rentals rose to 100 pounds a year. The church was in poor condition. Only two householders attended. Most locals still followed the Roman Catholic Church. In 1760, Taney Church was rebuilt. Archdeacon Isaac Mann presented a chalice to mark the occasion. The new building was consecrated on June 8th of that year.
As the local population grew, the old church became too small. Discussions began in 1809 about replacing it. A new church would be more spacious. The first proposal for the site of Christ Church failed. The decision to build was made in 1814. Christ Church was modeled after the new church at Monkstown.
Christ Church opened in 1818. The Archbishop of Cashel issued a licence. An initial consecration occurred on June 21st, 1818. This Christ Church was smaller than the current building. Easter Vestry accounts of 1824 show costs for a vestry room. A 5-hundredweight bell and a sexton’s house were added.
Taney became an independent parish in 1851. The chaplaincy of the Central Criminal Lunatic Asylum was attached to the rector’s post. In 1871, the stained glass east window was dedicated. The Roe family paid for it. Henry Roe also bought a new organ. He famously paid for the restoration of Christ Church Cathedral.
Christ Church was fully consecrated on June 10th, 1872. The Archbishop of Dublin performed the ceremony. By 1873, a cottage was too small for the eastern congregation. The Earl of Pembroke offered a site in Mount Merrion. St Thomas’ Church was built there in 1874.
In 1895, a work on the Parish of Taney was published. In 1897, a new Church of Ireland School was established. By 1900, Taney Parish comprised many townlands.
In 1901, W. Monk Gibbon was appointed rector. He founded a Dundrum Company of the Boys’ Brigade. In 1909, services in St. Nahi’s Church were suspended. This was due to the dangerous condition of the roof.
A. W. F. Orr became rector in 1935. In 1945, a meeting addressed the decline of parish organizations.
St. Thomas’s became the parish church for Mount Merrion in 1956. Walter Burrows became rector in 1959. Desmond Sinnamon became rector in 1983. In 1991, a new Parish Centre was opened.
In 2000, the church was selected for the old peal of change-ringing bells. They came from St George’s Church in Dublin City.
Today, Taney is the largest Church of Ireland parish in Ireland. It has over 800 families and more than 2000 parishioners.
The organ of Christ Church Taney has an interesting history. It was originally built by Forster and Andrews. Most of its current pipework comes from a Telford organ. The organ was moved to Taney in 1989.
Christ Church, Taney stands as a testament to faith. It has served the community for centuries. Its rich history and beautiful architecture make it a landmark. Take a moment to appreciate the enduring legacy of Christ Church, Taney. It is more than just a building. It is a living story.