Gazing upon the Church of Saint John the Baptist, one might wonder about the stories it holds. The Church of Saint John the Baptist stands proudly in Blackrock, County Dublin. It’s a significant landmark, a testament to faith and architectural brilliance. The Church of Saint John the Baptist first opened its doors in 1845. It was dedicated on September 14th of that same year by Archbishop Daniel Murray. The land upon which the church stands was a gift from Valentine Lawless, the 2nd Baron Cloncurry. His summer home, Maretimo House, was nearby. The Church of Saint John the Baptist replaced the chapel of the Carmelite monastery on Sweetman’s Avenue. The old chapel was eventually demolished and a new chapel built in its place. This new chapel is now part of the Blackrock Hospice. Architect Patrick Byrne designed the Church of Saint John the Baptist. It’s a prime example of the Gothic Revival style and was the first of its kind in the Dublin Archdiocese. The design is said to be inspired by Augustus Welby Pugin. The original structure consisted of the nave, chancel, and bell tower. Look closely at the rear of the church. You’ll see two carved heads on either side of the rose window. One depicts St. John the Baptist, and the other portrays Archbishop Daniel Murray. The church expanded over time. In 1850, an aisle, baptistry, vestry, and a chapel dedicated to Our Lady were added. Later, in the early 1930s, St. Anne’s aisle was constructed, incorporating St. Anne’s chapel and the Blessed Sacrament chapel. Inside, the Church of Saint John the Baptist houses stunning stained-glass windows. Two windows, created by the Harry Clarke Studio, were installed in 1925, thanks to a donation from the Murphy family. The Early Studios contributed new windows to St. Anne’s aisle in 1932. A notable window by Evie Hone, one of her last works, was presented in 1955 by the McGuire family. The Church of Saint John the Baptist continues to serve the community, a place of worship and a symbol of enduring history.
Saint John the Evangelist
Whispers of history echo from these stones. This is the site of Saint John the Evangelist. Once a vibrant church