“Our Lady of Mercy Church Est. 1968” says the lettering on the campanile. This church stands as a testament to faith. It also reflects architectural trends of its time. We’re standing before Our Lady of Mercy Church in Artane, Dublin.
Our Lady of Mercy Church was constituted in 1968 from Coolock. This church isn’t just a building. It’s a focal point for the community. The church was refurbished in 2005 giving it a modern touch.
Note the church’s modernist design. It is a striking departure from traditional church architecture. Built between 1967 and 1968, the church aligns east to west. The altar is unusually at the west end of the eight-bay nave. A single-storey square-plan cloister sits at the northwest with a campanile.
Look at the flat, felted roofs. They have a shallow pitch to gable ends. Copper sheeting adorns the eaves and single-storey roofs. Sand-lime brick walls create a stark monochrome exterior. The recessed entrance vestibule features two slim, full-height rectangular columns.
Notice the narrow, full-height window openings. They are deeply recessed between bay piers. Concrete sills and battered aprons sit behind steel railings. Coloured leaded lights with secondary glazing fill the openings. The principal entrance has a square-headed doorway. Timber sheeted doors open onto a flagged platform. Steps lead to a plaza with steel railings. Secondary entrances lie below windows.
The campanile is a striking feature. The lettering “OUR LADY OF MERCY CHURCH Est. 1968” is elevated. A pierced square-headed belfry is surmounted by a cross.
Inside Our Lady of Mercy Church you find a single-volume interior. Slim square-plan piers rise to a deeply coffered nave ceiling. Generous stained-glass lights illuminate the space. Christopher Campbell designed the stained glass. His work brings vibrant colours to the interior. A plain west wall features an elevated crucifix. The carpeted sanctuary is on a semi-circular plan. It’s raised on two steps. Simple granite altar furniture includes a tabernacle and font. Timber pews and carpeted floors add warmth. Stations of the Cross adorn the organ gallery frontal and nave piers.
Our Lady of Mercy Church stands as a prominent landmark. It is one of several post-Vatican II churches in north Dublin. These churches accommodated large suburban congregations.
The Sisters of Mercy have a rich history of service. Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy in 1831 in Dublin. They vowed poverty, chastity, obedience, and service to those in need. The Sisters focus on modern, progressive care. They also consider spiritual welfare.
Our Lady of Mercy, Artane, continues to serve its parish. Mass is held daily. The community gathers for worship. This church is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a living testament to faith, community, and architectural innovation.