Beneath Dublin’s sprawling sky lies St Thomas the Apostle Church. It is a vibrant hub of faith. This church stands in the Laurel Lodge district. St Thomas the Apostle parish is not just a building. It is a community of believers. All are welcome here.
Let’s step back in time. In the 19th century, the Roman Catholic parish of Blanchardstown included much of Dublin 15. After the relaxation of the Penal Laws, Catholics could build more churches. Fr Michael Dungan, parish priest of Blanchardstown in 1839, built new churches. These churches became independent parishes. St Brigid’s Church in Blanchardstown was built in 1837. It became the mother church of twelve others. St Thomas the Apostle parish was one of them. It was formed from St. Brigid’s over 156 years.
St Thomas the Apostle parish was created in 1989. It was formed out of the parish of Our Lady, Mother of the Church. This parish lies to the east. St Mochta’s parish is to the south and west. St Bridget’s parish is to the north. The Royal Canal marks the northern boundary. The M50 motorway forms the eastern edge. Carpenterstown Road is the southern boundary. The Riverwood estate approaches mark the western edge. Laurel Lodge, Carpenterstown Park, Bramley, Oaktree, Laverna, and Ashleigh estates comprise it.
The Church of St Thomas the Apostle can seat 600 people. Joseph Kennedy of Edward N. Smith & Kennedy designed it. Matthew Wallace Builders built it. The design was deliberately low-key. It aimed to integrate into the community. Cardinal Desmond Connell laid the foundation stone on 21 February 1993. The church opened on 6 June 1993. Besides the main church, there is a Day Chapel and Community Room. It has a Parish Office and Sacristy.
Behind the altar, you will find an eight-foot high triple stained glass window. The Harry Clarke studio created it. It depicts the Immaculate Conception. The Dominican Sisters from Dún Laoghaire donated it. Their convent sadly closed. The window was restored and carefully preserved.
Notice the white marble carving. It depicts Our Lady giving the Rosary to Saints Catherine and Dominic. The Dominican Sisters also donated this. Padraig and Willie Pearse’s father carved it in the late 19th century. He had a stoneworks on Great Brunswick Street, now Pearse Street.
Patrick Gallagher’s Gallagher Group built the Laurel Lodge estates in the 1980s. They set aside land for community use. This land was given to the Church. The present church, courtyard, car park, parochial house, primary school, community center, credit union, Montessori crèche, and community garden were built here.
Mass times at St Thomas the Apostle are as follows. Monday to Friday mass is at 10 am. Saturday Vigil Mass is at 6:30 pm. Sunday Masses are at 9:30 am and 11:30 am. Adoration takes place every Wednesday from 8 pm to 9 pm in Laurel Lodge church.
Pastors who have served here include Rev. Eugene Kennedy from 1983 to 2005. Then Rev. Michael Cullen from 2005 to 2014. Rev. Brendan Quinlan served from 2014 to 2021. The current pastor is Rev. Damian McNeice, who began in 2021.
The essence of St Thomas the Apostle Church lies not just within its walls. It lives in its people. It thrives in its community spirit. It is a beacon of faith.