Hidden within Dublin’s heart lies St Werburgh’s Church a place steeped in history. Its story begins not with a grand opening but a fire. The original church built in 1178 was consumed by flames in 1311 along with much of the city. Rebuilt and frequented by Bristol men early Dublin settlers St Werburgh’s held chapels dedicated to Our Lady St Martin and St Catherine.
St Werburgh’s Church wasn’t merely a place of worship. It was a pivotal point in Dublin’s social and political life. Archbishop James Ussher a prominent figure served here. Swift’s friend Dr Patrick Delany was its rector in 1730. Its location near Dublin Castle made it a favored parish for the British Lord Lieutenant and his entourage. A special Viceregal pew was added in 1767. The church pew register reveals a who’s who of 18th-century Dublin society.
Disputes arose between St Werburgh’s and St John the Evangelist over parish boundaries specifically concerning houses in Copper Alley and those near Essex Gate and Essex Bridge. Each vestry sought to tax these houses. The church’s strategic position near the castle even led to the removal of its spire around 1810. Castle authorities deemed it a security risk. Ironically the architect Francis Johnston offered to reinforce the spire but his proposal was rejected. The tower followed 26 years later.
St Werburgh’s Church faced another catastrophe in 1754 a fire that left only the stonework and bells intact. A bequest from Sir Philip Hoey funded a new organ. This organ built by Millars of College Street debuted in June 1768. It even played host to a Handel commemoration in 1787. This featured notable Dublin figures. The current organ though restored retains parts of the original 18th-century instrument. Its bellows still bear historical graffiti. Interestingly George Frideric Handel himself rehearsed Messiah using this very organ.
The church’s vaults hold the remains of significant figures. Lord Edward Fitzgerald a United Irishmen commander was buried here in 1798. His captor Major Sirr ironically rests in the churchyard. Other notable burials include Nicholas Sutton Attorney General for Ireland and Sir James Ware a historian. The church also served as a baptism site for composer John Field in 1782.
St Werburgh’s Church a survivor of fires boundary disputes and political upheavals. It stands as a testament to Dublin’s enduring spirit. Its history is woven into the fabric of the city itself. It’s a tangible link to the past. You are standing before a living monument to faith resilience and the rich tapestry of Dublin’s history.