Main Altar
When we travel, we like to visit local churches.
Last summer when we were in Dublin we found this beautiful church
which was just down the street from our apartment.
We were not aware of the church until I looked out our window and saw the church tower. John's Lane street ended across the street from our place.
A little history....
The soaring tower and spire of John's Lane Church on Thomas Street is one of the great landmarks of Dublin and is unusual in that the tower is rectangular rather than square in shape.
Officially known as St. John the Baptist and St. Augustine, the church's popular name comes from the time when it was proscribed to practice Roman Catholicism and parishioners had to use a clandestine chapel in the adjoining John's Lane.
It was built for the Augustinians between 1862 and 1911. James Pearse, Patrick Pearse's father, was the sculptor of the twelve apostles in the niches around the tower. The architect was Edward Welby Pugin who was assisted by George Coppinger Ashlin. The church stands on the site of Dublin's first hospital, St. John's, founded by the Norseman, Ailgred the Palmer (after whom Palmerstown is named).
Shrine of Saint Rita Of Cascia
Notice the guy sitting on the left of the altar.
We think he was a street person....and was sort of guarding the church. He just kept moving his bag around and reading the newspaper.
Shrine of Our Lady Of Good Council
John's Lane is not a museum, but a vital and functioning church with daily Masses and confessions, regular weddings, funerals and all the services you usually associate with a church.
If you would like to learn more about St. John's visit here:
Mumzie
1 comment:
So beautiful it knocks you to your knees which is where you belong in church.
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