behind scenes - Source

Dublin's Mansion House, designed for
King George IV's visit in 1821.
The church is built entirely of local
granite with a slated roof. The north
and south walls have tall lancet windows,
all originally with small leaded
panes, the walls being divided into sections
by six buttresses on each side corresponding
with the interior transverse
arches. These arches perhaps surprisingly
are of timber plastered over to look
like stone and serve no useful purpose
as they would be quite incapable of
load bearing. The west end with its high
arched entrance door is surmounted by
the bell tower and tall spire. One of the
original windows, somewhat shortened,
can still be seen on the south wall
behind the reading desk from the time
when the present vestry room was
added in 18 7 6. The erection of this useful
addition to the building was the result
of the generous gift from the family
of the late Courtney Kenny Clarke of
Larch Hill, a brass plaque over the door
leading into the vestry room commemorating
this fact. The unstained east
window also consists of small leaded
panes, although again this is not the original
for the church as built did not
have the present chancel. What is now
the chancel arch was part of the original
end wall which contained a fine Gothic
style window with an oak sill.
Some of the items in the original estimate
and specification make interesting
reading; for example fourteen and a
half perches of mason work was to go
into the foundation of the tower, large
blocks not less than three hundredweights
in weight to be bedded in mortar.
One marvels at the enormous task
of transporting and putting into position
granite blocks of this size before
the advent of motor vehicles and
cranes—the workmen of that time
were made of sterner stuff! The cost of
the fourteen and a half perches of
masonry was to be the sum of £6.10.6.
The two doors cost £2.0.0 each, complete
with iron rimmed locks, whilst
the magnificent Gothic window came
out at £50-0-0 complete.
There are two stained glass windows,
that on the south side having been
erected to the memory of the late
Colonel Hercules Rowley, for many
years a valued member of the Select
Vestry. This magnificent window incorporates
a scene from The Book of
Revelation, Chapter 14 and Verse 13
with the words T heard a Voice from
Heaven saying unto me "Write from
henceforth, Blessed are the Dead which
die in the Lord". Even so saith the Spirit
for they rest from their labour.'The
erection of a memorial window to commemorate
the members of the parish
who gave their lives in the 1914—1918
War was considered in January 1920
and a suitable design was approved,
Messrs. J. Clarke & Son being commissioned
to provide a window at a cost
not exceeding £100, to be erected on
the north side of the church, opposite
the Rowley window. Apparently the
window as fitted did not comply with
the design approved as in November
1921 the contractor was instructed to
remove the figures included in the design
which departed from that intended.
Presumably this was done to the
satisfaction of all concerned as there is
no further reference in the minutes.
The window is dedicated to the memory
of the following who made the supreme
sacrifice:
Captain W.J. Davis-60th Rifles 1915
2nd Lieutenant E. Farren—Black
Watch 1915
Pte. Robt. McFadzean—Cameron Highlanders
1915
Lieutenant H. G. Killingley—Royal
Dublin Fusiliers 1916
Pte. G. Baldwin-Tank Corps 1917
2nd Lieutenant W. C. Tosdevon—
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