19 December 2016

Unique windows are
part of the heritage of
Saint Mary’s, Julianstown

Saint Mary’s Church, Julianstown, Co Meath ... stands on the site of earlier churches (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2016)

Patrick Comerford

I have preached before in Saint Mary’s Church, Julianstown, Co Meath, and during my schooldays nearby in Gormanston it was a church I loved to visit in my teens. But I had never before photographed the interior of the church until last Saturday. Two of us were on our way to Laytown and Bettystown for a walk on the beach and a late lunch in Relish when we noticed the church door was opened, and we received a warm welcome from parishioners who were decorating the church in advance of Sunday evening’s carol service.

Julianstown was for long the seat of the Moore family who lived in Julianstown House and who farmed the land that now contains the townland of Julianstown West.

There has been a church on this for centuries. In the Middle Ages, the church lands here were part of the Irish possessions of the Welsh abbey of Llanthony. The parish later came into the hands of the Earls of Drogheda, who retained the right of appointing the clergy until the disestablishment of the Church of Ireland.

The original ecclesiastical designation was Nanny, derived from the River Nanny which flows nearby and into the Irish Sea at Laytown. The church survived the Battle of Julianstown in 1641, and Cromwell's destruction of Drogheda in 1649. The church in Julianstown is described in Dopping’s Visitation Book, compiled between 1682 and 1685.

Saint Mary’s Church was built ca1770 on the site of an earlier church, and Taylor and Skinner’s 1783 Road Map of Ireland refers to the Moore family home and shows the parish church on the site of the present church.

Over the centuries, this church has been restored, rebuilt and enlarged, but the present building is largely a creation of the 1860s. The church was extended and remodelled from 1861-1863, to the designs of Welland and Gillespie, who incorporated parts of the 1770 church in the nave.

Inside Saint Mary’s Church, Julianstown, designed by William John Welland and William Gillespie (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2016)

William John Welland and William Gillespie were appointed joint architects to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in May 1860, after the death of Joseph Welland. Both men were already working for the Church Commissioners, and continued to hold their post until the disestablishment of the Church of Ireland at the end of 1870. During those ten years, they developed an increasingly personal and idiosyncratic version of Gothic in the churches which they designed.

William John Welland (ca 1832-1895) was a younger son of Joseph Welland, successively architect to the Board of First Fruits and to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and his wife Sophia Margaret (Mills). He was educated at Trinity College Dublin (BA, 1855, MA, 1879), and may have entered the architects’ department of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners directly from TCD. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (FRIAI) in 1863, and died in 1895.

William Gillespie (1818-1899) was a son of William Stawell Gillespie of Cork and his wife Catherine Terry Williams. By 1847, he was working as a district inspector for the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.

He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland (FRSAI) in 1855. But he had no formal qualifications as a professional architect, and it is said he had only served a few years to a country builder and measurer before his appointment by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in 1860. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (FRIAI) in 1863 and later served as a council member (1868-1870).

Gillespie spent his last days in Plympton House, near Plymouth, Devon, a private lunatic asylum belonging to a Dr Charles Aldridge, where he died of ‘senile decay’ on 20 December 1899.

The church designed by Welland and Gillespie in Julianstown is a detached church, with a four-bay side elevation to the nave, a single-bay chancel and vestry to the east, and a gable porch to the south elevation, and incorporating parts of the fabric of the earlier church dating from ca 1770.

The church retains many interesting features and materials, such as the dressed limestone, pointed-arched windows, and stone finials.

The chancel and altar in Saint Mary’s Church, Julianstown, were designed by James Franklin Fuller (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2016)

The chancel and altar were added to the church in 1914 through the generosity of Colonel Charles Pepper family of Ballygarth Castle, to designs by James Franklin Fuller (1835-1924). The builders were McLaughlin and Harvey.

Fuller’s architectural legacy includes Kylemore Abbey, Co Galway, Ashford Castle in Cong, Co Mayo, the Great Southern Hotel, Parknasilla, Co Kerry, Saint Anne’s House, Raheny, Farmleigh House at the Phoenix Park in Dublin, the Superintendent’s Lodge in Saint Stephen’s Green, Dublin, the Gallaher Building on the corner of D’Olier Street and Hawkins Street, Dublin, the former National Bank building on Arran Quay, Dublin, and the Rectory at Saint Brigid’s Church, Stillorgan.

The AΩ symbol in the centre of the altar designed by James Franklin Fuller (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2016)

Fuller’s work at Saint Mary’s in Julianstown includes the elaborate altar decorated with figures of the four evangelists on the front and the AΩ symbol in the centre.

The pointed arch windows are set in openings with ashlar limestone dressings. These windows together form a unique collection of stained glass windows by Clayton and Bell and Heaton, Butler and Bayne – two English-based partnerships that were among the leading firms of Gothic Revival stained glass manufacturers, and whose work was commissioned by the principal Victorian architects.

The three lancet windows in the chancel are by Clayton and Bell and are dated 1884. They were commissioned by Thomas St George Pepper of Ballygarth Castle, Juilanstown, and depict: Christ healing the daughter of the Syro-Phoenician woman and Christ healing the Centurion’s servant (left); the Raising of Lazarus, the Good Shepherd and Christ blessing the Children (centre); and Christ healing the woman with an issue of blood and Christ healing the Blind Man (right).

The Risen Christ appearing to Mary Magdalene (1899), one of the four windows by Heaton, Butler and Bayne in Saint Mary’s Church, Julianstown (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2016)

The four windows by Heaton, Butler and Bayne in Julianstown depict the Risen Christ appearing to Mary Magdalene (1899), in memory of Henry St George Osborne of Dardistown Castle; the Agony in the Garden and Christ carrying the Cross (1907), in memory of Henry Moore, his wife and their children; Angels with Scrolls (1907); and the Ascension (1907). The Ascension is depicted in four parts in three lancet windows at the West End, and this collection was donated in memory of three members of the Tunstall Moore family.

The Faithful Warrior window by Michael Healy in Saint Mary’s Church, Julianstown (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2016)

The other attractive stained glass windows in the church include one designed by Michael Healy (1873-1941) of An Túr Gloine Studios, depicting the Faithful Warrior, in memory of Lieutenant-Colonel John McDonnell of Kilsharvan House, between Duleek and Bellewstown.

Colonel McDonnell was part of the 5th Battalion of the Leinsters, attached to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, when he was killed in 1918. He was buried in the Resevoir Cemetery in Ypres, Belgium, In 1924, when the official headstone was placed on his grave, the initial grave marker from 1918 was brought to Kilsharvan graveyard and inset into the wall as a memorial to him. His son, Lieutenant Robert Edward McDonnell, was killed in Libya in 1941 during World War II and was buried in Benghazi War Cemetery.

Saint Mary’s Church, Julianstown, has an interesting collection of Clayton and Bell windows (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2016)

Other windows in the church by Clayton and Bell commemorate seven officers of the Royal Meath regiment who were killed in World War I.

The tower and spire proposed by Welland and Gillespie in 1863 were never erected, and the present three-stage tower and steeple were built through the generosity once again of Colonel Charles Pepper of Ballygarth Castle in 1906-1907, and again to designs by James Franklin Fuller. The builders were McLaughlin and Harvey.

The church has a pitched slate roof with ridge cresting and stone finials. There are squared limestone walls with tooled limestone quoins.

There is a pair of timber doors with wrought-iron detailing. In the church porch, a fragment of a High Cross came from Saint Columba’s Church, Colpe, Drogheda, and dates from the 10th century.

There is a single-storey modern building to the west.

The graveyard to the north and east of the church is enclosed by a rubble stone wall. Here the setting of the church is enhanced by the carved limestone grave markers. The ashlar limestone gate piers are set in rock-faced limestone walls with cast-iron railings and a pair of gates.

Outside the church is an interesting stone known locally as the Apostles’ Stone. This sculpture was originally located in the chapel of Ballylehane Castle, Co Laois, owned by the Hovenden family from 1549 to 1820. It was moved to Dardistown Castle and finally to this church in Julianstown.

The sculpture consists of three stones. Because of its depiction of 12 figures it became known as the Apostles’ Stone. The figures appear to be priests each wearing a hood and girdle; some have beards and some are clean shaven.

The cemetery is also believed to hold the grave of Anne Tandy, wife of Napper Tandy (1737-1803). He was a merchant, volunteer and radical politician who was born in Dublin, and a key figure in the 1798 Rising.

The figures of Saint Matthew and Saint Mark on the front of the altar designed by James Franklin Fuller (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2016)

Today, the Church of Ireland Parish of Julianstown and South Drogheda covers the area between the River Boyne and the River Delvin in South Louth and East Meath, including all of south Drogheda, Mornington, Bettystown, Laytown, Julianstown, Mosney and Gormanston on the coast, and inland incorporating Bellewstown, Stamullen and Duleek.

There are about 130 Church of Ireland households in the parish. In addition to business and farming families who have lived in the area for many years, there are families that recently moved there. Saint Mary’s Julianstown, is the only church in the parish, and this is the only single-church incumbency in the Diocese of Meath and Kildare. The churches at Saint Mary’s, Drogheda, and Saint Columba’s, Colpe, closed in recent years, although the churchyards are also still in use.

A new rector is expected in the parish next March.

Welcoming Christ in the stranger
who arrives at the cathedral

The Lady Chapel in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, on the Fourth Week in Advent (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2016)

Patrick Comerford

Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin,

19 December 2016, Monday in Week 4 of Advent,

12.45 p.m., The Eucharist

Judges 13:2-7, 24-25; Gospel: Luke 1:5-25.


In the name of + the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

I know it is not normal to have a sermon at this mid-day Eucharist in the Lady Chapel, but I thought it might be a good idea to share a few thoughts on our Gospel reading this afternoon.

This is the Fourth Week in Advent, and serving as the deacon at the Cathedral Eucharist yesterday [18 December 2016], before reading the Gospel, I lit the fourth candle on the Advent wreath.

The candles we have lit so far recall the Patriarchs, the Prophets, and Saint John the Baptist, and this week’s candle reminds us of the role of the Virgin Mary in the salvific story, the story of the Incarnation, the Christmas story.

Today’s Gospel reading invites us to make a number of comparisons: between Zechariah and Joseph, between Elizabeth and Mary, between John the Baptist and coming Christ.

It has fallen as my lot, for various reasons, as a canon of the cathedral, to preside at the Eucharist today. And in the Gospel story it had fallen on Zechariah as his lot to serve the liturgy (see verse 23) in the Temple.

Zechariah and Elizabeth have no children. Elizabeth is ‘getting on in years’ (verse 7), meaning perhaps she is now in her early 40s. Yet she is a cousin of Mary, who is probably in her early teens. Two cousins, separated in age by a few years, and by many miles from each other, are about to become pregnant.

But compare Zechariah and Joseph. Both have dreams and the angel speaks to them. Joseph has no spoken part, he is silent and he obeys. Zechariah cannot believe what he hears and is made silent.

But both do. They don’t just listen; they listen and in their action they show what they truly believe.

What was Zechariah expecting in the Temple? Was he expecting to meet God? Was he expecting in serving the liturgy to prepare the way for God’s presence among us?

This afternoon we are meeting Christ in Word and Sacrament in this cathedral. But there is a third way we meet Christ in this Cathedral.

The Rule of Saint Benedict reminds Benedictines to welcome all who arrive at their doors as if they are welcoming Christ himself. ‘All who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say, “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me”.’

Presumably, Zechariah was welcomed home by Elizabeth (see verse 23). Later Elizabeth welcomes Mary. Within the next week, we welcome Christ into our homes and lives once again at Christmas.

But as volunteers and staff in this Cathedral, we need to be aware that people come to this place as visitors and tourists, yet also have an opportunity to meet Christ. Do we welcome them as Christ, and do they encounter Christ in our welcome?

This is a challenge in today’s Gospel reading.

And so, may all we think, say and do be to the praise, honour and glory of God, + Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.

Praying in Advent with USPG,
(23): 19 December 2016

THE DELHI BROTHERHOOD SOCIETY | FAITH IN ACTION from USPG on Vimeo.


Patrick Comerford

This is the last week of Advent, and we are just six days away from Christmas Day. Throughout this time of preparation for Christ’s coming at Christmas, I am praying each morning in Advent and using for my reflections the prayer diary of the Anglican mission agency, USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel).

This week, the prayers in the USPG Prayer Diary focus on the church’s support for children worldwide, drawing insights from the work of the Delhi Brotherhood Society with children and women.

The USPG Prayer Diary:

Monday 19 December 2016:


Give thanks for children – for the joy they bring and for wisdom they have to share.

Readings (Revised Common Lectionary, the Church of Ireland, Holy Communion):

Judges 13: 2-7, 24, 25; Psalm 71: 3-8; Luke 1: 5-25.

The Collect of the Day:

God our redeemer,
who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary
to be the mother of your Son:
Grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour,
so we may be ready to greet him
when he comes again as our judge;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

The Advent Collect:

Almighty God,
Give us grace to cast away the works of darkness
and to put on the armour of light
now in the time of this mortal life
in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;
that on the last day
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty
to judge the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Continued tomorrow