St. James' Church and Cemetery
Encyclopedia
St. James' Church a former Church of Ireland
church in James Street, Dublin, Ireland
, was established in 1707. The corresponding parish, which was separated from that of nearby St. Catherine's, was established in 1710. There had been a shrine dedicated to St. James at nearby St. James Gate, a stopping-off point for pilgrims, since medieval times.
. The church is now closed to the public. It is the burial place of the Rev. John Ellis, for 34 years vicar of this parish, and of William Ellis, governor of Patna
, India, who was killed during a war there in 1763.
By the end of the 13th century the western suburbs had so increased in population that a separate parish was deemed necessary, which was provided for by splitting the parish of St. James and setting up an independent parish for St. Catherine's. Both parishes were still subservient to the Abbey of St. Thomas, but in 1539 the abbey was dissolved with all the monasteries by Henry VIII. In the surrender made by Henry Duffe, last Abbot, were included "the Churches of St. Catherine and St. James near Dublin." Both churches, now independent, had new curates appointed by the crown: Sir John Brace to St. Catherine's (which was shortly taken over by Peter Ledwich) and Sir John Butler to St. James. Over the following hundred years both churches passed over to the reformed church, while Roman Catholic priests led a precarious existence tending to the larger part of the population, which remained faithful to the old religion.
The parish of St. Catherine appears to have been the only viable one in the area at that time - Roman Catholics eventually got the use of a chapel in Dirty Lane (now Bridgefoot St.) towards the end of the 17th century.
The Roman Catholic parish of St. James was set up in 1724, while the Church of Ireland parish of the same name came into existence in 1710.
Both Church of Ireland parishes corresponded with the civil parishes of the same names.
In the centre of the cemetery is a monument of Theobald Butler (of the Butlers of Ballyline), a barrister who assisted in framing the articles of the Treaty of Limerick
in 1691, and who advocated the Catholic cause before parliament. His monument has a Latin epitaph stating that it was erected by his eldest son “to the best of fathers.” It was restored by Colonel Augustus BUTLER D.L. of Co. Clare, grandson in the fourth generation, 1876.
Also buried here is Sergeant-Major John Lucas
, VC
, who died 4 March 1892.
Across the road from the church, in the middle of the road, is the "Fountain", an obelisk with 4 sundials with a drinking fountain at its base, built in 1790 by the Duke of Rutland, the Lord Lieutenant. It was an old custom that funeral processions passing the Fountain would circle it three times before carrying on to the cemetery.
(1749–1813) was a clergyman at this church, before going on to St. Catherine's Church
.
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
church in James Street, Dublin, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, was established in 1707. The corresponding parish, which was separated from that of nearby St. Catherine's, was established in 1710. There had been a shrine dedicated to St. James at nearby St. James Gate, a stopping-off point for pilgrims, since medieval times.
The Church
The church building dates from 1859 and was designed by Joseph Welland (1798–1860)Joseph Welland (architect)
Joseph Welland was born in County Cork and became an Irish Architect for the Board of First Fruits and later the Ecclesiastical Commissioners...
. The church is now closed to the public. It is the burial place of the Rev. John Ellis, for 34 years vicar of this parish, and of William Ellis, governor of Patna
Patna
Paṭnā , is the capital of the Indian state of Bihar and the second largest city in Eastern India . Patna is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world...
, India, who was killed during a war there in 1763.
The parishes of St. James and St. Catherine
In 1177 the parish of St. James is mentioned as part of the abbey of St. Thomas (from which Thomas St. got its name), and the church of St. Catherine was a chapel-of-ease to the abbey. The boundaries of the parish of St. James were defined by St. Laurence O'Toole and extended right up to the city gate at Corn Market.By the end of the 13th century the western suburbs had so increased in population that a separate parish was deemed necessary, which was provided for by splitting the parish of St. James and setting up an independent parish for St. Catherine's. Both parishes were still subservient to the Abbey of St. Thomas, but in 1539 the abbey was dissolved with all the monasteries by Henry VIII. In the surrender made by Henry Duffe, last Abbot, were included "the Churches of St. Catherine and St. James near Dublin." Both churches, now independent, had new curates appointed by the crown: Sir John Brace to St. Catherine's (which was shortly taken over by Peter Ledwich) and Sir John Butler to St. James. Over the following hundred years both churches passed over to the reformed church, while Roman Catholic priests led a precarious existence tending to the larger part of the population, which remained faithful to the old religion.
The parish of St. Catherine appears to have been the only viable one in the area at that time - Roman Catholics eventually got the use of a chapel in Dirty Lane (now Bridgefoot St.) towards the end of the 17th century.
The Roman Catholic parish of St. James was set up in 1724, while the Church of Ireland parish of the same name came into existence in 1710.
Both Church of Ireland parishes corresponded with the civil parishes of the same names.
The Cemetery
The cemetery at the church is overgrown and is not accessible to the public. In the 18th century it had been marked out by the inhabitants of the area as a desirable cemetery for the interment of their friends. During the fair of St. James, which was held in James Street, opposite the church-yard, they decked the graves with fancy garlands and ornaments made of white paper.In the centre of the cemetery is a monument of Theobald Butler (of the Butlers of Ballyline), a barrister who assisted in framing the articles of the Treaty of Limerick
Treaty of Limerick
The Treaty of Limerick ended the Williamite war in Ireland between the Jacobites and the supporters of William of Orange. It concluded the Siege of Limerick. The treaty really consisted of two treaties which were signed on 3 October 1691. Reputedly they were signed on the Treaty Stone, an...
in 1691, and who advocated the Catholic cause before parliament. His monument has a Latin epitaph stating that it was erected by his eldest son “to the best of fathers.” It was restored by Colonel Augustus BUTLER D.L. of Co. Clare, grandson in the fourth generation, 1876.
Also buried here is Sergeant-Major John Lucas
John Lucas (VC)
John Lucas VC was born in Glasgomy, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow and was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:Lucas was approximately 35 years old, and a...
, VC
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, who died 4 March 1892.
Across the road from the church, in the middle of the road, is the "Fountain", an obelisk with 4 sundials with a drinking fountain at its base, built in 1790 by the Duke of Rutland, the Lord Lieutenant. It was an old custom that funeral processions passing the Fountain would circle it three times before carrying on to the cemetery.
Notable parishioners
James WhitelawJames Whitelaw
The Rev. James Whitelaw was an Irish historian, writer, statistician and philanthropist.-Life:He was born in County Leitrim and educated at Trinity College, Dublin. He graduated in 1771. He was ordained in the Church of Ireland and became rector of St. James and then St. Catherine's in Thomas St....
(1749–1813) was a clergyman at this church, before going on to St. Catherine's Church
St. Catherine's Church, Dublin
St. Catherine's Church, on Thomas Street, in Dublin, Ireland, was originally built in 1185. It is located on what was once termed the "Slí Mór" - a key route that ran westwards across Ireland from Dublin. The church was rebuilt in its present form in the 18th century by John Smyth .The church...
.