| St. Mark's Church | |
St. Mark's Church
|
|
| Location | Pearse St., Dublin |
|---|---|
| Country | Ireland |
| Denomination | Pentecostal |
| Previous denomination | Church of Ireland |
| Website | www.stmarks.ie |
| History | |
| Founded | April 25, 1757 |
| Founder(s) | Charles Cobb |
| Dedication | St. Mark the Evangelist |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Protected |
| Completed | 1757 |
St. Mark's Church is a former Church of Ireland parish church in Dublin, Ireland, now a Pentecostal church. It is located in Mark St., off Pearse Street, to the east of Trinity College.[1]
Contents |
The church is a large building surrounded by a grassy churchyard, and was erected in the 1750s off what was then Great Brunswick St. (now Pearse St.). It was consecrated by the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Charles Cobb, on St Mark’s day (25th of April) 1757.
In 1971 St Mark’s closed and its contents were largely distributed throughout the Church of Ireland and the parish records were transferred to the Representative Church Body. After its closure the building was purchased by Trinity College, Dublin who used it occasionally for exams and lectures.
It was purchased by the Family Worship Centre, a Pentecostal assembly, in 1987, renovated, and re-opened as a place of worship.[2]
The parish was cut off from that of St. Andrew by Act of Parliament in 1707.[3] It corresponded to the civil parish of the same name.
The church was surrounded on three sides by a churchyard which contained a large number of graves. In the 18th and early 19th centuries it was a favourite target of body snatchers, owing to its proximity to Trinity College, which taught medicine. A wall was built around the churchyard to try to prevent access. In 1892-3 the wall was removed and a railing substituted.[3]
Perhaps the most celebrated person associated with St Marks is Oscar Wilde, who was baptised in the church.[4]