Trinity Church, Dublin


Trinity Church, Dublin also called the Protestant Episcopal Church, was a Church of Ireland church begun in 1838 but opened in 1839 in Gardiner Street Dublin. It was designed by Frederick Darley who designed many buildings in Trinity College Dublin, the church would have accommodated 1,800 people. The first rector was the future Bishop of Cork, Rev. John Gregg from 1839 until his elevation in 1862 to Bishop. Mr. Vance wealthy Dublin businessman funded it, so long as Rev. Gregg could raise the other half of the money required to build it, which he did. It was Propriety Church independently funded by wealthy laypeople, the term Episcopal was used to distinguish it from other movements in the reformed faith at the time, the church was evangelical, and verging on Calvinist. Trinity Church Schools were developed at the church, along Beresford lane.

People Associated with Trinty Church, Dublin

Rev. Thomas Preston Ball served as Chaplain of Trinity Church, Dublin, from 1879 to 1884. The Rev. John Olphert Gage Dougherty served as Rector of Trinity Church, Dublin, from 1902 to 1904. George Howard, 7th Earl of Carlisle, attended services in the Church as did the future provost of Trinity College John Pentland Mahaffy. Rev. Henry Irwin served as assistant chaplain to Bishop Gregg. Rev. A. Thomas was assistant chaplain.

Closure

The Trinity Church built in 1839, closed in about 1909.It served as an Employment Exchange for almost a century, and the building became known as The Exchange.

Reopening

In the 2000s it reverted to being a church used by a non-denominational Christian group, renamed itself The Trinity Church Network.

Protestant Episcopal Chapels

Other protestant episcopal churches at the time in Dublin were:-