St. Andrew's, Blackrock
Encyclopedia
St. Andrew's, Blackrock is a Presbyterian church on Mount Merrion Avenue, Blackrock, County Dublin
. The Blackrock parish was established in 1895 and the church was opened in 1899. Its sister church is St. Andrew's of Bray.
The congregation decided to buy Albion House on Mount Merrion Avenue around November 1895 for £750. They raised £304 towards building and William Hewat, a local Blackrock member of the congregation, suggested the church be named St. Andrew's and later donated £800 enabling the purchase of Albion House in March 1896.
The architects Messrs, Murray and Forrester were commissioned and the builder Patrick Caufield of Booterstown was chosen. The foundation stone of the church was laid on 27 October 1898 and the church was opened with its first service on 5 February 1899. The building is designed in an octagonal shape fronted by a large tower containing the main entrance.
The church organ was installed in 1912 with half of the money donated by Andrew Carnegie
(a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, entrepreneur and a major philanthropist). His conditions for donating the money were simple. Once the congregation had raised half of the £900 required, he would donate the rest.
Under the ministry of Rev. Desmond Black a new hall was built and opened on 5 December 1959 to a cost of £15,000. The hall was opened by Mrs. Scott McLeod, the wife of the United States Ambassador to Ireland
at the time, and dedicated to Rt. Rev. Thomas Alexander Byers Smyth
, the Moderator of the General Assembly
.
Rev. James Noel Thompson (minister 1936—1956).
Rev. Albert Desmond Pattison Black (minister 1957—1986).
Rev. George Dennis Campbell (minister 1986—present).
County Dublin
County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
. The Blackrock parish was established in 1895 and the church was opened in 1899. Its sister church is St. Andrew's of Bray.
History
A Presbyterian congregation started meeting in the Blackrock Town Hall from 29 July 1894. It was 1895 when the parish of Blackrock Presbyterian Church was formed and plans were set forth to build a church.The congregation decided to buy Albion House on Mount Merrion Avenue around November 1895 for £750. They raised £304 towards building and William Hewat, a local Blackrock member of the congregation, suggested the church be named St. Andrew's and later donated £800 enabling the purchase of Albion House in March 1896.
The architects Messrs, Murray and Forrester were commissioned and the builder Patrick Caufield of Booterstown was chosen. The foundation stone of the church was laid on 27 October 1898 and the church was opened with its first service on 5 February 1899. The building is designed in an octagonal shape fronted by a large tower containing the main entrance.
The church organ was installed in 1912 with half of the money donated by Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, and entrepreneur who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century...
(a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, entrepreneur and a major philanthropist). His conditions for donating the money were simple. Once the congregation had raised half of the £900 required, he would donate the rest.
Under the ministry of Rev. Desmond Black a new hall was built and opened on 5 December 1959 to a cost of £15,000. The hall was opened by Mrs. Scott McLeod, the wife of the United States Ambassador to Ireland
United States Ambassador to Ireland
There have been a total of 30 Ambassadors of the United States to Ireland meaning the Republic of Ireland. All except one, Frederick A. Sterling, have been non-career appointees, while there were three under President George W. Bush.-List of Ambassadors:...
at the time, and dedicated to Rt. Rev. Thomas Alexander Byers Smyth
Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is the most senior office-bearer within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, which is Northern Ireland's largest Protestant denomination....
, the Moderator of the General Assembly
Moderator of the General Assembly
The Moderator of the General Assembly is the chairperson of a General Assembly, the highest court of a presbyterian or reformed church. Kirk Sessions and Presbyteries may also style the chairperson as moderator....
.
Ministers
Rev. James Snowdon (minister 1895—1936).Rev. James Noel Thompson (minister 1936—1956).
Rev. Albert Desmond Pattison Black (minister 1957—1986).
Rev. George Dennis Campbell (minister 1986—present).