The Old St John’s Church and Graveyard

Paddy Neary

The ancient parish church of St. Johns stood probably within the present churchyard. ”St Stephen was recognised as the patron saint of this church in the 17th Century. From 1800 on the church is always known as St. Johns.

The Earl Marshal in his charter gives to the Priory “The whole of the parish beyond the bridge of Kilkenny looking towards the East and adjoining said bridge.” This parish must have had its church and must have been an ancient Irish foundation. The church appears to have been included within the Earls farmyard the locality he nominates as “My Barns”. The only name which can be given to the site is the Church of the Barns. By granting the charter to the Priory the Earl disestablished the ancient church, its landed property and inheritance. It had lost its parochial status, became known as the”Chapel of the Magdelens” In 1628 a Corporation rental refers to the locality as “Sinnotts churchyard, garden and croft.” With some relaxation of the Penal Laws, a church was built here and referred to as “St Magdelen Chapel.”

In 1731 according to Dr. Tennison’s visitation book there was an “old Mass house” in St John’s Parish. This was probably the chapel in Maudlin Street. The chapel and presbytery were repaired at his own expense by the Rev. Philip Purcell, P.P.of the Parish from 1753-1760. This chapel was rebuilt in 1796, as was seen by an inscription on a stone slab set in the chapel yard wall-“This chappel was rebuilt in the year 1796.”
This chapel continued in use until 1847 when it was taken down, the sitewas added to the graveyard. The monuments of the Meanys of Higginstown, and Banims mark the altar situated at the East end. According to Canon Carrigan the graveyard extended from the front door of the chapel to the North wall of the chapel yard and graves are under all the gravel walk looking from the main entrance looking towards the railway.

The Leinster Leader (Kilkenny Journal) in it’s edition of 18th April 1840 reported it was the intention of our revered Bishop Kinsella to lay the corner stone of the new chapel about to be erected in Maudlin Street, and to consecrate it on Monday last. Almost all the clergy of this city as well as several country clergy men and a large number of people among whom we recognised some of the most respectable and influential of our fellow citizens were present to witness the highly interesting ceremony.

The day was beautifully fine which contributed much to the solemnity of the scene. Shortly after two o’clock the Bishop arrived, and immediately the ceremony commenced. The Bishop walked round by the foundation sprinkling it with holy water whilst the assembled clergy were chanting the psalms used on such occasions. The cross was raised where the altar is to be erected and the place sprinkled with holy water. The remainder of the ceremony was then gone through after which the Bishop gave his solemn Benediction to those present, and addressed them saying “it was prescribed in the Roman ritual according to which this ceremony on this day was performed., that the faithful should contribute something to the building of the House of God and accordingly he would give a sum of 20 Guineas towards it’s erection trusting that his example might be generally and generously imitated. He would leave £1 with the Rev. Walsh to be distributed among the workmen that they might refresh themselves with coffee on Easter Monday. His Lordship further said that he felt it unnecessary to make any appeal to the feelings of the parishioners they had already acted very liberally, in a very short time a meeting would be convened and they would have an opportunity of mentioning the donations they might think proper to give after some further observations his Lordship concluded and shortly after retired from the place.

The Rev. Walsh subscribed £10, his curates Rev Keoghan gave £2 and Rev. Lynch gave £1.Mr. Kinshella subscribed £3, and Mr. Davis £5. The Chapel when erected will be 45 feet in the breadth, 150 feet in length. It will be 45 feet high. The Architecture will be of Gothic design and the shape oblong. The cut stone alone which is admirably chiselled and the greater part of which is prepared will cost £6/700.If executed accordingly titration o the design we have no hesitation in saying it will rank among the first Catholic houses of worship in the diocese. It will have much advantage of the Butts chapel in site which unlike the other is exceedingly desirable. We feel it quite needless to urge upon the Parishioners of Maudlin Street the propriety of handsomely subscribing to the erection of the edifice, their own generous and religious feelings are the very best monitors by which their subscriptions will be guided. The church eventually opened in 1847, but had a relatively short period of use as a place of worship. In 1897 St. Johns Parish was offered a new church as a gift and in 1908 the last of the Maudlin Street churches ceased to be open for worship. Though the roof became leaky, in the years between 1908 and 1920 the old church was used as a hall. Concerts were staged in it and some of the leading artistes of the day including John McCormack appeared there. In the 1950s it was taken down and it’s dressed stone was used in the construction of the Collier wing of St Kieran’s College. Fr. T.J.Clohosey visited the graveyard between 1953 and 1955 and recorded 611 monuments. Upwards of 500 he could read in full and usually without difficulty. The oldest dated monument is that of 1699.This is the only 17th century monument, there are 93 monuments belonging to the 18thcentury. The civil and religious life of Kilkenny is well represented, at least twelve Mayors are buried here, and two Bishops of Ossory. Many Kilkenny families are buried, including P.M.Egan, Darcys of John St., Henry Potter of Drakeland House, Shearmans and Carrigans of High Street, Crottys of Parliament St, Smithwicks of Kilcreene, Coyles of High St., Bryans of Dunbell, Dunleaveys of John St.