© St Joseph's church
St Joseph's church was built in 1904. It was originally
used as a chapel of ease for St Michael's parish church. At the turn of
the century, it was decided to build a new church to accommodate the growth
of St Michael's parish. The architect of the church was Mr W E Corbett
and the builders were John Ryan & Sons. Mr Byrnes gave the site for
the church.
According to the original plan, the church would be built
in two stages. The second stage was to begin when the money had been raised
to finish the church. However, when the first stage was completed, the
church did not look aesthetically pleasing and it was decided to borrow
the remaining money to finish the church.
© Altar in St Joseph's church
The church has acquired the nickname 'the
church of the spite' because it is situated across the road from the Jesuits'
Church of the Sacred Heart. At the time of the building of St Joseph's,
the then bishop, Bishop O'Dwyer objected to the Jesuits using a two-tier
system for worshippers. The wealthy people sat at the front of the church
while the ordinary people sat at the back. Despite attempts from Bishop
O'Dwyer, the Jesuits refused to change this system and it was decided
that a new church was needed which would not have this practice of separation.
© Baptismal font in
St Joseph's church
The church is of Italian Neo-classical
design and is cruciform in shape. It was built using Limerick limestone.
Outside the church on the right, there is a statue of Christ the King,
which was erected in 1930. On the pediment of the church, there is a mosaic
of St Joseph holding the child Jesus. This mosaic is dated from the early
1960s. Over the main entrance, there is a stained glass window of the
Virgin Mary. The church has a number of Romanesque style windows.
On the left of the church, there is a picture
of the Mother and Child. There are five stained glass windows in the left
transept, which depict (clockwise) the Presentation of Our Lord in the
Temple, the visit of the Angel Gabriel to Mary, Lourdes to the memory
of Fr Denis Hallinan, the Three Wise Men and the Sacred Heart.
© Statues in St Joseph's church
To the left of the high altar, there is
a statue of St Therese of the Child Jesus, while nearer the altar, there
is a statue of Sacred Heart. To the right of the high altar, there is
a statue of Mary and the Infant Jesus and further right there is an altar
to St Joseph.
© Altar to St Joseph
Inside the main door, to the right, there
is a painting of Joseph and the Infant Jesus. There is a stained glass
window of the washing of the feet at the Last Supper. This window is in
memory of Cornelius and Johanna Devane. Another stained glass window is
of St Patrick. This window is the work of the Harry Clarke studio.
 
© Stained Glass windows in St Joseph's church
In the right transept, there are five stained glass windows.
They are (clockwise) Jesus comforting the dying, Joseph showing Jesus
the trade of carpentry, Jesus ascending into Heaven, Jesus and Roman soldiers
and the Crucifixion of Jesus. There is a stained glass window of Mary
ascending into Heaven over the main door of the church.
The stunning high altar is made from different kinds of
marble. The front of the altar is decorated with a carving of the Last
Supper. There is a stained glass window of an angel on either side of
the apse. There is also a carving of an angel at either side of the high
altar.
© Statue in the grounds
of St Joseph's church
There is a statue of St Peter and one of St Paul to the
left and right of the altar. The sanctuary lamp was donated to the church
in memory of James and Hanora O'Mara by their children. Egan's jewellers
of Cork carried out the work.
 
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