The glory of the church’s architecture consists of its careful integration with the streetscape.
The concentration on the western facade is quite deliberate, because it was intended to close off a perfectly planned perspective extending all by the way to the Government Buildings. By contrast, the rest of the church externally is quite plain. The tower and portico were consciously modelled on three elegant Athenian monuments, reflecting the shift from Roman to Greek influences in the later Georgian period: the portico (The Erechtheum), the campanile (“The Tower of the Winds”), and the cupola (Monument of Lysicrates).
The Erechtheum (so called after Erechtheus, a mythical king of Athens) is situated on the acropolis and is deemed to have been one of the most perfect examples of the Attic-Ionic style. It was built by Pericles, but was still not complete in 409 B.C.
Tower of the Winds was an octagonal marble tower designed in 159 B.C. by the Athenian astronomer Andronicus. It was an ingenious device which indicated wind-direction, acted as a sundial, and contained a water-clock for use when the sun was not shinning.
The monument of Lysicrates, on which the cupola is modelled, has inspired the nickname “Pepper Canister” by which St. Stephen’s Church is familiarly known to generations of Dubliners. This distinctive feature has a curious history. The monument was erected in 334 B.C. in honour of the victory won in a dramatic contest by the Athenian choragus Lysicrates (a choragus wealthy patron of the arts who directed the chorus in the Athenian theatre). In the early nineteenth century it stood in the garden of a Franciscan friary in Athens, used by the friars as a summer house. Perhaps its most famous occupant was Byron, who used it as a study. It seems he scratched his name on a marble panel, which was still legible in 1850 (F-M. Tsigakou, The rediscovery of Greece [1981] )
The Windows
A feature of Georgian churches was their brightness, which was enhanced by the use of plain glass windows. Too often this effect was destroyed in the Victorian period by an over-zealous use of stained glass, frequently of indifferent quality.
St. Stephen’s is doubly fortunate in that it retains a sufficient amount of plain glass to make it bright and cheerful, while the stained glass is generally of good quality. (The church is equally fortunate in not being crowded by ugly memorials). While many of the windows are worthy of inspection, you should note the central window in the apse, which depicts the martyrdom, of St. Stephen.
The Organ
Of particular note is the organ casing (facing westwards on the north aisle). It was built in 1754 by John Snetzler, born in Passau c.1710. It is said that Handel was included in his circle of friends.
The casework was designed for the Rotunda chapel, but was never erected there. It is thought to have been the property of Lord Mornington, father of the duke of Wellington, who lived in the parish. Examples of Snetzler’s magnificent workmanship can be seen in Lynn Regis, Norfolk (1754) and St. Martin’s, Leicester (1774).
The Pulpit and Prayer Desk
The magnificent pulpit with canopy is made of Italian rosewood. Its panels bear the symbols of the four evangelists: a man (St. Matthew), a lion (St. Mark), an ox (St. Luke), and an eagle (St. John). The prayer desk in Italian walnut comes from Siena, and on it are inscribed the words Siena 1891 S.Cambi fecit (S.Cambi made it).
The Altar Frontals
These are reckoned to be among the most beautiful in the Church of Ireland. We do not know who made them, or even who donated them.
Restoration
In 2007 the Select Vestry committed itself to a comprehensive restoration of the church and, under the direction of Dr. John McCrodden, the Treasurer, set about the necessary fundraising and organisation.
Dermot Nolan, chartered engineer and highly experienced conservation consultant was engaged to examine the building, prepare the specifications and supervise the work. Specialised building contractors Conservation and Restoration were appointed to carry out the works.
Phase One was carried out in 2007. It involved full conservation of the exterior on the east side of the nave including cleaning and re-pointing the masonry, repair of the parapets and rainwater disposal system and refurbishment of the windows.
In 2008 the same work (Phase Two) was carried out on the west side of the nave and the south (chancel) side.
Phase Three was completed in April 2010 and included the complete restoration of the Portland stone facade and the renovation of the distinctive copper dome cupola and the clock.
The works have involved a total expenditure of about 750,000 Euro and they have been generously grant aided by The Dublin City Council, The Heritage Council, The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and The Representative Church Body of the Church of Ireland. The works have also been supported by private donations and fundraising by the congregation.
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