Saint John's Church (Rathcline)

This charming late nineteenth-century Church of Ireland church retains its early form character and fabric. It is typical of late nineteenth-century Church of Ireland churches in that it has a bellcote rather than a tower, a shallow chancel and an entrance porch attached to one side of the nave. It is well-built using snecked limestone and has good quality cut and dressed stone detailing throughout, particularly to the bellcote and to the openings. It was built to designs by Joseph Welland (1798 – 1860), architect to the Board of First Fruits (1711 - 1833) and subsequently to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners where he had responsibility for all Church of Ireland building projects from c. 1843 until his death. Casey and Rowan (1993) describe this church as a ‘classic example of this architect's Puginesque work on a small scale’. The present church is built on the site of a number of earlier churches and/or an abbey. An ‘abbey’ here was converted into a church (apparently c. 1678, built by George Lane the first Viscount Lanesborough) and Farrell in his history of County Longford (1881, 333; taken from James Norris Brewer (1826) 'The Beauties of Ireland') records the nave of the present church was ‘formed from the nave of an ancient structure’. This church was badly damaged in 1691 by factions returning from the Battle of the Boyne, with much of the nave and the tower being damaged. It was not repaired until 1740, at the direction of the bishop, and only partial repairs were carried out. However, there is no evidence in the present church to suggest that fabric from the earlier church was built into the present structure. There are a number of architectural fragments in the grounds from this earlier edifice, including an arch (LF017-003008-) built into the boundary wall, a graveslab (LF017-003006-) dated 1690, dedicated to Edmond Banan, to the south of the church and a carved plaque with the coat of arms of the first Viscount Lanesborough to the interior of the church. The present church was dedicated on the 23th April, 1862. The bell was cast by the firm Sheridan’s at their Eagle Foundry in Church Street, Dublin. It was presented to the church by Col. Henry White M. P. (of Rathcline) in 1859. The words “Erin go Brath” are embossed around the harp. The attention to detail found at this church is carried through to the well-detailed gate piers and gates. The simple rubble limestone boundary walls and the fine collection of grave markers complete the setting of this appealing composition. Associated rectory to the south (13401706).