Saint Vincent's Church

St Vincent's Church

Photograph of the exterior of St Vincent's Church, Sunday's Well Road, Cork

Cork Camera Club collection, Cork City Libraries

St Vincent's Church
Cork Camera Club collection, Cork City Libraries

St Vincent's Church

Photograph of the exterior of St Vincent's Church, Sunday's Well Road, Cork

Cork Camera Club collection, Cork City Libraries

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The magnificent church of Saint Vincent 's was designed by Sir John Benson. Its style is early Gothic and it is built mainly of red sandstone. It has a spectacular appearance when viewed from the Mardyke, as it is built on a rocky outcrop of Sunday's Well. The site on which it is built was donated by Miss Mary MacSwiney, who was a resident of the area. Fundraising for the project was organised by the Very Reverend Michael O'Sullivan, Vicar General of Cork. The foundation stone of the church was laid on 24th October 1851 by the Bishop of Cork, William Delaney. After much of the stonework was completed and the church partially roofed, disaster struck on 4 November 1853 when a severe storm destroyed the roof and blew down much of the stonework. The event evoked widespread sympathy and donations for rebuilding the church were made from many Irish dioceses and private individuals. On 20th July 1856 the solemn dedication of the completed church took place. Saint Vincent 's Church was consecrated on 14th October 1906. The interior of the church had been greatly embellished in the fifty years since its dedication. Saint Vincent's became the parish church of Sunday 's Well parish on 2nd February 1972. The adjoining Missionary House was sold to University College Cork in 2000.