The Church of Saint Alphonsus

Welcome to the Church of Saint Alphonsus in Limerick. On this page we invite you on a short tour of our Church. We hope you enjoy your visit. During your time here please say a prayer for those who created this place of worship.

St. Alphonsus Church has richly decorated side Chapels, alters, mosaiced walls, ornamental floors, stained glass windows, a variety of statues, a majestic Way of the Cross and an Organ of great quality. It is indeed a worthy temple of the Lord. Conscious of its dignity we shall now take a closer look at its content.

The Church

The architect was an Englishman called Thomas Hardwick. He also designed St. John’s Cathedral, Limerick. The Style is early 13th century gothic. The builder was William Corbet. The material used was the dark limestone of the locality. Sculptures and Capitals are in Bath and Portland stone. The dimensions are: Length: 53 Metres; Width: 21 Metres; Height of Nave: 21 metres; Height of Tower & Spire 57 Metres.

When the Church was completed it had no side-chapels. These were later additions. The cost was £17000. The foundation stone was laid by Bishop Ryan on the 22nd May, 1858. His Successor, Bishop Butler, then co-adjuter, dedicated the new church on the 7th December, 1862.

Over the entrance door is a sculpted figure of the Christ between two angels. The front wall of the church is crossed by wide lines of red marble. They are meant to relieve the severe simplicity of the exterior.

Outside the Church

To the right of the church is the Bell Tower. Work on Building the bell tower began in 1876. The cross on top was put in place in 1878, and the solemn blessing and dedication of the tower took place on March 25th, 1879. The cost of the tower was £8000 and the bells cost £1195. The Mount Saint Alphonsus Bell Ringers Society was formed in 1879 and still exists, and plays the bells, today.

To the left of the church is the monastery where the community live. Up on the Gable wall of the wing of the monastery is a statue of St. Patrick sculpted by the father of Patrick Pearse. To the left of monastery is St. Clement’s College, our Secondary College, which caters to approximately 500 boys.

Inside the Church

Just inside the front door is a statue of St. Alphonsus, Patron of the church. Further in is a wide screen of clear glass which is inscribed with the crest and motto of the congregation. The Motto “Copiosa Apud Eum Redemptio” means, “With Him there is plentiful redemption”.

The main church is an oblong – shaped building. It has a long nave with three pillars on either side, joined by pointed arches. Above are clear windows. The sanctuary, bounded by massive pillars of huge limestone blocks, terminates in a semi-circular apse as wide and high as the nave.

The Sanctuary

The High alter was designed by George Goldie and built in 1865. Its lofty spire is profusely decorated with mini-angels while on either side of the tabernacle are three life sized angels holding discs of the passion.

A broad brass belt has an inscription asking prayers for the donor John Quinn. Behind the High Alter the dome of the apse has a mosaic of Christ the King, and St. Alphonsus surrounded by his Redemptorist family.

To the left of the sanctuary is the alter of Our Lady of Grace (1866). It contains scenes from the life of St. Alphonsus.

To the right of the sanctuary is the alter of St. Joseph with the child Jesus (1867). They are honoured by two kneeling figures, St. Alphonsus and the Redemptoristine, Sister Maria Crostarosa.

The Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross date from 1866 and were
donated by Malachy Slattery.

The paintings themselves came from Alcan of Paris but they were framed by Hayball of Sheffield. They cost the princely sum of £250.

The Pulpit
The pulpit was a gift of Sheehans of Limerick. It dates 1865 and was designed by George Goldie, costing £150.

The Crucifix

The large crucifix opposite the pulpit dates from 1865 and came from the Mayor of Munich.

Side Chapels
Top of the left hand aisle is the Chapel of the Sacred Heart (1903).

On The right hand aisle from the sanctuary down you have the Chapel of Our lady of Dolars (1875) which contains the statue of the Pieta. This is where we pray for our beloved deceased. In a large box, high up in this shrine are the bones / relics of the boy martyr, St. Urban. They were brought from Rome to this church in December (1867).

Further down you have the magnificent Chapel of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Note the beautiful mosaics, windows etc. The chapel was designed by Mr. Ashlin. The picture was brought from Rome in 1869 and has been enshrined here ever since. Every June, over 9 days, 100,000 people attend the Novena here in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

The Chapel of St. Gerard Majella dates from around 1903. Panels on the mosaiced walls depict scenes from the life of this well loved Italian Redemptorist. Note the roof of stained glass window.

Stained Glass Windows

Apart from the windows commemorating various saints such as Bridget, Margaret, Teresa of Avila, Mary Magdalene, Alphonsus, Patrick, Philip Neri, Michael and Gejetan, there are also windows reflecting scenes from the life of Jesus, Alphonsus, Our Lady and John the Evangelist (the beloved disciple).

Someone once said that the saints are “people who let the light shine through”!

Looking back down the church direct your eyes overhead the organ gallery and see there the magnificent windows reflecting the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Concluding Reflection
In the Church of Saint Alphonsus, as in many others, there are many beautiful objects of devotion such as Stations of the Cross, Statues, Stained Glass Windows, Candelabras, Shrines, Mosaics, and an Organ of great quality. They serve no other purpose than to remind us of how much God loves us and to point us in the direction of his son, Jesus. They lift our minds and hearts in prayerful thanksgiving and praise.

They speak to of the extraordinary generosity of many donors, rich and poor alike. May those donors and benefactors never be wanting in the honour and praise they deserve. Again I ask you to pray for those who created this place of worship and whose sweat and sacrifices made it possible.

If you are ever in Limerick why not come and visit our Church. May you find rest and welcome here and, when you leave, may you do so with peace and hope in your heart.

God’s blessing on you!