€1.5
million Euro Restoration appeal |
| Dublin Unitarian Church Restoration
Project: October 2007
Our major restoration project, begun in 2000, has
almost been completed, with the final touches now being put to the
restored stonework on the front of the building, bringing us to
the end of Phase 3 of the project.
However, we must continue to fundraise. We set out
almost two years ago to raise the necessary funds to tackle this
last major phase, which is costing €375,000. As the work nears
completion, we have managed to raise a considerable amount of that
sum. We now need to find the balance, which stands at €110,000.
Given that we have raised and spent just over €500,000
for Phases 1 & 2 in recent years, we are confident that with
our own efforts and the help of our friends at home and abroad,
we will reach our target.
Some additional work will remain to be done following
this phase: the restoration of the gargoyles on the front of the
building, internal rewiring and the restoration of the stained glass.
Although there will be more to do, the completion of the front stonework
is a remarkable achievement for a congregation which began this
project from the start only 7 years ago. We are proud that our remarkable
historical building is such an attractive architectural feature
of west side of St. Stephen’s Green, and that we have such
a vibrant congregation in the church.
We are deeply grateful to all our donors and
benefactors both inside and outside the congregation, and to the
state and other organisations which have given us grants. We appeal
now to all our friends and supporters to help us reach our final
target, and to make a donation, no matter how small. These may be
sent to Unitarian Church Restoration Project, Dublin Unitarian Church,
112 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. For further information,
please email Doireann
The Unitarian Church, Dublin is a handsome 19th
century building at the west corner of St. Stephen’s Green.
Built in the Gothic revival style, the church was opened in 1863 and
quickly came to distinguish itself as a haven for liberal religious
thinking, founded on a belief in reason and tolerance. Please visit
our history page to find out more about
Unitarians in Ireland. |
The church has been in continuous
use for worship since that time. In recent years, thanks to
the lively guidance and thought-provoking leadership of our
Minster, Rev. Bill Darlison, it has seen a notable growth in
the congregation attending Sunday morning services. The church
remains not only a centre for tolerant religious fellowship
but also, at a time of considerable social and economic change,
has become a touchstone for thought and discussion about our
society’s spiritual future.
While the interior of the building has been
maintained in excellent condition, you don’t need to look
too closely to see how the outside is suffering. From the chimney
stacks of 19th century Dublin to the exhausts of passing vehicles
today, pollution and the normal wear and tear of age and weather
have displaced slates on the roof and worn away parts of the delicate
stonework.
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We, the 21st century congregation of Dublin Unitarian Church who
have inherited a beautiful building and a challenging spiritual
home, are determined to arrest this decline. In August 2003 we
began an ambitious restoration project involving among other things
the re-slating of the roof, and the restoration of the external
stonework and the beautiful and priceless stained glass windows.
The overall estimated cost of the restoration is EUR 1.5 million
(USD 1.49 million). This is an enormous sum for a relatively small
group such as ours to raise, especially in these days of global
human poverty and war. We have applied and will continue to apply
for all available grants, but we must appeal to the generosity
of donors to come anywhere near our target.
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With the help of grants
from the National Heritage Council, Dublin City Council, the
Ireland Funds and others, as well as generous donations from
private individuals, we are nearing completion of Phases 1 and
2 of the restoration of the church roofs and tower. However,
this is only the beginning of a long and expensive but exciting
project. We have a considerable amount of money to raise to undertake
the next phase, and to do this we need the support not only of
our own members but of fellow Unitarians around the world and
all those who recognise the value of our building and our congregation.
Please consider sending us a donation to assist us in our important
work.
Click here for recent news on the progress
of the restoration project. |
For
US donors
Donors in the USA may make tax deductible gifts
of above $25 to support this project to the American Ireland Fund,
a 501 (c) 3 organisation based in Boston. They may also ask that
the National Board of the American Ireland Fund consider a grant
of the same amount to the Dublin Unitarian Church Restoration Project,
a project approved by the Ireland Advisory Committee of the Ireland
Funds and for which the Ireland Funds are seeking support. The
board of the American Ireland Fund reserve the right to accept
or reject the advice of donors. These donations may be sent to
The American Ireland Fund, 211 Congress Street, 10th Floor, Boston
MA 02110, USA. You can reach the American Ireland Fund by phone
at 1800 IRL FUND or by e-mail at info@irlfunds.org |
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How
you can help
All donations, no matter how small,
will be gratefully received by the Dublin congregation at the following
address: Unitarian Church Restoration Project, Dublin Unitarian
Church, 112 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland. For more information
about the church and the restoration you can reach us by telephone
at (353 1) 4780638 or e-mail info@unitarianchurchdublin.org. You
can also contact the restoration committee coordinator Doireann
Ni Bhriain directly at dnib@eircom.net
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| Contributions may also be
lodged directly to the project's bank account at Unitarian Church Restoration
Project, Allied Irish Bank, 40-42 Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Account Number 88 88 80 99, Sort Code 93 12 25. |
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