The Unitarian Church located in Prince's Street in the heart of the city centre is listed as the oldest place of continuous worship in Cork, having been opened as a church in August 1717. Building began in and around 1711 in an area outside the then city walls called Dunscombe's Marsh. It was built to house a Non Subscribing Presbyterian congregation that had outgrown a smaller church in what was then Watergate Lane, now South Main St. Non Subscribers were a dissenting church with whom today the Unitarian church in Ireland has a formal association .
One of the former ministers of our church, The Rev Thomas Dix Hincks ( 1767-1857 ) was the founder of The Royal Cork Institute. Other famous members of the church include Richard Dowden ( 1794-1861 ) a Mayor of Cork and the painter Daniel Maclise ( 1806- 1870 ).
The Temperance priest, Fr Matthew, OFM Cap, signed his famous Temperance Agreement in the Unitarian Church in 1839 and six years latter the American social reformer, abolitionist, author and statesman Frederic Douglass visited the church.
In the 20th century numbers began to dwindle and in 1955, with just one member remaining plans were made to sell the church. After a long period in the doldrums something of a revival started thanks to two lay members of the congregation, Mr Fritz Spengeman and Dr Martin Pulbrook.
From 2007-2017, The Rev Bridget Spain was the Minister in Charge.
Today the church has its own minister, The Rev Mike O'Sullivan, who was ordained in Feb. 2017.
Extensive cosmetic work was undertaken on this majestic piece of Cork history.
Today there is a growing, vibrant and inclusive community.
There are two other Unitarian congregations in the Republic :
Unitarian Church in Dublin, which is located on St Stephens Green. services every Sunday at 11am
Unitarian Fellowship, Limerick, which meets every 2nd Sunday at the Contemplative Centre at the University of Limerick
.
One of the former ministers of our church, The Rev Thomas Dix Hincks ( 1767-1857 ) was the founder of The Royal Cork Institute. Other famous members of the church include Richard Dowden ( 1794-1861 ) a Mayor of Cork and the painter Daniel Maclise ( 1806- 1870 ).
The Temperance priest, Fr Matthew, OFM Cap, signed his famous Temperance Agreement in the Unitarian Church in 1839 and six years latter the American social reformer, abolitionist, author and statesman Frederic Douglass visited the church.
In the 20th century numbers began to dwindle and in 1955, with just one member remaining plans were made to sell the church. After a long period in the doldrums something of a revival started thanks to two lay members of the congregation, Mr Fritz Spengeman and Dr Martin Pulbrook.
From 2007-2017, The Rev Bridget Spain was the Minister in Charge.
Today the church has its own minister, The Rev Mike O'Sullivan, who was ordained in Feb. 2017.
Extensive cosmetic work was undertaken on this majestic piece of Cork history.
Today there is a growing, vibrant and inclusive community.
There are two other Unitarian congregations in the Republic :
Unitarian Church in Dublin, which is located on St Stephens Green. services every Sunday at 11am
Unitarian Fellowship, Limerick, which meets every 2nd Sunday at the Contemplative Centre at the University of Limerick
.