St David's Church, Naas


St David's Church, Naas is a Church of Ireland church in Naas, Ireland.

Location

St David's Church is located in the centre of Naas, on the east side of North Main Street, southeast of the Moat of Naas. It is not to be confused with Naas's Roman Catholic church, which is called the Church of Our Lady and Saint David.

History

St David's Church was built on the site of an earlier Celtic Christian church dedicated to Saint Corban or St Patrick. Following the Norman conquest of Ireland, William Fitzmaurice and the Cambro-Norman barons who settled in the Naas area rebuilt the church and dedicated it Saint David, patron saint of Wales. Up until about 1800 it was the custom in Naas to wear a leek on March 1 in honour of the saint.
In 1212 St David's was listed as one of the possessions of the Knights Hospitaller. By 1606, when St David’s featured in the inquisition of James I, contained three chantries – Holy Trinity, St Mary, and St Catherine. The priests were appointed by the burgesses and provost of the town. William Pilsworth was named vicar in 1604. In 1620 the current building was constructed, incorporating much of the old Norman church. By 1767 the steeple was in a ruinous state and was pulled down. Joseph Bourke, 3rd Earl of Mayo decided to replace it but never completed the new tower; a plaque on the inside wall of the tower states “I found a ruin and left a steeple, Mayo 1783″.
The bell dates from 1674 and originally hung in the old steeple. The baptismal font is believed to be very old, predating the Norman church.
The church was excavated by T. Fanning in 1987–91, with many medieval tiles found.