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St George's Church, Douglas
Archaeology
The site of an Anglican church, which was consecrated to serve the growing town of Douglas in 1781. Construction began in 1761 but a funding shortfall halted the work for years before it resumed in 1776; the total cost was around £1,500. The church's organ, built by Harris & Byfield in 1741, is reported to have been used for Handel's first Dublin performance of Messiah in 1742. Charles Barrow, grandfather of Charles Dickens, served as an early organist here. Notable burials include Sir William Hillary, founder of the RNLI's forerunner organisation, and Nelly Brennan; a mass grave at the church holds victims of the 1832-33 cholera outbreak. The church remains active.
Connections
Book Chapters
- Parish: Douglas
- Sheading: Middle
- Grid Ref: SC3789075470
Sources
- Isle of Man Heritage Environment Record