The list of clergy for Powerscourt Church spans nine centuries and three church buildings, their names dating from 1276. The earliest church, dedicated to St. Beccan, was built at Stagonil in the 12th century; the second, next door to Powerscourt House itself, in the early 1600’s (Henry Gratten was church warden in 1793), and the present St. Patricks Church was consecrated in the village of Enniskerry in 1863. The new church was a gift to the parish of Elizabeth, Viscountess Powerscourt, when her son Mervyn, 7th Viscount, came of age. The whole building, with decoration, furnishings and fittings cost £3,441.9s.2d.
A well known London architect, John Norton, drew up plans for a very grand church. Fortunately for later generations, these proved to be too expensive and the design was modified at an early stage. The builders, also from England, were Messrs Hook, a firm of contractors experienced in erecting churches all over England. There was friction between the English architect and the Irish church.
Extracts from Rev. A.E. Stokes Lectures 1963