Before 1745, churches were makeshift affairs, usually converted stables, lofts and warehouses. The oldest, the Franciscan chapel of St. Francis in Francis Street, had been rebuilt but could not be opened until the reign of James II in 1688. This 'plain oblong building' was the cathedral church of nine successive archbishops. The Augustinian father Byrne made a chapel from an old stable in John's Lane off Thomas Street. A rough chapel in the yard of Mr. Jennet the brewer, now part of Guinness's served the old parish of St. James.
As long as they were unobtrusive, such places of worship were tolerated and ignored. But an accident in 1745, while Mass was being celebrated in a house in Cook Street, revealed their inadequacy. When the floor gave way under the weight of the packed congregation, several people, including the priest, were killed. Public opinion was shocked, and Chesterfield gave permission for proper chapels to be opened. A number of modest churches were built in the Liberties and in the back streets round the Liffey. By 1770 the city had fifteen chapels. In addition to the Franciscan church in Francis Street, there were four other chapels attached to religious orders such as the Augustinians, Capuchin Franciscans, Carmelites and Franciscan chapel in Cook Street. Three other chapels were attached to convents plus six parochial chapels including St. James's Watling Street, St. Catherine's Dirty Lane, St. Andrew's Townsend Street, St. Paul's off Arran Quay, St. Mary's Liffey Street and St. Michan's Bull Lane.
