St. John's Lane was designed in the 14th century French-Gothic style by Edward Welby Pugin of Ramsgate and George Ashlin of Dublin who were passionate devotees of the Gothic. John Rushkin, an admirer of Pugin's, loved the church and described it as a "poem in stone". It took thirty three years to complete, 1862 - 1895, although the church was opened for worship in 1874. The church has been described as the finest example of Gothic Revival in the city.
In 1872 eight bells were cast by Murphy's foundry of Dublin and the bells were dedicated on Saint Patrick's day, March 17th 1873. In 1898, to celebrate the silver jubliee of the bells, two new bells were added. From the 231 foot (circa 70 M) the complete peal of ten bells were rung on Christmas Eve 1898. Further celebrations were recorded in 1973 for the occassion of the centenary of the first eight bells and in 1998 for the centenary of the ten bells.
The bells are rung every Sunday for mass by bell-ringers from the different towers of Dublin, the tones filling our city with a much loved resonance. Every year change-ringing competitions are held, each tower takes turn in hosting the event where the winners of this regional competition qualify for the annual, All-Ireland, Murphy Cup final.