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=Early Days=
The founders were [[William Fry]], [[Henry Bewley]], and [[Joseph Denham Smith]] (the evangelist forementioned). It was decided to erect a building that would serve as an "evangelistic centre" for Ireland brethren. In 1862, a suitable site was selected in Lower Merrion Street, regarded by many as one of the best positions near the center of Dublin.
The vision was for a building that would accommodate 2,500 persons, and voluntary subscriptions raised a sum of £5,000 towards the total cost of nearly £17,000 for the new building, which was completed and officially opened on August 26th, 1863. <br /><br />The first trustees for the building were William Fry, Henry Bewley, with Hon. [[Somerset Maxwell]].
In the early days, Merrion Hall attracted many in the afternoons from the Church of Ireland, of both clergy and laity.
The architect was [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Gresham_Jones Alfred Gresham Jones] (1824-1915) whose other designs can be found [http://archiseek.com/tag/alfred-g-jones/ here].
One of Jones' other notable designs included the [http://www.victorianweb.org/art/architecture/iron/38.html Dublin International Exhibit Building] in 1863, which was cofounded by [[Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness]] (1798-1868) initially towards an arts and manufacturing world's fair in 1865 attended by one million people.
The Exhibit building was influenced by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Palace,_London Crystal Palace] in London, England. This latter building was converted in 1908 into the central building of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_College_Dublin University College Dublin], and in 1981 reopened as the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Concert_Hall National Concert Hall].
===Other Workers===
* Ventilation system: Edmunson & Company; System designed by cofounder Henry Bewley.
* General contractor: Cockburn & Sons
* Iron work: Mr. Strong, of Hammond-lane.
==1878 Mortgage==
==1904 Renovation==
Extensive repairs and improvements were undertaken which included new drainage and the installation of a modern heating plant for the main hall. Soon afterwards, electric lighting replaced the gas illumination.
==Ministry==
Evangelists and other spiritual workers have included Denham Smith, [[Fred Elliott]], [[Harold Wildish]], [[Hudson Pope]], [[Victor Cirel]], [[Robert Pettifer]], [[Raymond C. Stevenson]], [[R.A. Lewis]], [[William Houghton Fry]], and many others.
outreach
==Sunday School==
In 1951, the children's Sunday School required over 80 teachers each.
==Closing==
The brethren assembly occupied the building until 1988 when it was sold by the trustees to the Eastview Property Co., a developer with intent to convert it into office space, when a point came where size of membership no longer justified the cost of upkeep. The proceeds from the sales were distributed in thirds, with one third going to the remaining assembly at what is now [[Irishtown Gospel Hall, Dublin]] in a school they had purchased, another third was given to the Dublin [[Young Men's Christian Association]], and the remaining third was given to [[Dublin Christian Mission]]. The Irishtown Gospel Hall later closed in 2006.
May 2, 1991, a fire destroyed much of the original building with the exception of the Italian facade. The building was subsequently rebuilt as the Davenport Hotel, which was remodeled in 2005, and is currently branded as the 5-star [https://www.merrionhotel.com/ Merrion Hotel].
==Merrion Hall in Popular Culture==
==Also See==
* [https://www.brethrenarchive.org/people/joseph-denham-smith/pamphlets/notes-of-addresses-delivered-in-merrion-hall-dublin/ 1865 Merrion Hall J. Denham Smith lecture notes] published by [[S.W. Partridge, London]], and distributed by "J. Robertson and Co." in Dublin. Printed by "Porteous and Gibbs" in Dublin.
==Sources==
