He was given many contracts by patron Archbishop McGee, during an intense building period when both denominations vied for control of the population.

For example, what began as a simple cross type motif over the main door, eventually became the fully expanded Semple 'Rose' window.

He stayed there with his son Giorgio from July to September 1909 and again alone from October 1909 to June 1910 while trying to set up the first cinema in Dublin.

It was the favourite Church of English poet Sir John Betjeman and the Dubliner Austin Clarke.

Clarke mentions the local legend of ‘Old Nick’ appearing in his 1962 autobiography titled Twice Round the Black Church.