Dublin Romanian Orthodox community launches fundraising to buy church

The Romanian Orthodox community in Dublin has launched a fundraising campaign to purchase Christ Church in Leeson Park, a building it has used as a place of worship since 2004.

According to Greek City Times, the church, which belongs to the Anglican community, was officially put up for sale in February this year, after two decades of continuous use by Romanian Orthodox faithful.

Religious services have been temporarily suspended as the community focuses its efforts on raising the funds needed to buy the property.

Fundraising campaign

A GoFundMe page has been launched under the title “Help Us to Purchase the Leeson Park Church in Dublin” as part of a broader campaign seeking to collect €200,000, a portion of the total amount required.

Community leaders stated that at least €700,000 must be secured within a short timeframe to participate in the acquisition process.

So far, over €50,000 has been raised from nearly 1,000 donations, showing strong support from the Romanian community in Ireland and the wider diaspora.

What will happen to the church?

Representatives of the Romanian Orthodox Church clarified that the church has not been abandoned but was closed following the decision to put it up for sale.

The sale process is being handled through sealed bids. Parish priest Călin Florea described the challenge as a historic opportunity:

“Quite unexpectedly, we were informed that the church in Leeson Park could become ours if we manage to raise at least another €700,000. I know the amount is large and the time very short, but I trust that the Lord will help us, and that together, we will succeed.”