Revd. Willi Stewart and his wife Ruth started CORE as a church community in 1998 and it was originally situated in St. Werburgh’s church, located just outside the walls of Dublin Castle.
The church was established in response to a perceived need for an Anglican church plant in the heart of Dublin city that would focus on the areas of outreach, renewal and evangelism. Hence the name CORE which stands for City Outreach through Renewal and Evangelism. In addition to these hallmarks the words found in Isaiah 61 were rooted at the heart of the vision of CORE, a call to “preach good news to the poor, bind up the broken-hearted, proclaim freedom for the captives, release from darkness for the prisoners [and] to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
From 1998 to 2000 the congregation grew substantially and so an alternative venue was sought. The setting chosen was St. Catherine’s Church on Thomas Street and CORE has remained here since.
In 2004 Revd, Willi Stewart and his wife Ruth moved on from CORE and with the support of the Archbishop of Dublin, The Most Revd. John Neill. CORE’s leadership was maintained during the period of vacancy by the existing staff team.
In 2005 Revd. Jon Kissell was appointed as Rector and joined CORE with his wife Kathryn. The church has continued to flourish and develop, particularly in the area of its local outreach into the area immediately surrounding St. Catherine’s.