Protestant Exiles from France/Book First - Chapter 7 - Section III
III. Hierosme.
As I recorded in a previous chapter, the truly great and good man, Pasteur Jean D’Espagne, the minister of the Westminster French Church assembled in Somerset House, died in April 1659. He was succeeded by the Rev. James Jerome or Hierosme. The Restoration of Charles II. took place immediately after this pasteur’s settlement. The French Church in the City, founded in the reign of Edward VI., and recognised by succeeding Protestant monarchs, was an establishment not to be disturbed. But a French Church in Westminster was a community of modern origin, and sanctioned by the Cromwells only. The question therefore arose whether King Charles II. ought to recognise it. I have detailed the negotiations and discussions on this question in my Historical Introduction. The king offered the congregation a place of worship within the Savoy Palace in the Strand, on condition of their adopting the Anglican Liturgy translated into French. This offer, after hesitation, was accepted on the advice of Mr. Jerome.
He removed to Ireland, where, on 9th March 1667, was enrolled the Lord Chancellor’s certificate in behalf of James Jerome, D.D., to inhabit in Ireland, and in 1668 a grant to him of £30 per annum; on the 1st March 1668 he was made Precentor of Waterford Cathedral. Then there is the King’s letter, dated 14th July 1668, “The King taking notice of the piety and learning of James Hierome, clerk (to whom the Lord-Lieutenant, in consideration of his being a stranger, and one who not only early submitted to the government of the Church of England but brought the French congregation which then met at the Savoy to conform thereto, gave the vicarage of Chapel-Isold), has thought fit, as well in consideration thereof, as in regard of his undertaking to expend £300 in repairs of house and land, to grant him a lease of a ruinous house, and one acre and a-half of land in Chapel-Isold for 99 years, at 40s. per annum, together with free grazing for two horses and eight cows in Phoenix Park for same term.” Dr. James Hierome was presented in 1676 to the vicarages of Mullingar and Rathconnell, and in 1677 to the Rectories of Churchetowne and Piercetowne, all in Meath Diocese, and finally on 7th April 1680 to the Rectories of Clonegan and Newtownelenan in Lismore Diocese. (The above particulars from the Irish Patent Rolls were extracted for me by my valued correspondent, Mr. John J. Digges La Touche.)