The first Marmullane Church, or Cill Mhuire as it is sometimes called, was situated about a mile from Passage on the Rochestown road. Thought to have been built in the 13th or 14th century by the famous family of Roches after whom Rochestown is named, it was handed over to the Vicars Choral of St. Finbarr’s Cathedral of Cork soon after its construction.

Marmullane Church was small, measuring about 12 metres by 5 metres. It was believed to have been built of rubble, sandstone and clay. It was a ruin by 1615. However, the graveyard of the ancient church is still in use.

A single stone in the graveyard was erected by Patrick Connell in memory of his brother, Timothy, who was aboard the vessel, Mary Russell, when her lunatic captain turned on his crew in May 1828. The headstone reads:

Timothy Connell mariner murdered 1828 on the "Mary Russell" out of Cork, by ship's master

You gentle reader that do pass this way, Attend a while adhere to what I say; By murder vile I was bereft of life, And parted from two lovely babes and wife, By Captain Stewart I met an early doom, On board the "Mary Russell" the 22nd of June, Forced from the world to meet my God On high, with whom I hope to reign Eternally – Amen.

St. Mary’s, Marmullane, was built in 1684 at the bottom of Church Hill. It was enlarged significantly in 1808 at the expense of the dean and chapter, aided by local contributions. At the time, the curacy was a permanent one and the living was comfortable. In the early 1800s, the curate was granted tithes of £69 from the Dean and Chapter. Some eight acres of land yielded revenue to the church. The parsonage for the curate was built in 1813, financed by a gift of £450 and a loan of £50 from the Board of First Fruits. The Board of First Fruits was an organisation set up by the Church of Ireland to grant-assist a programme of church building throughout the country so that everyone could have a church within walking distance.

The graveyard of Marmullane church is an exquisitely peaceful spot. It is here that the only son of William Brown of the Royal Victoria Dockyard was buried after a boating accident in Cork Harbour took his life. In July 1857, Edward had set out from Cobh in a small yacht belonging to his uncle. He was heading for Passage to take part in a local race. Off Spike Island, the boat was overcome by waves and wind and sank. Edward, although a good swimmer, was entangled in rope and drowned. His body was taken to Marmullane churchyard. The Brown family vault is surmounted by a beautiful monument. Crafted in white marble by the noted sculptor, Richard Barter, it depicts a reclining angel with one wing folded, pointing a finger at the tomb beneath.

The oldest tomb in St. Mary’s, Marmullane, is that of the Parson family, presumably of Pembroke House. Erected in 1720, it is now under what was the chancel.

A cenotaph to the memory of Lieutenant Richard Roberts was erected in Marmullane churchyard in 1844. Lieutenant Richard Roberts from Ardmore in Passage had commanded the steamer Sirius for her world-famous voyage across the Atlantic. The monument depicts the sterns of four ships with which Roberts was associated – the Black Joke, the Sirius, the British Queen and the President. Sadly, he lost his life when the President foundered on a return voyage from New York in March 1841.