Glendermott 1st Presbyterian Church

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A ‘T’ shaped ‘barn church’ which has been renovated and extended a number of times since construction in 1696 but which has retained a simple restrained aesthetic. The building is set back from Church Road where there is a wall rendered to match the church and a sexton’s house (HB01/08/020). A graveyard and 1970s church hall are also located in the grounds. The main south facade of the building facing Church Road has six round head windows with an applied plaster architrave representing staggered quoins. Windows around the other facades are similar A projecting string course at cill level encompasses the main parts of the ‘T’ but does not occur on the porches at each end. Regularly spaced corbel brackets represent the end of rafters at eaves level. All gables are finished with barge stones resting upon the slates. Smooth white render is applied below the string course. Harling painted white above and on porches. Plaster quoins to all corners. In the north west arm of the T a more crudely detailed lean-to acts as a garden store and gives access to the back of the organ. A similar lean-to has been incorporated into the northern side of the west porch.

A number of plaques adorn the building. On the centre of the south facade: ‘Glendermott Presbyterian Church, Congregation established 1654, Church built 1696, Extension and Renovations 1938’.

On the centre of the north porch: ‘1938 Extensions by S Stewart Building Contractor Derry, Architect W I Lynch Derry’. Above a plaque saying: ‘1696’. Under the plinth course on the west gable in writing which is difficult to read: ‘How amiable are thy tabernacles O Lord, M S John Avery 1696’. On the same gable but high up on the other side of the porch, a slate tablet painted over with the remains of the inscription ‘Rev’d William Hair 1747’.

There are no obvious remains of a further tablet described in the Ordnance Survey Memoirs: ‘ Above the entrance door in the middle of the southern front there is a sundial with this inscription “The gift of Thomas Hogg to the congregation of Glandermod, ano domino 1748, William Hair minister”.

Historical information

Congregation used ‘Ivy Church’ in Glendermott townland during Cromwell’s Commonwealth period (1654 Minister Mr John Will). With the Restoration,(1661) ministers had to follow the teaching of the Church of Ireland or quit. Glendermott’s minister refused to do either and stayed five years further at the 'Ivy Church’(1665) . There was a temporary church at an unknown location on Church Road before the new Presbyterian Church was erected in 1696 and enlarged in 1748 by Thomas Hogg architect. New roof and renovations in 1833 at a cost of £100. Further renovations done and an extension of the main aisle were carried out in 1938, architect W I Lynch of Derry. The lean-to adjuncts and organ were added by Reverend Knox during the 1960s.

There was a schism in the congregation in 1744. According to the O S Memoirs: ‘ Mr Hare the pastor could not, consistently with the rules of the Kirk of Scotland, comply with some new regulations which the elders had attempted to force on him.’ The elders divided and erected a second house of worship nearby at Church Brae (HB01/08/012). From 1910 there was no minister at either church; Reverend Quarkey minister of 2nd Congregation died and Reverend Thompson minister of 1st retired. A new minister: Reverend W A A Park united both congregations at the 1st Presbyterian Church.

References:
O S Memoirs Vol 34
Mr Sam Starrett (Local Historian)
Killen History of the Presbyterian Congregation of Ireland
Patterson, Reverend K G Minister

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
H-. Alterations detracting from building
H+. Alterations enhancing the building
I. Quality and survival of Interior

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance
Z. Rarity

Evaluation

Well maintained example of the Presbyterian ‘T’ shaped barn church. Consistent in its detailing both inside and out with the exception of the 1960s lean-to organ enclosures.