PAROCHIAL HALL

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A single storey stone built former church converted to community hall and extended to provide ancillary accommodation, slated and gabled with bellcote retained.

South elevation to Main St Feeny retains the entrance gable of the former church. An extension to the N E corner contains new entrance and additional accommodation with smaller back return added to the N gable. The former church entrance gable has a pointed central door with moulded hood having returned stops. Chamfered sandstone trim, 2 sandstone steps to door. Above the door 3 cusped lancets, centre one higher, trimmed in sandstone. Sloping cills, centre one raised to accommodate the top of door treatment. Sandstone barges, steeply pitched, rise to a small bellcote, gabled, trimmed in sandstone, without bell. Walls are built of elongated rockfaced whinstone with sandstone ashlar quoins. A slightly projecting chamfered stringcourse encompasses the building at side window cill level.

The extension at the N E corner is L shaped with a gable return projecting towards the S. The new entrance is tucked into the angle so formed. Both the long walls of the hall are similar with sandstone trimmed central shouldered buttress. On either side there are 3 closely spaced pointed uncusped lancets. The 3 lancets obscured by the extension are reused on the gable of the L facing the road complete with sandstone trim. All windows are filled with clear diamond panes in c.i. A plaque below bellcote records MDCCLVI/GOD IS LOVE.

The walls of the extension are finished in smooth rendering, roofs slated in Bangor blues with decorative red ridge tiles.

The hall is set back a little from the Main Street on a restricted site. The boundary wall and gate piers are constructed of rockfaced concrete block.

Historical information

The former church is built on ground given in 1862 by J C F Hunter of Straidarran House. The church was built in 1866. Acquired by the Limavady District Council in 1980 and leased to the Feeny Community Association Ltd. The extension was built in 1987, Architects, Smyth & McMurty, Limavady and the builder, Millers. The rear extension housing stores was completed 1997.

References

Primary Sources
1. O.S. Map 1830 Rev. 1905 Londonderry sh. 30
2. Notes, 1st Survey, Built Heritage, 5-33 Hill Street, Belfast
3. Present Leaseholders

Secondary Sources
1. Leslie – Clergy of Derry and Raphoe p.121.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A small dull Victorian church in Gothic style of 1866, abandoned as a church and purchased by a local Authority in late 20th cent., renovated and extended in sympathetic materials. With exception of former police barracks is the only substantial building in the small village of Feeny and therefore of local and community interest.The alterations have however reduced the special architectural and historical value of this building relative to other examples of this type.