Church of Ireland Church

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A small stone built neo Gothic style church with clasping sandstone slim corner buttresses terminating in spiky pinnacles crowned with decorative sprockets and pediment. Some of the crowning sprockets are lost. An unusually shallow transept at the west end of the nave is echoed at the entrance from which the gabled porch projects. At the other east end projects the small chancel in a simple style with three light cusped gothic windows with plain sandstone trim and without label moulding. The roof pitch of the nave and chancel are approximately 30 degrees with that of the transept and entrance gables is in excess of 50 degrees. The windows of the nave are tallish, two light pointed, with subtle cusping diamond glazing,chamfered sandstone trims and bold sloping cill. A vigorous moulded label terminates in a handsome acorn like stop. There are three windows in each long wall of the nave, one each in the transept gables and on the return west wall, each window identical. Over the entrance gable a fussy bellcote complete with bell and pointed pinnacle and flanking lower gabled projections. The clasping buttresses to the entrance porch change from square to octagonal and rise to form stops to the barge stones with moulded capping. The barge stones of the porch are surmounted by a similar small column which is repeated over the apex of the east end gable of the nave and the transepts. Walls are built of random rubble schist and the exposed gable of the entrance smooth rendered. A projecting and sloping plinth stone encompasses the building. The chancel and vestry may have been built a little after the rest of the building. The entrance door has a three centred arch with complimentary label and stops. Roofs have natural slates with plain ridge tiles and gutters are cast iron half round with round downpipes. The downpipes spills into good sandstone gully covers which are not used at the chancel. The boiler room below and to the side of the protruding vestry has had its chimney extended. This is unusually disconcerting. Originally the nave was heated by a stove in the centre of the nave passageway.

This charming little church is sited at the end of a cul-de-sac running downhill from the Ballyquin Road on a promontory of land overlooking the precipitous sides of Carrick glen where the River Roe cuts a gorge 100 feet below. A low stone wall protects the parishioner and visitor from a disastrous fall but never the less makes for great drama and a wonderful site for a church. The small grassy walled area is dotted with tall mature trees both evergreen and deciduous and the glen is profuse with vegetation. A low rendered wall with painted iron gates and stepped stile allows access. Adjacent is the former Glebe House making a location of marvellous solitude broken by the sound of rushing water and bird calls.

Historical information

The work of building the church began in 1846 after it was decided to create the parish as a perpetual curacy taking districts from Tamlaght Finlagan, Balteagh and Bovevagh. The church was consecrated on 25 May 1847. Thomas Scott of Willborough (see monument reference above) and James Ogilby of Pellipar contributed towards the costs. First rector appointed in 1873. The church was renovated in 1907 when the plaster ceiling was replaced with timber. The chancel and vestry might have been added at this time too as the external appearance of both differs from the remainder. As the parish straddles the River Roe a footbridge was put across the waters to connect both sides (HB02/08/009).

References:
Leslie, - Diocese of Derry and Raphoe. Parishes and Clergy.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

W. Northern Ireland/International Interest
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance
X. Local Interest
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance

Evaluation

A pretty Neo- Gothic Tudor style small mid Victorian church located in a stunning site on the edge of Carrick gorge. Built of random rubble with sandstone buttresses crowned with spiky pinnacles, slated roof, reminiscent of the Down & Connor church Accommodation Society plan developed by Lanyon. The building is well preserved, had an excellent timber ceiling added in 1907.