Tamlaght Finlagan Parish Church (C of I),

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A rubble stone built church having a three bay long nave with western tower and spire and an east chancel in Neo-gothic style.The building is faced with a pleasing rustic whinstone strongly articulated with buttresses including the clasping corner type. Walls terminate in crenellations with simple sandstone pinnacles to each buttress. The pitched roofs have natural slates. North aisle has been added with lean-to roof and pointed piers.Narrow lancets are trimmed with sandstone. Likewise the vestry added to the north side against the chancel wall. This has a shouldered door and pair of pointed lancets in gables. Three tall lancets with Y tracery punctuate the south wall with pointed hood mouldings. A large three light window with interesting tracery and hood moulding lights the east gable of the chancel.

The pointed entrance door is placed in the south side of tower with tall pointed window in other walls.

The three stage tower is marked at top of lower stage by a string course and marked at the next with a deep band of pointed blank arcading. Louvred oculii mark the belfry which ends in crenellations, with simple pinnacles at each corner. From the belfry springs a plain but pleasing octagonal spire in sandstone - specially to greet the eye of the edifying bishop, the Earl of Bristol, (1730-1803) on his way to Downhill.

The church is handsomely sited on a slight rise on the northern edge of Ballykelly village and set back some 100 metres from the main road to Limavady. The church and graveyard is bound by a stone wall of average height of 1.5 metres, this wall is being rebuilt where it separates the ecclesiastical site from Shackleton Barracks. Around the perimeter of the graveyard mature trees form a sylvan
setting.

Note: Gage vault in graveyard is a separate listing see (HB02/10/009B).

Historical information

The church was built to replace what was called the ‘Garrison’ church at Walworth and rector Harry Bruce was installed in 1795. Contributions for its building came mainly from Bishop Harvey and John Beresford. The builder was a Mr Mitchell. If there was an architect it may have been Mr Shanahan for the Bishop writing to Beresford sent plans and elevations “lest Mr Shanahan should not have provided you with one”. In 1851 the chancel, vestry and gallery were added and in 1859 the north aisle. Joseph Wellend being the architect. In 1934 the interior was renovated. The position of the Lady Jane Hamilton sculpture must have been changed when the north aisle was built and indeed was probably originally sited in the ‘Garrison’ church when the chancel was added there.

References:
H Gough, Tamlaght Finlagan, an Historic Church 1995
J Scurl, The Londonderry Plantation 1609 - 1914
D Girvan, The Buildings of North Derry UAHS
P Rankin, Irish Building Ventures of the Earl Bishop of Derry UAHS 1972 p41-42

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H+. Alterations enhancing the building
I. Quality and survival of Interior

Criteria for listing: historic interest

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

Evaluation

A handsome late 18th century church with delightful spire, simple plan form of the 'Planter's' church excellenetly sited on the periphery of Ballykelly village and forming a marvellous foil to the background of Lough Foyle and Benevanagh cliffs. Although added to in the middle of the 19th century these additions have been handled sensitively. Within there are several worthy memorials. Sited within a well filled graveyard containing some notable vaults.l (See HB02/10/009B).