Christ Church

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A cruciform neo-gothic edifice with nave, north and south transepts, narrower east chancel, west tower, separate vestry connected by north porch to transept. On either side of chancel, a former vestry and organ room. Walls roughcast rendered externally with natural slated roof, ridges of nave and transepts on same level, that over chancel drops. Roof over former vestry has ridge parallel to south transept while roof of organ room is lean-to sloping north. In the angle of the nave and north transept is a boiler room with external steps leading down to it.

The main entrance is in the south wall of the tower which is of four stages each of which steps inwards slightly from that below. The top stage or belfry finishes with simple crenellations. Main entrance, pointed with moulded sandstone surround, double wood doors and tympanum filled in with wooden panelling. On the west side ground floor there is a large oculus with bold neo-classical circular surround with keystone and date at bottom 1881. The upper stages are punctuated with single openings with semi-circular heads while the belfry has three semi-circular headed louvred openings on each face.

The nave is lit by 3no. pointed windows on each side,each window with two lights , with sandstone trefoil and quatrefoil cusping. The south transept has 1no. two light similar windows on each side with three light pointed gable window with cusping and quatrefoil.The north transept has 1no. two light windows on each side but on the gable above the north porch there is a rose window. The chancel east gable has a three light pointed window again cusped and with a sextet. Adjoining the north transept and connected to it by the north porch there is a large choir vestry room containing toilets and kitchenette with pitched roof and series of two light square headed windows, all built in 1967.

The church occupies a secluded site entered through iron gates and screen of railings and piers near the eastern end of Main Street on the north side. There are 6no. moulded neo-classical sandstone piers The site widens with the church occupying the eastern corner and all around many graves and mausolea of former parishioners. A wall of stone and red brick encloses the spaces and beyond the east and north sides the ground falls away precipitously allowing excellent views of Keady mountain, Benevenagh, Myroe and Lough Foyle. Within the graveyard is the Beresford mausoleum of 1832 much resembling the Cather vault in the old graveyard at Walworth, Ballykelly (HB02/10/001). A sturdy neo-classical ashlar build sandstone structure with pediments and finely chiselled acroteria. The Conn vault is also worthy of note.

Historical information

When the present church site was first used is not certain but the Visitation Book of 1693 states “The church was anciently in the centre of the parish but was removed to Newtown Limavady before the troubles for the conveniency of the Town. It is not yet consecrated because George Phillips, on whose estate it stands, hath not made a conveyance of it to the Bishop which, with a plott for a house for the Minister in Newtown and a parke, is judged necessary by the Bishop before he consecrates it.” The troubles it is assumed are those of the 1688/9 period and George Phillips was the grandson of Sir Thomas Phillips. The church was rebuilt in 1750 and consisted of nave only and a gallery was added in 1824. D Girvan suggests that the ‘Steeple and belfry’ erected 1765. The north transept was added in 1825 with porch making the church plan L-shaped. When Rev. A F. Smyly was made rector in 1881 the church was completely renovated and the south transept and chancel added. This work took place between 1880-83. The Bishop consecrated the church on 1 Dec 1881. The whole cost £2000 and the builder was Joseph Ballentine of Londonderry. Canon King, rector 1904-21 had the wood panelling etc in chancel carried out and the decorative chancel arch and most likely influenced the location and character of the war memorial. In 1967 a choir vestry was added to the north porch at a cost of £6000 in memory of Canon White rector (1932-63). The graveyard and grounds of the church were extended over the years from 1830 until its present size. The parochial hall within the church grounds was built in 1969. In early 1970 the church was again restored.

References:
Primary Sources:
OS Map 'Newtown Limavady' enlarged from 1st Edition Map (1831) PRONI: Val 2D/5/4 & T2933/4/126
OS Map 'Newtown Limavady' (1848 revision with notes of 1858 valuation) PRONI: 058/120/1/1 & T2933/3/140
OS Map ' Town of Limavady' (1895) PRONI:Val 2D/5/4 & 293/4/261
OS Map ' Town of Limavady' (1907) PRONI:058/120/2/3

Secondary Sources
Visitation book of 1693
D Girvan, 'The Buildings of north Derry' UAHS 1975 p9
Knowles Seymour, 'Parish of Drumachose'

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
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 good example of the development and growth of a late 17th century church over a period of more than 300 years.The church retains its gothic planter style even though this has been modified over the centuries during major renovation and restoration works. These saw the edifice grow from a simple rectangular form to a relatively sophisticated (internally at least) transeptual plan with various obtrusions. Though the site has grown considerably in size over the years the present setting with its graveyard, enclosing walls, entrance gates, stone piers and railings is critical to the success of the building's visual context.