Parochial House, 41 Moyle Road, Newtownstewart BT78 4AP

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Detached three-bay two-storey rendered former presbytery, built c.1925. Rectangular on plan facing north on the south side of Moyle Road to the west of Newtownstewart Presbyterian Church (HB10/04/014). Now vacant the house has a two-bay two-storey flat-roofed extension abutting the rear elevation, and further single-storey flat-roofed extension, built c.1980.

Hipped natural slate roof, roll-moulded black clay ridge tiles, terracotta finials and a pair of symmetrically-placed rendered profiled chimneystacks, and further chimneystack rising from the rear elevation. Overhanging eaves with series of rendered corbels supporting cast-iron rainwater goods to timber fascia with moulded string course below. Painted ruled-and-lined rendered walling, rendered quoins and plinth course, continuous moulded string course at ground floor lintel level and further continuous cornice above ground floor. Square-headed window openings, painted concrete sills and 2/2 timber sash windows (unless otherwise stated), chamfered reveals and hood mouldings to first floor.

Symmetrical three-bay front elevation with central gable-fronted entrance porch and a three-sided canted bay to either side. First floor central window is single-pane timber sash with coloured glass margin lights. Each canted bay has a parapet wall concealing the roof with a 2/2 timber sash window and single-pane timber sash window to either side with continuous sill course. Entrance porch has pitched natural slate roof behind raised gable having saddle-back coping surmounted by a trefoil and having gableted kneelers on console brackets. Four-centred arch door opening with hood moulding, stop-chamfered reveals and original raised-and-fielded timber panelled door with dentilled lintel cornice and overlight. Single-pane timber sash window to either cheek of porch.
Two-bay two-storey east side elevation with off-centre window opening to first floor only, abutted by rendered brick screen wall.
Rear elevation abutted by later extensions with a single-pane timber sash window to the first floor.
Two-bay two-storey west side elevation with an off-centre window opening to both floors.
Two-storey extension has a flat roof with copper lining from roof to first floor lintel level. Painted cement rendered walling with square-headed landscape window openings and uPVC windows.
Small front area enclosed to road by rendered wall with access to site to the west. Side and rear site is finished in gravel with a small garage abutting single-storey extension.

Roof Natural slate
Walling Painted cement render
Windows Timber sash
Rainwater goods Cast-iron

Historical information

This is a former presbytery, situated next to Newtownstewart Presbyterian Church (HB10/04/014). There have been buildings on the site since the second edition of 1854, but the present building first appears on the fourth edition of 1936.

Griffith’s Valuation (1858) lists the building formerly on the site as a house and offices occupied by David White and leased from John Phelan and John Patton. The valuation is £5.10s. In 1876 the house became the home of John Todd M.D. and in 1878 a ‘new house’ had been built on the site, valued at £13. In 1891 it appears to have become a presbytery. The occupier and lessor is now the Reverend W. J. O’Doherty. In 1910 the occupier becomes Reverend McLaughlin and in 1923 the value is revised to £22. This revaluation indicates that the house has been rebuilt.

In 1934 the occupier is the Reverend Andrew Campbell who leases the property from the Rt Reverend John K. O’Doherty later amended to the Rt Reverend Dr O’Kane. The valuation is £22, later increased to £24. The house comprises a kitchen, scullery, store and two receptions downstairs and four bedrooms, one reception, a bathroom and a W.C. upstairs. The valuer comments, “Rent free from bishop. House fairly good...Town water supply. No gas or electric light.” A plan and dimensions are given.

“Newtownstewart Remembered” carries ‘before’ and ‘after’ photographs of the presbytery, one taken in 1907 and showing a single storey dwelling, the second taken after the rebuild of 1923, showing the present much larger, two-storey dwelling. (p.46-7)

References:

Primary Sources:

1. PRONI OS/6/6/17/2 – Ordnance Survey Map 1854
2. PRONI OS/6/6/17/3 – Ordnance Survey Map 1905
3. PRONI OS/6/6/17/4 – Ordnance Survey Map 1936
4. PRONI Printed Griffith’s Valuation, Union of Strabane (1858)
5. PRONI VAL/12/B/42/27A-H – Annual Revision Records (1860-1929)
6. PRONI VAL/3/D/7/10F/2 – Valuers RV Binder (1933-1957)

Secondary Sources:

1. Dunbar, Billy. “Newtownstewart Remembered” Omagh, Strule Press, 1987
2. Gebbie, John Hewitt. “Ardstraw Parish Church, Newtownstewart: Year Book and Blotter, 1946.” Newtownstewart, Co.Tyrone: Self-published, 1946.
3. Gebbie, John Hewitt. “Ardstraw (Newtownstewart): Historical Survey of a Parish 1600-1900.” Omagh: The Strule Press, 1968.
4. Lewis, Samuel. “A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, Comprising the Several Counties, Cities, Boroughs, Corporate, Market, and Post Towns, Parishes, and Villages, With Historical and Statistical Descriptions; Embellished with Engravings of the Arms of the Cities, Bishopricks, Corporate Towns, and Boroughs; Of the Seals of the Several Municipal Corporations.” London: S. Lewis & Co., 1837.
5. Presbyterian History Society. [Internet Source]. Available from: (Accessed 16th May, 2009).
6. Rowan, A “The Buildings of Ireland: North West Ulster” (1979), 442

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A three-bay two-storey former Parochial House on the south side of Moyle Road adjacent to Newtownstewart Presbyterian Church (HB10/04/014) and erected in 1923. Now empty, this house exhibits a decorative rendered façade and retains most of its original fabric. This 1920's house is detailed in an old fashioned style and with the rear extension and other alterations is of limited architectural interest.