St Paul's Church of Ireland Church

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A church in a simple Romanesque style comprising a nave and chancel with shallow transepts forming a vestry and an organ chamber, and a porch at the north-west end of the nave surmounted by a bellcote. Main elevation faces north.

Roofs are gabled, of Bangor blue slates in regular courses, with a louvred and copper cupola-capped ventilator on the ridge of the nave. Walls are of snecked basalt rubble with what looks like reconstituted stone quoins and dressings to openings, with a slightly projecting plinth of coursed basalt dressed in chamfered reconstituted stone. Moulded cast iron gutters, and rectangular section cast iron downpipes with trefoil ended fixings.

North elevation comprises 5-bay nave with a blind walled chancel extending to the left. Main wall of nave has 3 lancet windows, semi-circular arched containing leaded glazing with decorative coloured tops; block dressed surrounds with chamfered reveals and moulded labels. To the left-hand end is a projecting gabled bay containing a similar window to nave; right-hand wall of projection blind; left-hand wall contains a semi-circular arched doorway which has a timber boarded door with decorative iron hinges, latch and handle, set in stop chamfered reveals; concrete doorstep.
To the right-hand end is a projecting gabled bay containing a lancet window in the gable, similar to nave, but surmounted by a shouldered bellcote in dressed stone which has a chamfered semi-circular arched opening containing a large bell.
Left-hand wall of projecting bay has a wide semi-circular arched doorway containing a timber boarded door with similarly detailed iron hinges and handle to previous; door set in stop chamfered reveals with torus moulding to the arch; modern handle fixed to left-hand jamb. To the right of the doorway, above plinth, is an inscribed foundation stone. Right-hand side of projecting bay is blind.

Extending to the left of the nave is a slightly set-back chancel; blind wall to north.
East gable of chancel contains a 3-light window of stained glass, covered with later protective metal grilles; apex of gable contains a cut stone panel containing a quatrefoil opening.
South elevation of nave is 5-bay, comprising 4 lancets, as previous, to main wall to left, with a single bay gabled projection to the right. One window, as previous, in gable of projection. To the rear of the projection rising from the main nave wall is a chimney with chamfered cut stone surmounted by a weathered cap.
Extending to the right is the slightly set-back chancel containing a small leaded lancet to the south wall.

SETTING: The building stands in a rural area, facing the public road but set well back from it, on rising ground, within its own grounds which are shared with a school and hall building (HB15/02/052). Site bounded by hedges and wooden fences; entrance gateway to driveway is comprised of a pair of iron gates set between circular roughcast piers flanked by curving roughcast screen walls. Grounds laid out with grassed areas and a car park. Modern paved area, laid with setts, immediately in front of church with paths skirting church. Later lean-to roofed rendered shed and a modern plastic heating-oil container stand close to the rear of the church.

Historical information

Built in 1926 to the designs of R.C. Orpen, architect of Dublin; builders, H. Laverty & Sons. Built by the bequest of Robert Francis Cope, of The Manor, Loughgall. Foundation stone laid 24 March 1926; consecrated 25 January 1927. Memorial desk executed by Purdy & Millard of Belfast; bell made by the foundry of Matthew Byrne of Dublin; stained glass window and leaded lights, all by Ward and Partners of Belfast.
The church was built as a chapel-of-ease for the parish of Kilmore. Prior to its being built, divine service had taken place in part of the adjacent schoolhouse (HB15/02/052). The font was brought here from this previous location, originally presented by Rev E. Gabbett A.M., in 1871 in memory of his wife Ellen.

References – Primary Sources
1. Inscribed foundation stone on building.
2. Inscribed plaque in building.

Secondary Sources
1. Irish Builder & Engineer, 5 February 1927, p 70.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
V. Authorship
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance

Evaluation

This is a 20th century church in a Romanesque style designed by an important Irish architect, which retains its original features, and forms a pleasing group with the adjacent school.