St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Gabled nave church with projecting chancel (under a lower roof). Main elevation is south east facing. Lean-to sacristy to left wall of church and chancel. Square tower abutting façade on left elevation.

Roof: natural slate with terracotta ridge tiles. Walls: squared rock faced stone with red sandstone detailing, and raised base course.

Main elevation: Gable and tower to left.

Gable - stepped buttresses to right side, deeply recessed central Gothic doorway (in red sandstone) with hood mould above. String course runs across façade from spring of arch. Two small lancet windows (leaded) rise from string course on either side of door. Above is a string course (just below eaves level, with foliated corbel centred above door. Corbel supports statue (in limestone?) of St Joseph, which stands in a niche below a projecting Gothic canopy. Close on either side are two tall Gothic openings contains pairs of lancet windows and quatrefoil above. A string course runs from the spring of the arch. Above is further string course and small Gothic louvre window. Gable apex, large Gothic cross, and skew stones in red sandstone.

Tower - In three stages: All stonework and details as church. Square in plan with stepped buttresses at each corner, rising to half way up first stage. Ground floor: Single, leaded lancet window to façade, left, and rear elevations. First stage: same as below, projecting sandstone string course above. Second stage: (rises from above eaves level of church). Pair of tall Gothic louvered openings on each face, above which is another projecting string course. Roof above: flat with an Irish battlemented parapet. Topped with tall metal cross.

North east elevation: five pairs of tall lancet windows with leaded glass- red sandstone trim linked by a string course at spring level. Rear elevation: chancel return with three tall lancet openings the centre one is taller (all stained glass). Oil heating tank (with flue) on brick plinth to left. Lean to gable to right belonging to the sacristy.

South west elevation four pairs of windows similar to those on right elevation. Lean to sacristy with sliding sash windows (one pair and two separate) Entrance through shouldered arch opening on right cheek of lean to. Grey slate roof with decorative terracotta ridge tiles. Cast metal gutters, one chimney to rear of church where chancel meets nave.

Historical information

A Catholic chapel is marked west of the present church on the 1834 and 1859 OS 6” maps (Down sheet 56). This structure was erected in 1825, being a rebuild of one built in the later 1700s. The present church first appears on the 1901 edition as St. Joseph’s RC Church. Unfortunately the valuation revision books (VAL 12B/19/4) do not distinguish between the old and new structures. All that can be said on the basis of the available information is that it is that it is of later 19th century date.

Primary Sources:
1. PRONI- 1834 OS map (Down sheet 56).
2. PRONI- 1859 OS map (Down sheet 56).
3. PRONI- 1901 OS map (Down sheet 56).
4. PRONI- Val 12B/19/4.

Secondary Source:
1. R.S.J. Clarke, Gravestone inscriptions Co. Down, vol. 10, p.1.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

This church is a typical example for its period, however, it is not of special architectural or historic interest.