METHODIST CHURCH,

The Department's description

Historical information

This former Methodist church was built in 1900-01 and dedicated to the memory Rev. John Gilcriest. Rev. Gilcriest (spelt ‘Gilchrist’ in some sources) was a noted figure locally, who having retired to Warrenpoint in 1890 did much to encourage the growth of Methodism in neighbouring Rostrevor in the following decade, establishing monthly services in the lecture hall at the northwest end of Cloughmore Road. Following his sudden death in 1899, his family, along with the members of the congregation, set about raising the finds for the building of a church, with the family said to have supplied about half of the eventual £850 construction cost. The design was also the work of a relative, architect John Fawcett Gilcriest of Belfast. The plot was granted by Mr. Joseph Weir, the foundation stone of the building was laid on 1 August 1900 and church officially opened on 9 January 1901; the contractor was William Lyons of Rostrevor.

In 1907 a matching Gothic style hall was built to the rear of the church, to a design by Samuel Wilson Reside of Newry.

The church closed in c.2010. The building was subsequently sold into private hands, and in c.2015 converted to a café / restaurant. As part of this conversion an extension was added to the rear linking to the formerly separate hall.

References – Primary sources
1 ‘Belfast News-Letter’ – 2 August 1900, p.6; 10 January 1901, p.5
2 OS map County series: Co. Down sheet 54 – 1902, 1919, 1930, 1950; IG series: sheet 277 - 1979
3 ‘Newry Reporter’ – 17 September 1907, p.8
4 HED Historic Building file HB16/06/034 – 1981-