3rd Presbyterian Church

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Early 19thC Neo-classical church with graveyard on N side of Newry Street. The late 19thC church hall is placed directly opposite, on S side of the street (HB16/08/041).

Hipped artificial slate roof with small pitched gable behind a pedimented front (S) elevation. Modern aluminium ogee rainwater goods. Slender dashed chimney rises from centre of rear (N) wallhead. All walls are smooth lined cement rendered (painted to front).

Front elevation has a chamfered painted base course and shallow blocked stucco quoins (alternating pairs) to either side. Broad slightly raised eaves cornice with blocking course over. Granite coped central pediment with blind oval occulus inset.

Entrance at ground floor centre consists of a pair of four panelled (raised and fielded) modern painted timber doors set within a dressed granite doorcase. This comprisesa plain unpainted pilasters supporting an entablature (also unpainted; plain frieze and moulded cornice) supporting a plain shallow painted pediment onto which a modern light is attached.

To ground floor left and right is a tripartite window. Each consists of three round-headed windows, with central one wider and taller. Each has a plain pilastered jamb supporting run moulded heads (central one has an advanced keystone); shared painted granite cill. Each opening contains a modern stained timber window; the central one is a reproduction 2/2 horizontally divided sash with an additional round head. Sidelights are 2/2 sashes with top pane rounded.

At first floor there are three windows. All are modern stained timber with semicircular heads, run moulded architraves and advanced keystones. All have painted cills supported on foliated consoles. Flanking the central window are applied moulded roundels.

Left (W) elevation is three windows wide. All windows are large and spoke-headed 15/20 sliding sashes, with coloured glazing, exposed boxes and granite cills. At first floor right is a small modern 1/ 2 metal casement top hung window with concrete cill.

Rear (N) elevation has a narrow advanced chimney breast to centre. This is flanked to either side by a large semicircular headed stained glass window with rendered cill and modern security glazing over. Centre left of this elevation is abutted at low level by a boiler room which has a flat asphalt roof and rendered walls. Accessed by steps down to t +g door on east cheek; wall otherwise blank. Plastic oil storage tank to its right.

Right (E) elevation identical to the left (W) elevation but without plastic security glazing or the first floor casement.

A wall and railings to the street enclose churchyard. The wall is high to left and right; the left side containing an EIIR Royal Mail post box. The central section of wall is lower with an overhanging coping supporting plain wrought iron railings with foliated heads. There are matching gates on slender granite posts.

Historical information

The church was opened in 1836, the land having been purchased from General Meade. It is depicted in the 1834 Valuation map as ‘Seceder’s Meeing Ho”, but is not in the 1834 Ordnance Survey Memoir (indicating that it was probably in progress). The lecture hall opposite (HB16/08/041) was constructed in 1896.

Primary Sources:
1. Ordnance Survey Memoir, Drumballeyroney Parish (1834).
2. PRONI Valuation map (1:1760), VAL 1D/3/3.

Secondary Sources:
1. C.Cartmill “Reminiscences in and around R’friland” in Public Library, John St, R’friland
2. P.J.Rankin “Hilltown and Rathfriland List” Belfast 1978-9.
3. J.A.McCracken “Third R’friland Presbyterian Church” in Public Library, John St, R’friland

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

This 19thC Neo-classical church on Newry Street has an attractive symmetrical front which has been slightly marred by the insertion of modern windows. Constructed in the early 19thC, it was extensively remodelled in the late 19thC and retains a good interior on the original plan.