Chapel at Convent of Mercy (RC)

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Located immediately south of convent (HB 16/30/014A), to which it is joined by a link block. Also connected by a corridor on its east gable to residential home opposite the convent.

Natural slate pitched roof, with tiled verges and corbelled eaves. Each gable is topped with a stone Celtic cross. Walls are painted and cement rendered.

At ground floor left on the wall facing the house (ie north elevation) is a semicircular-headed double door (used as fire exit). Above are five regularly spaced tall semicircular-headed windows. The link block from the house abuts most of the ground floor and the right end of this elevation. At the left end of this wall is a commemorative plaque, in Latin, to Rev Edward Mulhern; it is dated 1937.

The left gable (facing east) is abutted at ground floor centre by a flat-roofed corridor to residential home behind. To left and right on exposed section of wall is a semicircular-headed window. Above the corridor is a circular cusped stained-glass window with hood-mould.

A sanctuary projects from the west-facing gable. It has a roofsimilar to the main body of the chapel, but slightly lower, and has a masonry cross finial. The gable contains three tall semicircular-headed leaded windows, all leaded (the central one is taller than the flankers).

The south elevation has six regularly spaced semicircular-headed windows.

Looking towards the convent, the link block has a flat roofed section to front (abutting the gable of the front pile of the house), and gabled section behind (abutting the rear pile); these accommodate the sacristy and side chapel respectively. The façade of the sacristy is smooth rendered and painted, with block parapet and downpipe at right. At centre is a semicircular-headed door, with a semicircular-headed leaded window to either side. The back elevation of this block faces into the garden and is two storeys high (on account of the ground slope). It has two semicircular-headed leaded windows to first floor, and a casement window with top hung transom light below.

Historical information

A building is shown at this location on the 1835 OS map. However, a photograph in the chapel entrance notes that the present structure was erected through a bequest of John Jordan who died in 1935. Whether an existing building was refurbished, or demolished to make way for the new one, must await further research.
Deconsecrated c2005.

Primary Sources:

1. OS 6" map, 3rd edition PRONI OS 9/15/1/3.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

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

Evaluation

Rectangular former nave church in a simple modern style with chancel and side chapel. This nicely detailed church has a barrel vaulted roof and attractive stained glass windows. Despite its deconsecration the building stills retains its special interest and is of group value with the adjacent convent.