Methodist Church

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Two storey gabled Methodist church, originally built in 1856, but greatly extended and altered in 1982 and now with a completely modern appearance. The building sits on the SW side of Lisburn Street to the W of Ballynahinch town centre.

To the centre of the E gabled front are three semicircular headed windows the centre one of which is tallest. The windows have leaded panes. To the left is a semicircular arch headed opening with a modern glazed door. The door leads into a small porch. To the right side the gable merges with a screen wall. This wall creates the illusion of a symmetrical façade (although the façade is slightly asymmetrical, with the right side being slightly shorter and the right corner therefore slightly higher). A semicircular arch headed opening matches the door to the left. To the apex of the gable is a small stone finial. Directly below this is a small panel inscribed ‘Wesleyan Chapel 1856’

The ground to the N side of Lisburn Street drops sharply, with the result that the N elevation of the building is two storeyed. To the left side is the end of the screen wall. To the right of this are three semicircular headed windows. The fall to the ground level follows the line of the outside stair. To the right of the stair is a small semicircular headed window. To the right is a two storey projecting bay. To the left of the ground floor of the bay is a recessed porch which is open on the N and E sides. To the right are four small semicircular headed windows. To the first floor there is a small gable feature with a large cross with the words ‘Methodist Church’ directly below. To either side is a semicircular arch headed window.

The W elevation comprises a series of vertical structural ‘fins’. Between the fins are a series of tall windows while to the ground floor the wall is recessed behind the fins to create a wide covered porch effect.

The S façade is mainly obscured by adjoining buildings but appears to have three small windows to the first floor.

The building is rendered and painted and the gabled roof is appears to be covered in artificial ‘slate’.

Historical information

This church was built in 1856 as a relatively simple gabled structure. In 1982 it was greatly extended and altered with the original church cell converted to a hall with the ‘church’ itself relocated to a new extension to the west side.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI OS/9/41/1 OS Town plan of Ballynahinch, 1860
2 PRONI VAL/12E/83/1 Valuation town plans, Ballynahinch, 1864-1905
3 PRONI VAL/12E/83/2 Valuation town plans, Ballynahinch, 1905-35
4 PRONI OS/8/3/2 OS town plan of Ballynahinch, 1920
5 PRONI VAL/3G/59/1 Valuation town plans, Ballynahinch, 1937-53

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Two storey gabled Methodist church, originally built in 1856, but greatly extended and altered in 1982 and now with a completely modern appearance. The original church cell now serves as a hall with the church itself located in the rear portion added in 1982.