Our Lady of the Assumption RC Church,

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Large modern style circular church of 1963-67 by McLean & Forte. The building is set on the E side of the Downs Road overlooking the Irish Sea coast.

The building consists of a large ground level drum surmounted by a smaller clerestorey drum with an undulating reinforced concrete folded slab roof.

The entrance is to the W side and consists of a large projecting flat roofed section which follows the curve of the main building. Its central portion is a colonnaded portico within which are two sets of two timber sheeted double doorways with large fanlights and timber sheeting between each doorway. Between the sets of doorways the wall is in rock faced granite-like concrete brick with modern style glazed panels glazed with stained glass. The columns supporting the portico roof have a terrazzo finish and taper towards ground level. The portico floor has a marble finish and there is timber sheeting to the pitched ceiling. The bays which enclose the portico are smooth rendered with modern glazed panels as before.

To the E side of the drum is a recessed colonnade with plain, broad, rendered columns. Within this area the curved wall is smooth rendered with many square lights at ground level and above. The sides of the recess contain timber sheeted doors leading to the vestry etc.

The main walls of the drum have a series of large pebbledashed (limestone) panels with granite-like dark concrete between and to base.

The roof is copper sheeted and topped with a copper sheeted cupola which was originally glazed itself topped with a cross.

The entrance to this church faces directly into the backs of shops on Main Street. This would appear to have thwarted the original design intention of an open forecourt in front of the church giving access to Main Street.

Historical information

This church was built between 1963 and 1967 to designs by McLean & Forte and replaced the 19th century RC church on Main Street. The stained glazing was designed by Jack Calderwood. The cupola was originally glazed but this proved unsatisfactory and it is now copper sheeted.

References- Secondary sources
1 P.J. Rankin, 'Historic Buildings, Groups of Buildings, Areas of Architectural Importance in the Mourne Area of South Down', (Belfast UAHS 1975), p.77.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
D. Plan Form
F. Structural System
G. Innovatory Qualities
H-. Alterations detracting from building
I. Quality and survival of Interior

Criteria for listing: historic interest

W. Northern Ireland/International Interest
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Large modern style circular church of 1963-67 by McLean & Forte with undulating roof and cupola.