Clough Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Small, single storey, classical style Non-subscribing Presbyterian church of 1837 by John Lynn. The building is set on the N side of Newcastle Road to the SW of the centre of the village of Clough and has a small graveyard.

The front (S) elevation is symmetrical. To the centre is a double height semicircular porch recess which is supported on plain granite columns with Ionic capitals and attic bases. To the rear of the porch is a pair of panelled doors. The centre panels are circular. The doors are curved slightly to match the adjoining walls and are surmounted by a radial fanlight . The walls to either side are rusticated. The column to the right has had a small portion of stonework to its inner ‘side’ neatly replaced.

To either side of the porch are double height recessed panels each framed by plain pilasters. To the ground floor of each panel is a segmental headed window with broad window surround and sash window (3/3). The lower sash to the right side has been replaced with a sash without astragals. The vertical sections of the window surrounds extend downwards to rest on a plinth. Directly above the segmental head is a bracketed ‘hood’ projection. Above this is a moulded string course which extends the width of the recessed panel. The string course supports a blind opening which is framed to match the window. The pilasters support a full width frieze which in turn supports a pediment which has a blind oculus feature to the tympanum. The pediment has a plain paired chimney stack to the apex.

The W and E side elevation are relatively plain. Each have three semicircular headed window openings with a recessed surrounded a multi pane Georgian frame. The windows are evenly spaced and set slightly S of centre. Each has an unusual ‘double sill’, and between the sills is an air vent.

The rear N elevation is gabled and symmetrical with two evenly spaced windows , as before. Near the apex of the gable is an oculus feature with a ventilation grill infill. Below the sills is a long, corrugated iron lean-to canopy which gives cover to an equally long ladder.

To the road side is are two sets of wrought iron gates with matching railings. The pillars and gate posts and in granite and have semi-spherical caps.

Historical information

This church was built in 1836-37 (in the wake of the final split between the ‘Unitarians’ and the rest of ‘mainstream’ Irish Presbyterians), to designs by John Lynn. Its construction was largely paid for by local commercial and gentry families such as the Murlands (of Annsborough), McCammons and the Allens of Mount Panther.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI VAL/1B/387 1st valuation, Loughinisland, 1836-38
2 PRONI VAL/1D/3/19 valuation plan of Clough, 1838
3 PRONI VAL/2D/3/2 valuation plan of Clough, c.1860 [with annotations of c.1905]
4 PRONI 2nd valuation, Loughinisland, c.1860 [in print]
5 PRONI OS/8/78/1 OS plan of Clough, 1901
6 PRONI VAL/3G/64/1 valuation plan of Clough, 1935-1956

Secondary sources
1 R.S.J. Clarke ‘Gravestone inscriptions vol.9’ (Belfast UHS ?1973), pp.24-25
2 James Stevens Curl ‘Classical churches in Ulster (Belfast UAHS 1980), p.6, 14

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

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

Evaluation

A good example of a, classical style Non-subscribing Presbyterian church of 1837 by John Lynn, with tall and well proportioned semicircular porch recess with Ionic columns.