St. John's Church of Ireland

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A rectangular rural Parish church with 20th century bell-cote; originally built c.1841 and located south of Stoneyford Road in the village of Stoneyford. Rectangular on plan set on an east-west axis; projecting porch and chancel to rear; modern vestry (1997) to rear.

Pitched natural slate roof with terracotta ridge tiles, raised stone verges to gable with capped kneelers (also to gabled porch). Cast-iron half round rainwater goods on projecting timber eaves. Walling is roughcast render on plinth with raised sandstone quoins. Windows are a variety of timber-framed lancets (some latticed), some replacements; leaded and stained glass tripartite Y-tracery window to east.

The principal elevation faces west, comprising stepped gable with central pedimented bell-cote (with bell) and decorative kneeler stones; continuous moulded and vented panel to gable. Prominent projecting gabled and cheeked porch; Gothic-arched paired moulded reveal on plinth; double-leaf timber-sheeted door having timber-sheeted transom light, cast iron strap hinges and handle; accessed by single stone step (ramped access to south).

The north elevation is three openings wide.

The east elevation is abutted by projecting chancel with tripartite Y-tracery window and brick chimney to gable; stepped entrance to basement enclosed by cast-iron gate and railings; abutted to left by vestry (1997).

The south elevation is three openings wide.

Setting:
Located in the centre of Stoneyford village with graveyard to south and church hall to east; enclosed by rubble-stone wall to north and timber fence to west; open to church hall to east; curved entrance wall with reconstituted stone/concrete gate piers, parapet wall and decorative cast-iron gates and railings with ball finial.

Roof: Natural slate
Walling: Roughcast render
Windows: Timber-framed replacements
RWG: Cast-iron

Historical information

The Ordnance Survey Memoirs (1833-38) records that a Protestant congregation of around 150 people from Stoneyford celebrated religious services in a local schoolhouse as they were very remote from the Parish Church of Derriaghy. The congregation met here until St. John’s Church of Ireland was constructed, first appearing on the second Ordnance Survey map for the area in 1857 and depicted as an oblong building. Griffith’s Valuation (1860) valued the church at £12, a value which was maintained until the end of the Annual revisions in 1929.

The Church was re-opened in December 1889 after improvement works were carried out on the building. The Lisburn Standard wrote that ‘the uncomfortable high-backed box pews[were] replaced by open benches of pitch pine, and the large space occupied by an unsightly prayer-desk and pulpit of former days is now utilised to seat the choir’ (Lisburn Standard, 14 December 1889). The church was not recorded as ‘St. John’s Church’ until the third edition of the Ordnance Survey maps (1900-1901).

Kelly tells us that the license allowing the rector and curate of Derriaghy to conduct services in a school room in Stoneyford was granted in 1837. St. John’s was constructed in October 1841 as a Church of ease with seating capacity for a congregation of 220 to 300. The plot of land was supplied by the Marquis of Hertford and a grant of £482 made by the Church Accommodation Society. The Church cost a total of £554 to build but was not consecrated and dedicated to St. John until 28th October 1874. A Rectory was bought for the Church in 1862 and in 1887 the current parish of Stoneyford was carved out for the church. The Church underwent renovations in 1934 and was later re-roofed and had a new heating system installed. The current organ was also added to the church in 1934. The old Rectory was demolished and replaced with a modern residence in 1991 (Kelly, p.74).

The Church was listed in the same year and in 1995 a plan to extend the Church Vestry was submitted; this was added in 1997 and opened by the Bishop of Connor (NIEA File).

References:

1. PRONI VAL/1/A/1/63 – Field Map c.1830
2. PRONI VAL/1/B/170 – Townland Valuation
3. PRONI OS/6/1/63/1 – First Edition OS Map 1832
4. PRONI OS/6/1/63/2 – Second Edition OS Map 1857
5. PRONI OS/6/1/63/3 – Third Edition OS Map 1900-1901
6. PRONI OS/6/1/63/4 – Fourth Edition OS Map 1920-1921
7. PRONI VAL/2/B/1/57 – Griffith’s Valuation 1860
8. PRONI VAL/12/B/8/5 A – Annual Revisions 1863-1879
9. PRONI VAL/12/B/8/5 B – Annual Revisions 1879-1889
10. PRONI VAL/12/B/8/5 C – Annual Revisions 1890-1900
11. PRONI VAL/12/B/8/5 D – Annual Revisions 1900-1907
12. PRONI VAL/12/B/8/5 E – Annual Revisions 1908-1929
13. The Lisburn Standard (1889)
Secondary Sources

1. Kelly, D., ‘Lisburn’s rich church heritage: Churches and places of worship in the Lisburn city area’ Lisburn: Impression Print and Design, 2009.
2. NIEA File – HB19/02/012.

Online Resources

Glenavy History: http://www.glenavyhistory.com/ (Genealogy website).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

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

Evaluation

A plain rectangular plan rural Parish church with 20th century bell-cote; built c.1841 and located south of Stoneyford Road in the village of Stoneyford. The church retains much of its 19th century character despite a small modern extension to the rear and replacement of some original windows. The interior, although simple, contains original timber pews and some interesting early 20th century detailing. Set within its original church yard and with its original rubble stone boundary walling to the front, the church is a local landmark and contributes to the architectural heritage of this largely rural area.