Killaney Presbyterian Church

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A double-height former Presbyterian Church, now hall, dated 1846, located to the south side of Church Road, Boardmills. Rectangular on plan with attached single-storey extension at south gable.

Roof is pitched natural slate with blue/black clay ridge tiles; chimney at south gable; replacement uPVC gutters. Walling is roughcast rendered with rendered projecting stepped quoins, gable elevations are ruled-and-lined render. Stained glass leaded lights with bottom hung openings are contained within chamfered stone reveals in round-arched-headed openings and projecting masonry sills, all windows are of similar style and dated 1961 (all have secondary glazing). Windows to single-storey extension are replacement timber framed mock lattice casements.

Symmetrical principal entrance (gable) faces north having central entrance, comprising moulded pilasters supporting moulded architrave over segmental headed opening containing timber panelled double leaf doors and leaded stained glass fanlight, accessed by single masonry step. First floor level contains two diminished windows with moulded hoodmould and labelstops.

East elevation is four windows wide.

South gable is abutted by single-storey extension of little interest; exposed section contains projecting chimney and single window at right, window at left covered by roof construction of single-storey extension.

West elevation is four windows wide.

Single-storey L-plan extension at south has natural slate roof, replacement uPVC rainwater goods; walling is ruled-and-lined smooth render. Exterior style and internal detailing are of little architectural or historical interest; further extended at east by timber constructed store with felt flat roof.

Setting:

The church is set on a large cemetery site accessed at north via splayed boundary walls galvanised gate and early pedestrian entrance directly in front of the principal entrance, terminating at the road edge with square piers with pyramidal caps supporting double-leaf cast-iron gates. Graveyard comprises a range of grave markers dating from the late nineteenth century, most notable is a large pedimented grave marker located adjacent to the original pedestrian entrance, dated 1868 and dedicated to the memory of William Martin who died June 1865.

Roof: Pitched natural slate
Walling: Ruled-and-lined smooth render and roughcast render
Windows: Stained glass leaded lights
RWG: Replacement uPVC

Historical information

There are three Presbyterian churches situated along Church Road in the Boardmills area, reflecting a complex history of secession within the local congregations. The first congregation to be established in the area c1749 was itself part of a Seceder movement which had begun several years previously in Scotland. This congregation built a church in 1802, to the west of the present church. (History of Congregations)

A second congregation was formed in 1811 following a dispute over whether the minister should accept an increased Regium Domum and a church was built by this congregation in 1812 within the village of Boardmills which was known as Second Boardmills. (History of Congregations)

The present church came to be built as the result of a second breakaway from the original Secession church which occurred when the congregation of First Boardmills joined the General Assembly in 1840. Some members of the congregation objected and seized the meeting house. However, following intervention by Revs Dr Henry Cooke and Dr R Steward, Lord Downshire was persuaded to mediate and the seceders were offered £350 to resign their claims to the meeting house. This money was used to build the present church which was opened in 1846. The church is situated to the east of the former First Boardmills and the congregation established here became known as Killaney. Tensions between First Boardmills and Killaney remained high for a time but in 1925 the congregation was received into the General Assembly and Killaney and Second Boardmills became united. In 1974, First and Second Boardmills and Killaney came together under the ministry of Rev George Simpson. In 2002 they were amalgamated into a single congregation, known as Trinity Presbyterian Church, Boardmills. (History of Congregations; Kelly, p.170) The congregation of Trinity Presbyterian now worships in the former First Presbyterian church and the other two buildings, including the present church, are no longer in regular use. (www.lisburn.com)

In the 1950s repairs and alterations were carried out to the present building, including the replacement of all the windows. In the 1960s a new minister’s room and choir room were added to the church. (History of Congregations)

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/3/15/1 – First Edition OS Map 1834
2. PRONI OS/6/3/15/2 – Second Edition OS map 1859
3. PRONI OS/6/3/15/3 – Third Edition OS Map c1900
4. PRONI OS/6/3/15/4 – Fourth Edition OS Map 1919-20

Secondary Sources

1. “A History of Congregations in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 1610-1982” authorised by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Belfast: Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland, 1982 (available at www.presbyterianhistoryireland.com)
2. Kelly, J A “Lisburn’s Rich Church Heritage, Churches and Places of Worship in the Lisburn City Area” 2009
3. www.lisburn.com

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A double-height former Presbyterian Church, now hall, dated 1846, located to the south side of Church Road, Boardmills. Rectangular on plan with attached single-storey extension at south gable. Despite the lack of original internal detailing the church retains its original plan form and the main characteristics of the façade. Although an interesting country church of local significance it is not considered of special interest and worthy of listing.