Christ Church, Church of Ireland

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Gothic stone Church of Ireland church, built 1840, set on an east-west axis, cruciform on plan with two-stage tower to west gable, projecting chancel gable to east and four single-storey gabled entrance porches. On a slightly elevated site to the east of Hillsborough Road.

Pitched natural slate roofs with black clay ridge tiles, lead valleys and raised sandstone coping to all gables, trefoil apex stones with gableted kneeler stones to transepts and porches. Replacement metal rainwater goods on brackets to chamfered sandstone eaves. Random-coursed squared and tooled basalt walling with chamfered string course at plinth level. Pointed-headed window openings executed in chamfered sandstone ashlar with splayed sills, stained glass and storm glazing.

Front gabled elevation abutted by tower with a sandstone buttress to either end with off-sets, gablet mouldings and octagonal spires surmounted with poppy-head finials. To either side of tower is an oculus with hood moulding.

Square-plan two-stage gothic tower built of random-coursed tooled basalt with sandstone ashlar details. Double-height lower stage with angled sandstone buttresses having off-sets and gablets with poppy-head finials. Sandstone panel spanning the west elevation with cusped tracery panel containing iron clockface. The next stage has octagonal sandstone piers to the corners rising as spires with cusped geometric balustrade and arcaded corbelled course below. To the upper stage are paired gothic-arched belfry openings with hood mouldings and timber louvres to north, west and south sides. To the lower stage is a single lancet to the west and south elevations with hood moulding and stained glass. Small gabled entrance porch abutting north side of tower, dated 1982.

North nave is two windows wide with double-height window openings having simple Y-tracery. North transept (built c.1860) has battered walls and double-height flush sandstone ashlar plate tracery window (replacement coping to gable). To the west cheek of the transept is a small gabled entrance porch, also having replacement sandstone coping and battered walls, with a pointed-arched door opening, replacement diagonally-sheeted double-leaf timber door and lozenge window opening to both sides.

The rear east elevation is abutted by a gabled chancel projection, built c.1890, with flush sandstone ashlar plate tracery east window. To the northwest corner is a lower vestry block, built c.1935, with steel-framed windows and replacement timber door. To the south of the chancel is a further gabled porch, built c.1935 (with replacement sandstone coping) having pointed-arched door opening, double-leaf timber doors and pointed-headed window opening to the side with steel-framed window.

South side elevation abutted by south gabled transept, built c.1860, and lean-to side aisle with small gabled entrance porch set at an angle to the outer corner, both built c.1890. Paired lancet windows to the aisle in flush sandstone ashlar with stained glass. The entrance porch has replacement sandstone coping to the gable with a pointed-arched chamfered sandstone door opening with diagonally-sheeted timber door and diminutive pointed-arched openings to either side below the overhanging eaves.

Bitmac parking area to all sides set on an elevated landscaped site with mature deciduous and coniferous trees enclosed to the road by random rubblestone wall with stacked coping. 2 no. bitmac footpaths to northwest and to southwest opening onto the street each with decorative cast-iron gates on carved stone piers. Vehicular access to Church Lane and Smithfield Street.

Roof Natural slate
RWG Replacement metal
Walling Random-coursed squared basalt / sandstone ashlar
Windows Lancet chamfered sandstone with stained glass and storm glazing

Historical information

Christ Church was built in 1840 to designs by Charles Lanyon and has undergone several phases of enlargement.
With the considerable increase in the labouring population of Lisburn, due to the expansion in the linen industry in the early nineteenth century, it was decided, in 1840, to build a chapel of ease with free sittings for working people. A site was provided by the Marquess of Hertford, who also donated £400 towards the building of the church (Christ Church, Lisburn).

Designs were provided by Sir Charles Lanyon and contractors Messrs Arthur Morgan and James Vernon were appointed. The cost was £4,800 and the ‘New Church’ opened in November 1842. (Christ Church, Lisburn)

The church is first shown on the second edition OS map of 1857 captioned ‘New Church’. At this time it is a simple hall and tower with a vestry projecting from the north east corner. It is listed in Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64) as ‘New church and land’ and dimensions are given for the church of 21x11x2, the chancel, 6x3?x1?, a tower, 5x4?x5 and a vestry 4x3?x1. It is noted that wings are ‘in progress’, both measuring 9x9x2. The church is valued at £57.

Following the religious revival of 1859, north and south transepts and a gallery were constructed to provide accommodation for a further 280 worshippers, the work being completed in 1860. (Christ Church, Lisburn)

Until 1863 the church remained under the auspices of Lisburn Cathedral and was served by its curates, but it was then endowed with its own parish and consecrated, gaining its own Rector for the first time. In 1864 the Nicholson Memorial Hall was erected by Mrs Nicholson, the mother of John Nicholson, hero of the Indian Mutiny (HB19/16/04). (Christ Church, Lisburn)

The valuation of the church is increased to £67 in 1881 and to £107 in 1890 indicating that additions have been made to the building. These additions consisted of a further aisle and porch which are shown drawn onto the valuation town plan dating from 1877 to c1898. The rear of the church has also been extended slightly.

An extension designed by Seaver and Gibson was announced in the Irish Builder of 24th August 1935. This would appear to be the rear porch containing toilet facilities.

During the 1970s an extensive renovation and reconstruction programme was carried out. The Nicholson Hall was modernised and a new minor hall built with porch and games room. In 1982 the porch abutting the tower was rebuilt and enlarged, and the church halls were renovated in 1995. The church was also treated for the effects of dry rot and new pews and flooring were installed. (Christ Church, Lisburn)

References

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/1/68/2 – Second Edition OS map 1857
2. PRONI OS/6/1/68/3 – Third Edition OS Map c1900
3. PRONI OS/6/1/68/4 – Fourth Edition OS Map 1921
4. PRONI OS/6/1/68/5 – Fifth Edition OS Map 1939
5. PRONI VAL/2/B/1/61D – Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64)
6. PRONI VAL/12/B/8/9A-T – Annual Revisions (1863-1924)
7. PRONI VAL/12/E/40/1 – Annual Revisions Town Plan (1877-c1898)
8. PRONI VAL/12/E/40/2 – Annual Revisions Town Plan (1898-c1907)
9. PRONI VAL/12/E/40/4 – Annual Revisions Town Plan (1907-c1927)
10. Irish Builder, Vol 77, 24 Aug 1935, p. 757

Secondary Sources

1. Christ Church, Lisburn (available at www.lisburn.com)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H+. Alterations enhancing the building
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

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

Evaluation

A cruciform basalt and sandstone gothic revival church, dating from 1840 and designed by Charles Lanyon, displaying good style and proportions and an impressive pinnacled tower. The evolution of the building is noteworthy, as it has had multiple additions during its history, most of which have successfully emulated Lanyon’s original detailing. The resulting composition, although somewhat unusual, is of interest and the original interior although restored in parts, is largely intact. Set on a prominent landscaped elevated site on the south approach to Lisburn the church is an important architectural and historical landmark near the city centre.