Former Manse,

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A 1 ½-storey, three-bay former manse of the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church in Dunmurry is a 1 ½ storey three-bay Georgian dwelling built c.1770. This small rectangular plan form building is located at the end of a driveway off the Glebe Road off Kingsway, Dunmurry, adjacent to the main Belfast to Dublin railway on the north side.

The roof is pitched slate with clay ridge tiles and clipped verge gable ends, with rendered chimney stacks with pairs of clay pots over rising to the gable apexes. The RWG are cast iron gutters with replacement uPVC downpipes. The walling is smooth rendered with heavy rustication, a projected plinth and quoins to the gable ends. The windows are Georgian 6/6 timber sliding sash with no horns, with large stone cills and stucco moulded surrounds and label moulding over. The six-panelled timber front door is flanked by glazed panels and is of modern construction with fanlight over, set within an elliptical arched opening with panelled pilasters rising to similar archivolt with key-block.

The principal elevation is south facing and is symmetrically arranged. The front door is located centrally, served by two stone steps, with single ground floor window either side. Modern projecting lights are fixed to the wall to either side of the door.
The east facing gable elevation has two timber top hung, nine-pane casement windows, located on the left hand side to ground and first floor. Neither opening has moulded surrounds.

The north facing elevation has been heavily altered and is now encompassed by the large church hall adjoining the rear of the manse. The original external facade now forms part the church hall internal wall, with large glazed openings into the stair well and attic rooms. The rear pitch of the roof has been altered to suit the needs of the church hall.

The west facing gable elevation has a single window on the ground floor to the right hand side matching those to of the front elevation with moulded surrounds and label mould, with a window to the attic level, directly over, matching those on the west elevation.

The former manse is set adjacent to the grounds of the church. On approach from Glebe Road, a driveway leads up to the manse, via modern gates, to a secluded
setting, with views of the manse obscured by vegetation. The driveway opens up to create an expanse of tarmac with a turning circle in front of the dwelling. The new manse is located to the south west and is of modern construction. To the west of the manse there are mature trees and a stone outbuilding. To the rear of the manse is a large double height church hall built c.1975 which is amalgamated into the manse itself.

Roofing Slate
Walling Rusticated render
Windows Georgian sliding sash with some modern
RWG Cast iron guttering uPVC downpipes

Historical information

The first edition OS map from 1833 illustrates a small building with a moderately sized rear return located closely to the south elevation of the ‘Meeting House’. The style and proportions of the exterior could be dated to the late 18th century, although the OS memoirs (1832-38) makes reference to a small farm within the grounds of the ‘Meeting House’, with a “neat cottage for the accommodation of the minister for the time being.” These comments would suggest that the ministers accommodation then, was not the Georgian-styled dwelling which exists today, however the thick internal walls and very early staircase suggests that the present building could be a remodelling of an earlier mid 18th century building c.1750. The remodelling of the house may be tentatively dated to c.1850, at the same time as further alterations to the rear of the building occurred, as illustrated by the change in foot print on the 1858 OS map.

The Annual Revisions (1862-65) identifies the occupier as Rev Dr. Henry Montgomery, and further notes record a reduction to the valuation of the property from £51 to£ 44, following his intervention at the highest level; “Reduced by direction of the superintendent after an interview with Dr Montgomery. 28th July 62.”

The Annual Revisions up to 1922 record a series of succeeding ministers but it would appear that little change has occurred to the property during this period. The largest physical change occurred c.1975 with the erection of a double height hall, which encompassed the entire rear elevation of the manse, resulting in the loss of any architectural or historical character to this facade. Although no longer operating as the residence of the minister, since the erection of the new manse, the building continues to function as ancillary accommodation with much of its historical integrity intact.

References – Primary sources

1. PRONI VAL/12/B/8/15A-F - Annual Revisions 1862-22
2. PRONI OS/6/1/64/1 – OS Map 1833
3. PRONI OS/6/1/64/2b – OS Map 1859
4. PRONI OS/6/1/64/3 – OS Map 1904
5. PRONI OS/6/1/64/4 – OS Map 1925
6. PRONI OS/6/1/64/6 – OS Map 1938
7. Day, A. and P. McWilliams, eds. “Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland, Volume 8, Parishes of County Antrim II, 1832-8” Belfast: Institute of Irish Studies, 1991

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
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

The former manse is an elegant 1 ½ storey three-bay Georgian dwelling dating from the 18th century. The essential character of the building is exemplified by the style, proportions and detailing of the front elevation. The rear has been radically altered, by the double height church hall which adjoins the manse. Despite the large size of the extension, it is surprisingly well concealed. The addition has however resulted in the loss of historic material from the rear pitch and elevation, although the plan form has remained largely intact. The remaining joinery work and plaster work of the interior particularly to the stairs, doors and windows adds value to the historical and architectural interest of the building. Functionally and historically associated with the adjacent church, the manse is of interest to the local community.