Gates and screen

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A gatescreen comprising a pair of openwork iron piers supporting an ironwork archway, and containing a pair of vehicular gates, flanked to each side by pedestrian gates and railings which terminate in square masonry piers at the extremities. Arranged in an east to west direction with the front facing to the north.

Openwork piers of 19th century appearance are of square plan with semi-circular arched sides surmounted by square ogee openwork caps, all embellished with ornate scrollwork panels, and supporting later and more simple superstructure of 20th century appearance which consists of openwork posts linked by a two-tier openwork arch inscribed with the name of the church.
Central gates, of 19th century appearance, consist of vertical and looped bars with spear-head finials.
Flanking gates and railings to each side of central piers are of 20th century appearance, and consist of vertical bars with spear-head finials rising from a bottom rail with large scrolls beneath.
Masonry pier to right is a front boundary pier of the adjoining Masonic Hall (HB20/08/022): square plan, of basalt rubble with white painted plinth, presumably of sandstone, and white painted cusped gabled cap, also presumably of sandstone, with small circular sunkings in each face.
Masonry pier to left is of square plan with stop-chamfered corners, on a plain base, with a plain gabled cap, with small circular sunkings in each face, all in smooth cement render, painted. Extending to the east are railings forming the front boundary of the church.

SETTING: The structures stand at the entrance to the driveway form the main street to the First Presbyterian Church. The Masonic Hall stands to the west and the Presbyterian Church hall to the east.

Historical information

Original gates erected in 1831, set up on the 3rd of December that year, and described as "all made of wrought hammered work by 'the mechanic of the north'"; overthrow and mountings have appearance of 20th century additions.

References – Primary Sources
1. OS Map 1857, Co Antrim 50.

Secondary Sources
1. UAHS, Antrim and Ballymena (Belfast, 1969), p 6.
2. T. West, A Historical Sketch of 1st Antrim Presbyterian Church (Belfast, 1902).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

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

Evaluation

This is a gatescreen composed of original early 19th century elements and later elements which presents an impressive entrance to the early 19th century church grounds.