Protestant Hall

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A tall double-storey height gabled hall with a single storey entrance block across its front and a 2-storey block to one side, all in black basalt with yellow brick dressings. Main entrance faces east.

East elevation: main gabled hall, set back, together with the single-storey range projecting at the ground floor, forms a symmetrical composition: walling of coursed basalt rubble, with granite quoins to extremities (precise stone used is uncertain in each case). Main gable has yellow brick corbel course, with shaped sandstone or granite kneelers, and sandstone or granite coping; ornamented ironwork finial to apex; two chimneys, one to each roof pitch, of yellow brick with moulded brick cornice; two stub pots each; large ocular panel in first floor of gable, set in a moulded yellow brick surround with large sandstone keystone which is inscribed '1868'.

Single storey entrance block is 3-bay, with a central elliptically arched entrance with chamfered reveals and brick block surrounds, flanked each side by coupled semi-circular arched windows set in similar surrounds; windows to right of entrance are arched timber sliding sash, vertically hung, 1 over 1, with horns; windows to left are modern pvc fixed lights with top-hung opening lights; moulded brick cornice.

Two-storey block to right-hand end, in same plane as single-storey entrance block: 2-bay, gabled to the front, of similar materials as main gabled hall, including quoins to extremities; moulded stringcourse, one course higher than adjacent stringcourse; small rectangular panel in apex of gable set in chamfered brick reveals with moulded brick drip over. Two windows to first floor, segmental arched timber mullioned and transomed, set in brick block surrounds with brick drip moulding; sandstone keystone; projecting sandstone cills on moulded brick corbel course. One similar window to ground floor, to left, with doorway to right: door is steel sheeted.

South side of 2-storey block: roof of Bangor blue slates in regular courses; walling as previous; one window, modern rectangular pvc.

South elevation of main gabled hall is abutted by a lower building adjacent; roof slated as previous; walling of basalt rubble.

Rear elevation: main gabled hall is of roughly coursed basalt with red brick block quoins and dressings to openings: three ground floor openings are flat arched and are boarded over with corrugated asbestos; one first floor opening has a rectangular timber window, sashed 1 over 1, and one smaller opening with concrete lintel and what looks like timber fixed lights. To left is a lower flat roofed block, smooth cement rendered, lined and blocked; lower concrete blockwork extension to left of that.

Rear elevation of 2-storey block, within a yard, is of similar materials as rear of main gabled block: window opening to ground floor is partly blocked up; contains a later modern timber fixed light and top-hung vent; doorway to first floor contains a modern rectangular metal framed doorway leading onto a fire escape stair.
Projecting from the left-hand side of the ground floor of the 2-storey block is a single storey brick and basalt lean-to roofed block of crude construction.

North elevation: 2-storey block has roof slated as previous, with walling of stonework, brickwork, and render: roughly coursed basalt rubble with red brick dressings, to right-hand end, with red brick quoins to right-hand extremity; wet dash render to left-hand end with granite quoins to left-hand extremity at top along with a panel of brickwork. Two ground floor windows, later fixed lights and top-hung vent. Two first floor windows, rectangular timber sliding sash, 2 over 2, without horns. Cast iron gutter with pvc downpipe.

North elevation of main gabled hall: roof slated as previous; walling of roughly coursed basalt rubble with red brick eaves course and red brick block dressings to openings and similar quoins to right-hand extremity. Windows are tall timber segmental arched sliding sash, 2 over 2, with horns; second from left has a later doorway below it, containing modern flush doors with a concrete lintel. Projecting from the ground floor is a later single storey flat roofed extension with smooth cement rendered walls, lined and blocked, and modern metal framed windows.

SETTING: The building stands facing directly on to a main street with buildings of no special interest adjacent to it. To the north side is a small enclosed yard approached by a timber gate in a brick and concrete block wall. To the rear is a large service yard for a modern shopping mall, in a separate ownership, and not accessed by these premises.

Historical information

Built in 1868 as the Protestant Hall; architect not known.

References – Primary Sources
1. Datestone of 1868.
2. OS Map 1921, Co Antrim 50.

Secondary Sources
1. G.H. Bassett, The Book of Antrim (Dublin, 1888), p 259 (refers to 'The Antrim Young Men's United Protestant Association' providing liberally for mental culture).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

This is a mid-Victorian building in local stone with yellow brick details. It retains a number of its original exterior features and is of local interest and social importance.