Abbots Cross Presbyterian Church

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A detached brick Presbyterian Church with Art Deco detailing, built 1956, and located on the east side of Doagh Road, immediately to the north of Abbots Cross Garden Village. Gable fronted rectangular on plan, facing south; projecting single storey flat roofed vestibule fronting south gable; single storey hall attached by link block to north-east.

Pitched natural slate roof, raised gables with fractable on stepped brick kneelers; boxed eaves with cast-iron U-profile gutters and square downpipes. Walling in English Garden wall bonded red brick over projecting plinth with concrete dressings. Windows are round-headed margined multi-paned with inset top-hung casement (unless otherwise stated); chamfered cast concrete sills and brick voussoirs

Symmetrical gable fronted, abutted by single storey vestibule. The exposed upper section is dominated by central Art Deco style double breakfront inset with a two-order rebated window opening; stepped keyblocked surround, platband at springing level. The vestibule consists of a central projecting entrance set in raised rectangular breakfront flanked by blank side walls with returning walls angled to meet outer corners of main block. Entrance consists of a rectangular-headed entrance set in projecting Art Deco banded concrete surround; door is double-leaf stained timber sheet with inset square glazed panel to each leaf. Angled side walls each have two small square timber framed windows.

West elevation is six windows wide with flat roofed projecting porch to south end. Porch contains deeply recessed entrance door (as before); surround is blocked cast concrete with keyblock. Applied vinyl lettering, ‘Abbots Cross Presbyterian Church’.

North gable is abutted by a wider single storey flat roofed utility block with brick parapet. The exposed upper section has a canted apse with further central projection rising to tall brick chimney. The utility block has a further small rectangular extension to right end (thus making the road facing elevation symmetrical); north elevation consists of variety of timber framed casements with brick reveals, symmetrically arranged. Cast-iron railings enclose steps to basement.

The east elevation is detailed as west.

Hall extension is later, with pitched artificial slate roof and red brick walling, attached to main block by glazed and brick link block.

Setting

The church is set with the west elevation facing road, separated by a low box hedge and grass lawn. Tarmac parking area to south, accessed by double cast-iron gate on brick piers with matching pedestrian access gate immediately to left. The north is a two storey manse, detailed as church. Roof is hipped natural slate, walling is red brick (stretcher bond), windows are original timber casements; recessed timber framed door with large glazed panel and chamfered banded cast concrete Art Deco surround.

Roof: Pitched natural slate
Walling: Red brick, precast concrete dressings
Windows: Timber multi-paned, round-headed
Rainwater goods: Cast-iron U-profile

Historical information

The current Abbot’s Cross Presbyterian Church occupies a densely populated urban area adjacent to Abbots Cross Garden Village, which was laid out in 1949. The Abbot’s Cross Presyterian congregation initially gathered in a ‘Church Extension’ prefabricated Nissen hut, which was erected on the site in 1952. Mr Henry Magill was the first minister here; at the time of opening he was a theological student, and was ordained in Abbot’s Cross on 22 January 1953. The congregation soon outgrew the temporary structure and the foundation stone of the new church was laid in August, 1956. The Church was opened for worship by the Moderator, Rt Rev. Dr. T.M. Barker, on 9th March 1957. The new church hall was added shortly thereafter, in 1964.

The area has an ancient ecclesiastical history, situated close to the site of the old White Abbey, which was founded c.1200, and after which the townland is named. The last remains of the Abbey were demolished in 1890. The church itself is named for the nearby estate of Abbotscroft.

References:

Secondary Sources

1. Presbyterian Historical Society Congregations Project. [Internet Source]
Available from: Accessed 10/10/08

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A detached brick Presbyterian Church with Art Deco detailing, built 1956. Abbot’s Cross Presbyterian Church is a well preserved mid-twentieth century brick church with Art Deco detailing. Although the detailing is of earlier vintage, the materials place the church firmly in the mid century, particularly the use of cast-concrete detailing and the portal frame structure. The symmetry of the exterior is carried through to the internal spaces. The church is almost contemporary with and set adjacent to the planned Abbot’s Cross Estate. However, it is a late and archaic example of the type and not among the best examples of mid Twentieth century church architecture.