Greenisland Presbyterian Church

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Attached single-cell double-height Presbyterian Church, dated 1940, and modern hall (c.2000) located to the west side of Upper Road. Rectangular nave with chancel to west and single-storey porch to east; square two-stage tower to south-east.

Roof is pitched natural slate behind parapet, flat roof to porch and tower; chimneystack to west. Walling is Flemish bonded red brick with V-shaped buttresses between windows. Windows are replacement uPVC square-headed casements with aluminium sills.

Principal elevation faces east. Gable-end of nave comprises, at upper level, three-order rebated opening with soldier-coursed head, containing large window surmounted by four brick relief motifs. Ground floor is abutted by porch containing three windows at centre; canted entrance bay at right comprises rebated opening with brick voussoirs containing modern double-leaf timber doors with glazed lights. Porch abutted at left by square tower with corner buttresses; three-order rebated opening with chamfered sandstone lintel surmounted by sandstone bas relief panel (burning bush motif, dated 1940); entrance door as before. Belfry stage of tower contains two narrow louvred openings.

South elevation consists of five-bay nave (each bay separated by buttresses); pair of windows to each of the three central bays. Right bay contains drainage opening at parapet level. Abutted at right by tower containing window at ground and first floor and three narrow louvred openings at belfry stage; tower abutted at left by double-height return containing two windows at ground floor and single window at first floor.

West elevation is abutted by canted chancel with further canted projection. Abutted at ground floor by hall.

North elevation is detailed as south. Abutted at right by single-storey link block to hall. Abutted at left by porch containing pair of windows to west. North elevation of tower contains three louvered openings at Belfry stage.

Set within modern churchyard with attached hall to west, constructed in the style of the church, of no interest. Accessed from Upper Road at east by entrance framed by square brick pillars with concrete coping and bounded by further brick pillars connected by steel chains.

Roof: Natural slate
Walling: Flemish bonded red brick
Windows: Replacement uPVC square-headed casement windows with aluminium sills
RWG: Cast-iron half-round gutters and round downpipes

Historical information

In 1912 Knockagh Hall, a hall of timber construction, was opened on Upper Road to provide a space for worship for the increasing population of Greenisland. It was created by the Church Extension Committee under the care of Whiteabbey Congregation.

According to the church website: "The first meeting to consider the erection of a proper church building was held in 1935. Land almost opposite the Knockagh Hall on the other side of the road was obtained from the Golf Club. Four foundation stones were laid on 6 April 1940 by Sir Joseph McConnell, Bt, DL, MP; Rt Hon John F Gordon, MP; Mrs Jane Shannon; and Mrs Agnes H Wallace. (The latter two were founder members of the congregation.) The church was opened on 6 September 1941 by Miss Emma Roome, another founder member." The church was designed by Gamble and Maxwell and seated 400 people. Building was carried out by James Moreland, Belfast (Irish Architectural Archive).

A church hall was opened in 1964 on the site of the Knockagh Hall. The adjacent manse was built in 1970, and the modern hall in 1982.

References

Secondary Sources:
1. Greenisland Presbyterian Church Website - http://www.gpc.utvinternet.com/history.html
2. Irish Architectural Archive. “Dictionary of Irish Architects” [Internet Source] Available from:
Accessed 12/05/09.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Greenisland Presbyterian Church is a handsome interwar church in brick with understated modernist detailing having a geometric emphasis. Although there is a contemporary extension, its effects are confined to the rear and the main elements of the church remain intact. The plain exterior is enlivened by a particularly attractive stone panel which is of artistic merit. The interior exhibits simple finishes and restrained use of materials which is characteristic of this period of church building; however there are some notably attractive features such as the pew ends and door handles, and the whole is well-preserved. The church occupies a prominent roadside location under Knockagh War Memorial, and is of local interest.