First Presbyterian Church

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Plain gabled single storey (Non-subscribing) Presbyterian church of 1860 with dry dash façade and pointed arch windows. The building is set on a slight rise on the south west side of the Newtownards Road (near the intersection with Main Street), Greyabbey.

The NW gable front is symmetrical and has a small central plain sheeted timber double entrance door, set in a pointed (gothic) arch opening with chamfered stone surround. Directly above this is a pointed arch window opening containing timber frame with ‘Y’ tracery and many small Georgian-like panes. Simple surround to window with ‘in and out’ dressings and keystone. Single similar, but taller, window to either side of entrance. Plaque above upper level window reads 'BUILT 1688/REBUILT1860.'

The NE facade has three similar tall windows, there are three to the SW elevation and two to the SE gable. The windows to the SW facade have much more simple surrounds than the rest, without ‘in and out’ dressings.

Church finished in pebbledash render with chamfered plinth to all elevations bar the SW (the SW elevation appears to have been renovated recently and the pebbledash does not exactly match the other walls). Roof pitched with Bangor blue slates. Cast iron rw goods.

Rubble wall with wrought iron gates and railings to NW, NE and SE of church. Unusual ventilation feature below cill of windows to front and NE facade.

Historical information

This church was built in 1860, largely through the efforts of the Rev. William Hall. It was built roughly on the site of an earlier cruciform church, reputed to have been constructed in 1688. The Manse to the SE of the church was built in 1862, also by Rev. Hall.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI VAL/2B/3/4 Second valuation, Greyabbey, c.1859
2 PRONI VAL/2D/3/10 Second valuation plan, Greyabbey, 1859
3 PRONI OS/6/3/11/2 Ordnance Survey Maps, 1st Revision, c.1860 Co. Down 11
4 PRONI VAL/2B/3/4 Second valuation, Greyabbey, c.1859
5 PRONI VAL/2D/3/10 Second valuation plan, Greyabbey, 1859
6 PRONI VAL/12B/23/16a-f Annual valuation revision books, Greyabbey, 1866-1930
7 Photograph showing the First Presbyterian Church manse in c.1885 [Original in possession of the First Presbyterian Church, Greyabbey.]
8 PRONI VAL/12E/99/1 Valuation plan, Greyabbey, 1906-35
9 UFTM W.A. Green Collection WAG 3038 Photograph of Main Street Greyabbey looking south west

Secondary sources
1 Bob Trayte, "The Greyabbey and village" in 'Journal of the Upper Ards Historical Society No.16' (1992), pp.2-4

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
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance

Evaluation

Plain gabled single storey (Non-subscribing) Presbyterian church of 1860 with dry dash façade and pointed arch windows.