Former RC Church

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Derelict small single storey gothick style church of 1845, on the SW side of High Street, set back from the line of the terraces to each side of it, yet somewhat dominated by them.

The front NE gable has a central (now blocked) former pointed doorway with simple stone surround. Metal brackets now attached to former doorway. Directly above the former doorway is an upper pointed arch recess with similar stone surround. This recess rests on a decorative scallop shaped apron panel inscribed ‘Erected A.D. 1845’. To either side of this front facade is a tall narrow, now blocked lancet recess with stone surround. Both of these recesses were once windows. To the gable is a moulded verge and frieze, with corbels at the lower angles. The front facade is finished in lined render and painted. Gable surmounted by a decorative stone cross.

The SE facade is blank and finished in lined render.

The NW facade is also finished in lined render, but had three evenly spaced semicircular headed window openings, now without frames. The two outer openings are taller.

The rear gable is mainly covered in Ivy, and has a window opening set at a high level. Remains of vestry to rear gable.

The roof is gabled and had Bangor blue slates, but a large section of it has now collapsed and what roof timbers that remain have lost much of their slates.

Low rendered wall with simple wrought iron railings in front of church now level with the line of the High Street terraces.

Holy well to rear of church.

This church was abandoned after being damaged in a bomb attack in 1972, however, its overall shell and gothick front facade are still largely intact.

Historical information

This church was built in 1845 with the Rev. McAlea as its first priest. The church remained in use until it was damaged in a terrorist bomb attack in 1972. Since then the building has lain derelict.

A well to the rear of the church is said to have possessed healing qualities and was probably in use in medieval times.

References- Primary sources

1. PRONI OS Maps 1st rev. 1858-60, Co. Down 3.
2. PRONI 2nd (‘Griffith’s’) valuation, Donaghadee parish, Donaghadee, 1863.

Secondary sources

1. Hugh Dixon et al Historic buildings, groups of buildings, buildings of architectural importance in Donaghadee and Portpatrick (UAHS 1977), pp.14-15.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Small gothick church of 1845 set back from the main terrace in High Street and somewhat dominated by the buildings around it. This church is now derelict and partly open to the elements, but with much of its front facade still intact.