Anderson Memorial Hall

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Large gabled hall of 1898 set somewhat clumsily next to Killinchy Presbyterian Church, in a hollow on the NW side of the Craigarusky Road near Balloo hamlet.
Front E facade has a central doorway with panelled double doors with two curved steps and pointed arch fanlight with tracery. The entrance is set within a (mainly) chamfered recess (as are the original windows). Drip moulding above entrance with label stops. To the left of the doorway is a pointed arch window with cill on brackets and drip moulding. Fine glazing bars and tracery to window. To the right of the doorway is a similar window and above the doorway is an inscribed panel with moulding above. Above the panel is a roundel window also with moulding.
The S facade has five pointed arch windows as front, with an inscribed dedication panel between the third and fourth windows. The W gable has a similar arrangement to front but without the doorway and panel and without moulding above windows or brackets to cills.
The N facade is dominated by a large two storey gabled extension which was added c.1974/5 and which has a thoroughly modern appearance with irregularly spaced windows of various shapes and sizes. To the left of this extension (on the original N facade) is a pointed arch window, as other facades.
The facade is finished in lined render and painted. Chamfered plinth to original section. Dentilled eaves course to S facade. The main and extension roofs both have Bangor blue slates. The main roof has stone parapets with ball finials and decorative end brackets. Red clay ridge tiles.
Church to immediate E of hall, graveyard to S.

Historical information

This hall was built in 1898, mainly through the efforts of Rev. William Smyth, who was also responsible for the construction of the boundary wall and a new manse. The panel on the south facade states that the hall was ‘Erected to the memory of James McCann, Carrigullin. Born 1817. Died 1881. For many years a teacher in this Sabbath school. Also his beloved wife Margaret McCann (nee Farrell). Born 1820. Died 1875.’ The name ‘Anderson Memorial Hall’ refers to Rev. David Anderson, a former minister of Killinchy, who died in 1871.
The hall appears to have replaced an earlier building on this general site (presumably where the ‘Sabbath school’ was previously held), which is shown on the OS maps of 1834 and 1859-60. The present building appears to have been extended in c.1974/5.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI OS maps 1st ed. 1834, Co. Down 17.
2 PRONI OS maps 1st rev. 1859-60, Co. Down 17.
3 PRONI T.2277/1 Killinchy Presbyterian Church Session minute book. See also D.2194/2/2.

Secondary sources
1 Rev. David Stewart 'Killinchy Presbyterian Church- History of its origin...' (Belfast 1930), pp.46-47.
2 R.S.J. Clarke 'Gravestone Inscriptions Vol. 6- Barony of Dufferin' (Belfast ?1974), pp.47-59.
3 C.E.B. Brett 'Historic buildings, groups of buildings, areas of architectural importance in the towns and villages of East Down' (UAHS 1973), pp.44-5.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Large gabled hall of 1898 with pointed arch windows, simple detailing and recent two storey extension, whose size and awkward positioning has resulted in its adversely affecting the setting of its older and more important neighbour (the church), to the east.