Survey Data
Reg No
13833004
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Historical, Social
Original Use
Church/chapel
Date
1835 - 1840
Coordinates
313598, 317375
Date Recorded
18/07/2005
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Freestanding former Church of Ireland church, dated 1838, now being converted for residential use. Three-bay nave, three-stage pinnacled square tower centrally located at west end, single-bay chancel to east end with lean-to vestry projecting from south side. Pitched slate roofs, clay ridge tiles to main church, cast-iron ridge tiles to chancel and vestry dormer, granite verges on corbelled springers to chancel and vestry, cast-iron gutters on drive-in brackets on stone eaves corbel course, circular cast-iron downpipes. Unpainted roughcast rendered walling to nave and tower, moulded granite strings between stages of tower, crenellated parapet to tower with central slits and gables pinnacles to corners; coursed rubble walling to chancel and vestry, ashlar granite block-and-start quoins, upper section of chancel gable smooth rendered. Pointed arch window openings, painted smooth render chamfered surrounds with hood mouldings to nave, painted stone flush splayed sills, windows removed; pointed arch openings to tower, painted stone splayed reveal to windows in first and second stages, hood moulding to west window lower stage, painted stone flush splayed sills, cast-iron diamond-paned fixed lights; pointed arch belfry openings to tower, splayed ashlar granite dressings, flush splayed sills, hood mouldings, unpainted timber louvres; pointed arch lancet tripartite window to chancel, splayed ashlar granite surrounds, splayed sills, diamond-pane cast-iron fixed lights (central panel missing). Pointed arch door opening to south side of tower, inscribed splayed granite ashlar reveals turning out to square at base, granite hood moulding, woodgrain timber double doors each with six panels, matching overpanel, granite approach steps; square-headed door opening to vestry with corbelled head, splayed ashlar granite reveals, vertically-sheeted timber door with wrought-iron strap hinges, approached by steps with granite string with wrought- and cast-iron balustrade to south. Set in grounds, tight against north boundary, graveyard with vertical grave markers, gravel paths, rubble stone boundary wall to road, ashlar granite gate piers, wrought-iron gates with cast-iron embellishments, wrought-iron overthrow, carpark on lower ground to east.
Appraisal
This typical Board of First Fruits church is of historic and social interest for its connections with the Church of Ireland population of Omeath which would appear to have declined to such an extent that the church has fallen out of use. Architecturally the church follows the standard Board of First Fruits style although the chancel and vestry is a later addition by Welland Gillespie. Ashlar granite stonework particularly on the tower and around the tower parapet is of high quality. Further social and historic interest is provided by the fine range of grave markers.