Survey Data
Reg No
13901908
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social
Previous Name
Saint Columkille's Catholic Church
Original Use
Church/chapel
In Use As
Church/chapel
Date
1865 - 1870
Coordinates
312395, 289704
Date Recorded
21/07/2005
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached stone Gothic Revival Roman Catholic church, built 1866. Basilica plan, seven-bay two-storey nave elevation with single-storey lean-to aisles to east and west, three-bay single-storey sacristy attached to south-east, four-stage square-plan bell tower with octagonal spire attached to south-west; single-storey boiler house to south elevation c. 1960. Pitched slate roofs, terracotta ridge tiles, ashlar limestone corbelled chimneystack on rectangular base to sacristy, gabled lucarnes and ball finial to spire, lead apron flashing to abutment of aisles with nave, cut limestone fractables, carved limestone crosses to north and south gables, moulded cast-iron gutters on limestone corbels. Uncoursed random rubble walling, limestone ashlar stepped diagonal and angle corner buttresses terminating in gabled pinnacles, limestone ashlar quoins to sacristy, unpainted ruled-and-lined smooth rendered walling to south elevation. Pointed-arch window openings to aisles and north and south fronts, block-and-start limestone surrounds, chamfered reveals; twin and single-light cusped lancet windows to north elevation on lower storey, limestone hood mouldings; four-light window with geometrical limestone tracery and hood moulding to north elevation on upper storey; paired lancet windows to aisles; three cusped lancet windows to south elevation; quatrefoil windows with limestone ashlar surrounds to clerestory; leaded lights with diamond-paned stained glass, figurative stained glass to south window; twin mullioned lancets with roundel over in gabled fourth stage to tower, painted timber louvres. Pointed arch door openings to all four elevations, chamfered limestone surrounds in multiple orders, limestone hood moulding to north door, painted timber vertically-sheeted doors, limestone flagstone thresholds. Church set back from road in own grounds; entrance gates to north with carved limestone piers, limestone rubble quadrant walls, limestone ashlar copings and cast-iron gates and railings; rubble built Marian grotto, dated 1919, to north-west. Church bears limestone date plaque to north elevation with inscription "The first stone of this church dedicated to St Columkille was laid by Patrick Lord Bellew on the 9th day of June 1866".
Appraisal
Designed by architect John Murray, this is an excellent example of the Gothic Revival style adopted by many Roman Catholic church architects in the late nineteenth century. The stone was sourced locally at Clogherhead. Restrained use of detailing and fine masonry add harmony and refinement to what is an imposingly proportioned structure, and a handsome entrance gateway is also of note adding to the architectural value of the site. As a local parish church this building is also of considerable social importance.