Survey Data
Reg No
41302005
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Social
Original Use
Church/chapel
In Use As
Church/chapel
Date
1785 - 1890
Coordinates
267494, 335338
Date Recorded
02/05/2012
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Freestanding four-bay Presbyterian church, built 1788, and remodelled 1846 and 1886, having recessed single-bay gabled blocks to each end, that to north having gabled porch to west elevation. Pitched slate roofs with cut-stone copings and cast-iron rainwater goods. Roughcast rendered walls with render quoins and plinth. Pointed-arch window openings with chamfered painted surrounds and having Y-tracery timber windows with stained glass. Short pointed window to upper north gable with plain glass. Pointed doorway to porch with chamfered painted surround and double-leaf timber battened door with decorative strap hinges. Square-headed doorway to south end having chamfered surround and replacement timber battened door. Interior has gallery over north end with carved front supported on cast-iron columns. Carved timber pews, smooth plastered ceiling, carved timber pulpit, baptismal font, table and organ to south end, and timber wainscoting to lower parts of walls. Stairs to gallery partly supported on decorative cast-iron brackets, and newel post is decoratively carved. Church set in lawned grounds with graveyard, Murdoch Memorial Hall, lodge and decorative double-leaf cast-iron gate set to rubble limestone piers and walls.
Appraisal
The simple and unadorned exterior of this church is in keeping with the basic nature of the buildings associated with Presbyterianism. The interior somewhat belies the exterior appearance, having many carved timber features. Decorative quality is also evident in the stained-glass windows and the marble wall plaques. The church forms part of an interesting group of associated structures at Ballyalbany.