Survey Data
Reg No
50080970
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social
Previous Name
Donore Presbyterian Church
Original Use
Church/chapel
In Use As
Mosque
Date
1875 - 1885
Coordinates
314520, 232545
Date Recorded
03/01/2014
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Attached Gothic Revival gable-fronted former Presbyterian church, built 1880-1881, with four-bay nave, now in use as mosque. Pitched slate roof with cut sandstone barge copings and recent crescent finial to front (north) gable. Snecked rock-faced granite walls with ashlar sandstone string courses to north gable, and stepped buttresses to east and west elevations. Pointed arch window openings with twin light lancet windows, sandstone surrounds and sloping sandstone sills to nave. Rose window set in pointed arch ashlar sandstone surround, having hood moulding, sloping sill and stained glass window to north elevation. Trefoil-headed window openings to north gable, having chamfered limestone surrounds and sills, and leaded stained glass windows. Pointed arch door opening to east elevation flanked by carved limestone and sandstone colonnettes approached by granite steps, with timber battened door having inset sandstone tympanum. Pointed arch door opening with sandstone quoins, granite steps and timber battened door to west elevation. Interior having timber Minbar and Mihrab to east elevation, timber gallery to west. Former chancel arch to south, with render hood moulding. Stained glass windows. Exposed roof timbers. Set in own grounds, with cast-iron railings on granite plinth to north and east. Five-bay single-storey former school building to south elevation, built c.1891, recently substantially rebuilt.
Appraisal
The simple form of this former Presbyterian church is enhanced by the retention of many original features and materials. It was designed by the architect William Stirling and built by J. & W. Beckett. The rock-faced elevations were clearly executed by skilled craftsmen and the red sandstone details enliven the façade and contrast with the rock-faced granite. In use as a mosque since the 1980s, an east-facing gallery and mihrab have been added to the interior. A former manse, now in use as an Islamic administrative and information centre, is located immediately to the east.