Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB15/02/051

Address :
St Paul's Church of Ireland Church Annagora Road Portadown Craigavon Co Armagh

Townland:
Grange Lower

---

Survey 2:
B2

Date of Listing:
20/02/2006 00:00:00

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
Church

Former Use
Church

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
No

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
No

Derelict:
No

---

OS Map No:
200/1

IG Ref:
H9520 5382

---

Owner Category

Church - C of I

Exterior Description And Setting

A church in a simple Romanesque style comprising a nave and chancel with shallow transepts forming a vestry and an organ chamber, and a porch at the north-west end of the nave surmounted by a bellcote. Main elevation faces north. Roofs are gabled, of Bangor blue slates in regular courses, with a louvred and copper cupola-capped ventilator on the ridge of the nave. Walls are of snecked basalt rubble with what looks like reconstituted stone quoins and dressings to openings, with a slightly projecting plinth of coursed basalt dressed in chamfered reconstituted stone. Moulded cast iron gutters, and rectangular section cast iron downpipes with trefoil ended fixings. North elevation comprises 5-bay nave with a blind walled chancel extending to the left. Main wall of nave has 3 lancet windows, semi-circular arched containing leaded glazing with decorative coloured tops; block dressed surrounds with chamfered reveals and moulded labels. To the left-hand end is a projecting gabled bay containing a similar window to nave; right-hand wall of projection blind; left-hand wall contains a semi-circular arched doorway which has a timber boarded door with decorative iron hinges, latch and handle, set in stop chamfered reveals; concrete doorstep. To the right-hand end is a projecting gabled bay containing a lancet window in the gable, similar to nave, but surmounted by a shouldered bellcote in dressed stone which has a chamfered semi-circular arched opening containing a large bell. Left-hand wall of projecting bay has a wide semi-circular arched doorway containing a timber boarded door with similarly detailed iron hinges and handle to previous; door set in stop chamfered reveals with torus moulding to the arch; modern handle fixed to left-hand jamb. To the right of the doorway, above plinth, is an inscribed foundation stone. Right-hand side of projecting bay is blind. Extending to the left of the nave is a slightly set-back chancel; blind wall to north. East gable of chancel contains a 3-light window of stained glass, covered with later protective metal grilles; apex of gable contains a cut stone panel containing a quatrefoil opening. South elevation of nave is 5-bay, comprising 4 lancets, as previous, to main wall to left, with a single bay gabled projection to the right. One window, as previous, in gable of projection. To the rear of the projection rising from the main nave wall is a chimney with chamfered cut stone surmounted by a weathered cap. Extending to the right is the slightly set-back chancel containing a small leaded lancet to the south wall. SETTING: The building stands in a rural area, facing the public road but set well back from it, on rising ground, within its own grounds which are shared with a school and hall building (HB15/02/052). Site bounded by hedges and wooden fences; entrance gateway to driveway is comprised of a pair of iron gates set between circular roughcast piers flanked by curving roughcast screen walls. Grounds laid out with grassed areas and a car park. Modern paved area, laid with setts, immediately in front of church with paths skirting church. Later lean-to roofed rendered shed and a modern plastic heating-oil container stand close to the rear of the church.

Architects

Orpen, RC

Historical Information

Built in 1926 to the designs of R.C. Orpen, architect of Dublin; builders, H. Laverty & Sons. Built by the bequest of Robert Francis Cope, of The Manor, Loughgall. Foundation stone laid 24 March 1926; consecrated 25 January 1927. Memorial desk executed by Purdy & Millard of Belfast; bell made by the foundry of Matthew Byrne of Dublin; stained glass window and leaded lights, all by Ward and Partners of Belfast. The church was built as a chapel-of-ease for the parish of Kilmore. Prior to its being built, divine service had taken place in part of the adjacent schoolhouse (HB15/02/052). The font was brought here from this previous location, originally presented by Rev E. Gabbett A.M., in 1871 in memory of his wife Ellen. References – Primary Sources 1. Inscribed foundation stone on building. 2. Inscribed plaque in building. Secondary Sources 1. Irish Builder & Engineer, 5 February 1927, p 70.

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

A. Style B. Proportion C. Ornamentation D. Plan Form I. Quality and survival of Interior J. Setting K. Group value

Historic Interest

V. Authorship Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance X. Local Interest

Evaluation

This is a 20th century church in a Romanesque style designed by an important Irish architect, which retains its original features, and forms a pleasing group with the adjacent school.

General Comments

Date of Survey

31 December 2004