Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB16/02/005

Address :
Pratt Memorial Church (C of I) Carrigenagh Rd Kilkeel Newry Co Down BT34 4PZ

Townland:
Carrigenagh

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Survey 2:
B1

Date of Listing:
14/08/1981 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

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OS Map No:
279/9

IG Ref:
J3204 1843

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Owner Category

Church - C of I

Exterior Description And Setting

Picturesque Arts and Crafts style rectangular hall church prominently situated on corner of road junction. Steeply pitched natural slate roof with deep overhanging eaves with exposed rafter tails and sarking boards. Cast iron rainwater goods. Two tall chimneys of squared granite rubble with oversailing granite caps. One has chamfered sides and is in angle made by porch with front pitch of church roof, the other at junction with vestry roof at rear. Walls are of rock-faced squared granite rubble set in strap pointed regular courses, with angled buttress at both ends of west gable (to main road). All windows are metal-framed side-hung casements and are cased in smoothly dressed granite unless otherwise stated. At centre of west (gable) elevation is a pair of tall 36-pane windows flanked by a 15- pane window on each side. Small plain window in apex of this gable, with intruder alarm at left. Church name board at right reads ‘Church of Ireland Cargenagh Church Kilkeel Parish’. South elevation (to minor road) has projecting gabled porch to left end of similar roof and wall construction to main block. Overhanging roof supported on granite corbel blocks. Flat-headed granite lintel to entrance bears interlocked alpha and omega symbols above inscription reading ‘Pratt Memorial 1889’. Two metal frame windows on left cheek of porch (this wall is a continuation of the west gable). Two steps lead up to double leaf sheeted timber door. Along facade to right of porch are three pairs of 15-paned windows. On the east gable are three tall 30-pane windows and also a small plain light in apex. On rear façade, a vestry return abuts at left. Of similar roof and wall construction to main block. Entrance door on left cheek, with a sheeted timber door. Two double-glazed PVC windows in original openings on right cheek of vestry. On main wall to right of vestry are two and a half pairs of 15-pane windows as front elevation; also an identical single window to left. Grounds enclosed at front and side by strap-pointed and regularly coursed squared granite rubble wall with oversailing copings. Decorative wrought-iron gate along main road side, leading to main entrance.

Architects

Clarke, Max

Historical Information

Erected as a meeting hall in 1889 to commemorate a former rector of Christ Church, Kilkeel from 1883 to 1887. Designed by Max Clarke ARIBA (2 John St, Bedford Row, London). Erected by Thomas Grills (Kilkeel) for £345 (agreement signed 6 Dec 1888, with completion on 1 May 1889). Architect’s drawings dated October 1888 show the original conception to have included a ventilator on the roof apex, red tiles, and limestone lintel over the porch – none of these particular design features were implemented. Around 1910, the hall was consecrated for use as a church. This entailed the building of the vestry and insertion of a raised platform from the communion table. Radiant heaters were added in 1958. The font was brought from a church in Dublin some 40 years ago. The roof was slated about five years ago. Note on Max Clarke: Born Munich, Germany, 1851. Articled to Charles John Phipps (1835-97). Assistant and clerk of works for theatres in Cork and Sadler’s Wells. Member of ARIBA 1880, lecturer and member of AA, member of Society of Engineers, and Freemason. Died 1938. Primary Sources: 1. Frank Charleton, 47 Mountain Rd, Kilkeel (a Vestry member of Kilkeel church, he has in his possession the original architect’s drawings showing the plan, all four elevations, longitudinal and transverse sections, and window detailing; also the building specifications, agreement with contractor and tenders submitted – one by David Mahood, who built Newry Town Hall). 2. A. Felstead, J. Franklin and L. Pinfield, ‘Directory of British Architects, 1834-1900’, p.177 (London: Mansell).

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

A. Style B. Proportion I. Quality and survival of Interior

Historic Interest

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

Evaluation

High quality church hall used for worship. Designed in the arts and crafts style in the local granite tradition. Original detailing survives in excellent condition.

General Comments

Date of Survey

22 July 1997