Home | Heritage at Risk in Northern Ireland

Heritage at Risk(v1.0)

Andrew McClelland 03/08/2003 00:00:00

HB Ref No:
HB20/01/013

Address
CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART Staffordstown Road CARGIN TOOMEBRIDGE CO.ANTRIM

Townland:

Status:
Currently at Risk

Listing Grade:
B

HARNI Number:
HARNI 20/01/001

Conservation Area:
No

Condition:
Very Poor

Industrial Archeology:

Occupancy:
Vacant

Vernacular:

Degree of Risk:
Critical

Thatched:
No

Availability:
Unavailable

Monument:

Current Building Use:

Derelict:

Description

'The O.S. Memoirs suggest that this former church at Cargin was built sometime in the mid/1820s, although it was not thought to have been consecrated until 1829. Built from public subscription, at a cost of some 600 pounds, both Lord O’Neill (10 guineas) and General O’Neill (5 guineas) contributed towards the total cost of construction. It is six/bays wide with tall, Y/traceried, Gothic/windows and a central projecting, gabled, two/bay porch with clasping stepped buttresses and bellcote. It now stands idle and vandalised, encircled by the numerous gravestones of the surrounding cemetery, with a new church having been built nearby. The Church is in a poor condition with windows broken and rain watergoods in a state of disrepair. The building has been cordoned off with metal barriers and is in urgent need of repair to prevent further water ingress and deterioration. When reviewed in 2022 it was noted that no improvements have been made to this structure. Although cordoned off there is a risk of vandalism to this site. A plan is desperately needed for this building to reduce further deterioration. When reviewed in 2023 slates from the roof have been removed, this will only further hasten the decline of the building and it seems no attempt at a temporary roof covering has been considered. Refs: MBR O.S. Memoirs of Ireland, Parishes of County Antrim VI, Vol. 19, p. 115