Survey Data
Reg No
14918008
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Social
Original Use
Church/chapel
Date
1870 - 1910
Coordinates
244264, 224203
Date Recorded
13/10/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached Catholic church, built in 1837, with four-bay nave, three-stage tower to west and sacristy to east. Destroyed by fire in February 2003. Located in Ballinagar village. Rendered walls with limestone quoins. Three-stage pinnacled tower with castellated parapet, louvered belfry and limestone string courses. Pointed-arched window openings with chamfered limestone reveals and remains of transitional switch tracery. Oculus to tower. Pointed-arched door openings to tower with limestone surround, label stops and a timber door.
Appraisal
Although Saint Joseph's Catholic Church burnt in February 2003, and its roof and interior fittings and fixtures were lost, the pinnacled tower and walls of the church survive. Built in 1837, Saint Joseph's replaced a thatched chapel that stood on this site and served the local community during Penal times. The local community in Ballinagar and surrounding area plan to rebuild their church in 2005. Though the loss of so much of the original fabric of the church is detrimental to its character and architectural importance, the survival of the tower is significant. The pinnacles surmounting the tower are the churches most striking feature while the limestone dressing to the tower and pointed-arched openings and oculus are decorative elements that contribute an artistic to the church.