Survey Data
Reg No
20818100
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Social
Previous Name
Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception
Original Use
Church/chapel
In Use As
Church/chapel
Date
1845 - 1850
Coordinates
181810, 112676
Date Recorded
17/10/2006
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Attached three-stage square-plan tower and spire, dated 1847, attached by glazed corridor to replacement church, built c. 1980. Ribbed limestone spire with carved limestone cross finial, pinnacles to corners and castellated parapet. Ashlar limestone to front elevation and all elevations of third stage, having string course between upper stages, with painted roughcast rendered walls to remaining elevations. Inset date plaque and applied clock to front elevation. Tower openings comprising pointed arch window openings with chamfered surrounds, having stained glass and limestone hood-moulding to second stage. Pointed arch carved limestone door surround with hood-moulding, tympanum having stained-glass octofoil flanked by stained-glass sidelights set over pair of square-headed chamfered door openings with paired timber battened doors having cast-iron door furniture, approached by flight of cut limestone steps. Present, recent, church has curved ten-bay entrance front and four-bay nave elevations, with single-pitched artificial slate roof and roughcast rendered walls.
Appraisal
This imposing tower is all that remains of the original Church of the Immaculate Conception, which was built in 1847 and demolished in 1978 and replaced by the present building. The tower is situated on an elevated site and can be seen from almost any point in the town. It displays many fine features such as the timber battened doors with cast-iron door furniture, and finely executed stonework.