Survey Data
Reg No
20907309
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Social
Original Use
Church/chapel
In Use As
Church/chapel
Date
1830 - 1835
Coordinates
154222, 69375
Date Recorded
19/06/2009
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Freestanding T-plan gable-fronted double-height Roman Catholic church, dated 1831. Three-bay nave with single-bay transepts to north and south with later lean-to porches to east elevations and lean-to sacristy extension to west. Pitched slate roofs with overhanging eaves, having cut limestone eaves course and gable copings. Tooled limestone bellcote and cross finial to front (east) elevation, having uPVC rainwater goods and cast-iron down pipes. Snecked dressed limestone walls with intermittent sandstone blocks, having plinth to front elevation and cut limestone stringcourse at impost level throughout. Round-headed blind arches to windows, having tooled limestone surrounds and voussoirs. Round-headed statuary niches with limestone sills and block-and-start surrounds to front elevation. Tooled limestone fonts with surrounds and entablature. Inscribed date plaque to front elevation. Round-headed window openings with limestone sills throughout, having uPVC casement windows. Stained glass windows to rear elevations of transepts. Square-headed door opening to front elevation, having replacement double-leaf timber battened doors. Square-headed door openings to transept porches, having timber panelled doors. Stucco panelled ceiling to interior. Round-headed recessed panel behind altar, with carved marble altar furniture. Located within own grounds, having square-profile dressed limestone piers to front of site. Set back from road.
Appraisal
This church is in use for regular worship and retains a strong social significance for the people of Ovens. The church was originally built in 1831 and underwent major refurbishment in 1985-6. It is an impressive and imposing Roman Catholic church that retains its grand and splendidly composed façade and many features of interest such as finely carved font, statuary niches and stringcourses adding further to the building's heritage value. Located at a prominent junction this building is a landmark in the surrounding countryside.