Survey Data
Reg No
22903029
Rating
National
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Social, Technical
Previous Name
Carriglea Convent
Original Use
Church/chapel
In Use As
Church/chapel
Date
1910 - 1920
Coordinates
220811, 93475
Date Recorded
05/01/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached eight-bay single- and two-storey Catholic chapel, c.1915, comprising eight-bay double-height nave with single-bay single-storey flanking bays with half-attics, four-bay single-storey lean-to side aisles to north-east and to south-west, three-bay single-storey sacristy to north-east, and three-bay single-storey chapel to south-west. Pitched slate roof (hipped to flanking bays behind parapets; lean-to to side aisles; pitched to sacristy and to chapel) with decorative clay ridge tiles, cut-stone coping to gables having gabled bellcote to apex to south-east (stepped buttress base supporting profile-headed opening with cast-iron bell, cut-stone profiled coping to gable, and cross finial to apex), cross finials to apexes to remainder, and profiled cast-iron rainwater goods on cut-stone eaves having corbels. Sandstone ashlar walls with full-height polygonal corner piers to nave extending into limestone ashlar panelled pinnacles on paired stringcourses having moulded capping with finials, moulded dressings to gable, cut-sandstone battlemented corner piers to flanking bays terminating battlemented parapets, cut-sandstone battlemented corner piers to north-west, to sacristy, and to chapel. Pointed-arch window openings to nave (forming clere-storey) and to side aisles with cut-sandstone surrounds having chamfered reveals, and cut-sandstone mullions forming paired trefoil-headed openings with quatrefoil to arch. Pointed-arch window openings to south-east (entrance) and to north-west (chancel) with cut-stone block-and-start surrounds having chamfered reveals, cut-stone mullions and tracery (forming four-light trefoil-headed arrangement to south-east, and five-light trefoil-headed arrangement to north-west with quatrefoils to arches), and hood mouldings over supporting cut-stone voussoirs. Pointed-arch window openings to flanking bays with cut-stone block-and-start surrounds having chamfered reveals, cut-stone mullions and tracery (forming paired trefoil-headed arrangement with overlights), and cut-stone voussoirs over. Paired trefoil-headed window openings to half-attic with cut-stone block-and-start surrounds having chamfered reveals. Trefoil-headed window opening to sacristy (some in tripartite arrangement) with cut-stone block-and-start surrounds having chamfered reveals. Fixed-pane leaded stained glass windows to all window openings. Pointed-arch door opening to south-east with two cut-stone steps, cut-stone block-and-start surround having moulded chamfered reveal, hood moulding over supporting cut-stone voussoirs, and timber panelled double doors having decorative wrought iron hinges. Pointed-arch door opening to sacristy with cut-stone block-and-start surround having chamfered reveal, and timber panelled door having wrought iron hinges. Full-height interior open into roof with glazed timber panelled internal porch supporting gallery to first floor to south-east, timber floor to central aisle in herring-bone pattern, carved timber pews, pointed-arch arcade to side aisles on polished posts having foliate capitals, moulded soffits with hood mouldings over on consoles, decorative Gothic-style fittings to altar, groin vaulted ceiling having moulded plasterwork ribs extending down into clustered colonettes on consoles, and coffered ceilings to side aisles having round relieving arches supported by consoles. Set back from road in grounds shared with Bon Sauveur Convent.
Appraisal
A very fine and monumental chapel, built to designs prepared by William Henry Byrne (1844 – 1917) as part of the development of the Carriglea House estate to accommodate the Bon Sauveur Convent. The church is successfully integrated into the site through the use of features referring to the main house (22903005/WD-30-05), including a construction in sandstone ashlar together with architectural motifs such as polygonal and battlemented corner piers. Well maintained, the chapel presents an early aspect both to the exterior and to the interior. A particularly rich internal scheme emphasises the importance of the chapel incorporating fine timber joinery and decorative plasterwork, stained glass panels of artistic design merit, and arcaded aisles and a groin-vaulted ceiling that are of technical engineering importance. The chapel, together with the adjacent house, presents an imposing feature in the landscape, and contributes significantly to the character of the locality.