Survey Data
Reg No
31310016
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social, Technical
Original Use
Church/chapel
In Use As
Church/chapel
Date
1830 - 1840
Coordinates
119480, 276321
Date Recorded
15/01/2013
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached four-bay double-height Catholic church, built 1835; extant 1838, on a cruciform plan comprising two-bay double-height nave opening into single-bay (single-bay deep) double-height transepts centred on single-bay double-height chancel to crossing (east). Reconstructed, ----, producing present composition. Pitched slate roof on a cruciform plan with clay ridge tiles terminating in Cross finial to apex (east), and concealed rainwater goods in overhanging eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Cement rendered walls on cement rendered battered plinth. Lancet "Trinity Windows" in square-headed recesses, drag edged dragged cut-limestone surrounds having chamfered reveals framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having stained glass margins. Segmental-headed door openings to transepts with drag edged dragged cut-limestone surrounds having chamfered reveals framing diagonal timber boarded double doors having overlights. Lancet "Trinity Windows" to gables with drag edged dragged cut-limestone surrounds having chamfered reveals framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having stained glass margins centred on leaded stained glass panels. Lancet "Trinity Window" to chancel (east) with drag edged dragged cut-limestone surrounds having chamfered reveals framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having stained glass margins centred on leaded stained glass panels. Hipped segmental-headed door opening to entrance (west) front in pointed-arch recess with concrete mullions framing diagonal timber boarded double doors having sidelights. Pointed-arch window opening to gable with concrete mullions framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having stained glass margins centred on leaded stained glass roundel. Set in relandscaped grounds with reclaimed[?] dragged cut-limestone cylindrical piers to perimeter having fluted capitals below shallow pyramidal capping supporting cast-iron double gates.
Appraisal
A church representing an integral component of the ecclesiastical heritage of south County Mayo with the architectural value of the composition, 'a good building erected in 1835…and decorated with a painting of the crucifixion' (Lewis 1837 I, 232), suggested by such attributes as the cruciform plan form, aligned along a liturgically-correct axis; and the slender profile of the "Trinity Windows" underpinning a "medieval" Gothic theme: meanwhile, aspects of the composition, in particular the denuded roofline stripped of its eye-catching bellcote, clearly illustrate the near-total reconstruction of the church to a design attributable to Edward Raphael Ryan (fl. 1933-64) of Galway (cf. 31311202). Having been well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the historic or original fabric, both top the exterior and to the interior where Mondrian-esque stained glass highlights the modest artistic potential of the composition. An adjacent graveyard contributing positively to the group and setting values of the church features a collection of markers of artistic interest with a "spirelet" monument dedicated to the Blakes of nearby Towerhill House (see 31310018) including Major Maurice Blake DL (1771-1847); Valentine O'Connor Blake JP DL (d. 1879), one-time High Sheriff of County Mayo (fl. 1839); Colonel Maurice Charles Joseph Blake JP DL (1837-1915), one-time High Sheriff of County Mayo (fl. 1864); and Captain Valentine Joseph Blake (1866-1947), one-time High Sheriff of County Mayo (fl. 1916).