Helen's Bay Presbyterian Church, Church Road, Helen's Bay, Co Down, BT19 1TP

A double-height rubble stone Presbyterian church with unfinished three-stage tower with spire, of which only the first stage was completed, built c.1896 to designs by Young and Mackenzie with large modern extension to rear, and located in a residential area west of Church Road, Helens Bay. Pitched natural slate roof with raised sandstone verge with kneeler and finial to gable' shallow pyramidal roof to tower. Cast-iron ogee rainwater goods on projecting sandstone eaves. Walling is rubble stone with sandstone dressings and quoins; chamfered plinth and buttresses (west elevation is smooth rendered); vestibule with decorative ashlar block quoins. Windows are paired leaded stained glass lancets with splayed sills in ashlar sandstone surround (unless otherwise stated). The principal east gable has centered geometric bar-tracery window over three small lancet windows; gilded cast-iron clock to apex. The entrance tower abuts to left; Romanesque-styled portal entrance having semi-engaged half columns, bead moulded and dog-tooth pattern Gothic arch with label mould and carved head-stops. Heavy timber-sheeted entrance door with decorative cast-iron hinges and handle. Diminutive lancet window over. South and west elevations have diminutive lancet windows lighting vestibule. The south elevation is four sets of paired windows wide, each separated by buttress with sandstone offsets (right end obscured by tower). The west (rear) elevation is abutted by modern extension (of no interest). The north elevation is detailed as the south elevation. Setting Located in an attractive residential street with houses dating from the early 20th century. Hedgerow and decorative cast-iron entrance gate to front; bound to north and south by hedgerow and timber fencing. Lawned to all sides with paved car-park to south. Roof: Natural slate Walling: Rubble stone Windows: Stained and leaded glass RWG: Cast-iron