Holywood Methodist Church, Church Road, Holywood, Co Down

Holywood Methodist Church

A double-height red-brick Methodist church dated 1870, located south of Church Road in Holywood town centre. The building was designed by James Kendall, a local architect, and constructed by contractor Mr Nimick at a cost of £1,553. The foundation stone was laid in December 1870 and the church was formally opened on 17th June 1871.

The rectangular building is constructed of Flemish-bonded red brick with sandstone courses and a chamfered plinth. The pitched roof is covered in natural slate with blue and black angled ridge tiles and a spiked finial to the apex of the gable. Raised sandstone verges with decorative carved pinnacles finish the gable ends. Cast-iron ogee rainwater goods sit on decorative stepped brick eaves.

The principal northeast elevation features a central breakfront dominated by three Gothic-headed windows with the centre window taller than those flanking it. These windows are slender, leaded and stained glass set in recessed brick surrounds with sandstone keyblocks and cut brick at springing level, with sandstone bands to continuous sills. Flanking narrow side bays each contain a single window and a dated roundel; the left reads "AD" and the right reads "1870". The central entrance comprises a pair of replacement timber doors with transom lights set in a double-Gothic-headed ashlar sandstone surround with label moulds having carved stops and ornate finials, supported by semi-engaged colonnettes on chamfered plinths with acanthus leaf capitals. A vented lancet window pierces the gable above.

The southeast elevation is five windows wide with two buttresses featuring sandstone offsets. A single-storey flat-roof porch opens to the southwest, with two windows to its northeast elevation. The southwest gable contains a projecting chimney flue. The northwest elevation is similarly five windows wide with two buttresses having sandstone offsets. An early single-storey porch with a catslip roof stands at the right, featuring a modern timber-sheeted door with sidelight to the right and a segmental-headed window to the northeast elevation.

The church is prominently situated at the corner of Church Road and Church View in Holywood town centre, within a commercial and residential area. A low red-brick boundary wall with masonry caps to the north and west is surmounted by replacement cast-iron railings. Pedestrian and vehicular access points feature red brick gate piers with chamfered plinths and pointed sandstone caps supporting replacement cast-iron gates. A boundary hedge marks the east boundary, with a private lane to the rear. A gravelled car park occupies the front and southeast areas.

The building has been significantly altered since its construction. Originally, a spire projected from the ridge line of the roof, but this was removed in 1874 at the architect's suggestion as it was deemed to be injuring the building. The church was originally entered by two side entrances. A major remodelling took place in 1884–1885 to address complaints about the interior being barn-like with violent draughts and a speaking echo. Changes included lowering the ceiling (subsequently raised again), opening of the present front doorways, closure of the side doors, and introduction of a vestibule. The pair of short side windows over the old entrances were lengthened to match the remaining side-facade windows.

In 1936 an Evans and Barr organ was installed, replacing an earlier 1899 organ by Gray and Davis of London. Alterations to the choir, pulpit and communion rail were also made at this time, and stained glass was fitted in eight windows. In 1966 a new tile floor was fitted in the vestibule and seven ribbed-glass windows at the front and sides were replaced. The building has large extensions to the rear and replacement entrance doors and railings. A Centenary Hall was added to the site in 1971, replacing the original school and sexton's house, and a complete refurbishment of the church buildings was undertaken in the early 1990s.

The site is situated within a conservation area. The Methodist community in Holywood dates from at least 1818, when Primitive Methodists were worshipping in the town. Their first chapel on High Street was not built until 1838. In 1857 the Primitive Methodists joined with the Wesleyan Methodists, who had been active in the town since 1830 and meeting in various hotels and private houses. By 1870, following the amalgamation and population growth, a new church was necessary. The land was purchased from John Harrison of Mertoun Hall. The building first entered valuation records in 1872, valued at £138 with £2 for the yard, and was initially described as a Wesleyan chapel, becoming known as the Methodist Church by 1911.