Carrowdore & Ballyfrenis Presbyterian Church, Church Walk, Carrowdore, Ballyrawer, Millisle, Newtownards, Co Down, BT22

This is a simple, unassuming gabled Presbyterian church located near the north edge of the small village of Carrowdore, in the townland of Ballyrawer, Newtownards, County Down. Constructed between 1820 and 1839, it was renovated on several occasions throughout its history. A large, modern church hall was later added to the rear, which now detracts from the building’s setting.

The church’s front west gable has a central timber-sheeted entrance door with a pointed arch fanlight featuring many small diamond-shaped leaded lights and a label moulding above. Flanking the doorway are single pointed arch windows, also with similar leaded lights and a label moulding. A roundel window sits above the doorway, interrupting the gable’s moulding, which forms a pediment. A pseudo bellcote tops the gable apex. The north and south facades each feature three pointed arch windows with relatively recent stained glass. The rear gable is largely obscured by the modern hall complex; the visible upper half has two small-ish pointed arch windows with thin glazing bars and recent coloured glass. The entire facade is finished with lined render. The pitched roof is covered with Bangor blue slates and clay 'saw tooth' ridge tiles, with cast iron rainwater goods. Late Victorian wrought iron gates and railings are set in a low rendered wall at the front.

The church, noted in the Ordnance Survey Memoirs of circa 1834 as being capable of accommodating about 300 people, appears to have been sympathetically renovated over time. Records indicate the church amalgamated with that of Ballyfrenis.