RC Church of The Visitation, Killinchy Street, Comber, Co. Down, BT23 5AP

RC Church of The Visitation

This small single-storey Gothic revival church was built between 1868 and 1872, when it was consecrated in September, and stands in tree-lined grounds to the east of Killinchy Street in Comber. It is constructed in snecked sandstone and represents a fine example of Victorian ecclesiastical architecture, despite significant alterations to its interior following an arson attack around 1992.

The church is approached from the south, where a gabled porch projects from the south façade to the left. The porch entrance consists of a pointed arch opening with recessed timber sheeted double doors, enclosed by dressed sandstone surround with label moulding and thin three-quarter column jambs bearing decorative capitals. The east and west faces of the porch each contain a small pointed arch window with dressed sandstone surround and label moulding. The porch features thick buttresses, an eaves course, and a parapet with pedimented corbels and a Celtic cross finial, all beneath a natural slate roof.

The south façade displays five narrow pointed arch windows with small lattice panes, separated by buttresses. Similar windows appear on the north façade, numbering six. An eaves course runs along the south wall. The west gable contains three windows set slightly higher, flanked by buttresses. The two central buttresses continue upward as shallow projecting vertical courses that rise to meet a gabled bellcote at the apex. Beneath the bellcote, a shallow segmental arch is formed where these courses join. Below this arch sits a small roundel or rose window within a sandstone chamfered recess, comprising a central circular pane surrounded by eight smaller circular panes filled with stained glass.

The north façade includes a modern flat-roofed corridor linking to a small octagonal extension with shallow hipped roof and render façade, fitted with four small windows on alternate faces. A flat panel door with steps accesses the corridor from the west, with two small windows on the east face.

The east gable contains three pointed arch windows with stained glass, positioned at high level, with the central window taller than its neighbours. A tiny oval window sits near the gable apex. A recent boiler house projection occupies the base of this façade, with a tall chimney breast constructed in matching sandstone and built against the main wall.

The roof is covered in natural slate with parapets featuring pedimented corbels and Celtic crosses at each gable apex.

Historically, before the church's construction, Comber's Catholic community worshipped in a house on Lower Crescent in the north-east of the town, and prior to around 1850, in the market house which stood near the present church's site. The interior was damaged in an arson attack circa 1992 and subsequently refitted.

The setting comprises a small graveyard to the east of the church and sandstone boundary walling to the north, south, and west. Gates to the west, opening toward the street, are mounted on gabled pillars and feature decorative late Victorian cast iron work.