Gates, Comber Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church, Mill Street, Comber, Co. Down

Two sets of gates, likely dating to the late 19th century, serve the entrances to the grounds of Comber Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church. One set fronts a pedestrian entrance off Mill Street, while the other serves a vehicle entrance on the north side of High Street, south of the manse.

The vehicle entrance is marked by two square sandstone pillars with pyramidal caps, between which are cast iron gates. Short, low rubble walls, primarily harled, curve around the gate pillars on either side. The pedestrian entrance features two square sandstone pillars with rusticated blocks resting on tall bases and capped with curved details including dentils. Short stretches of rusticated sandstone walling flank the pillars, which support decorative cast iron gates similar to those at the vehicle entrance but with a slightly more complex design. A wrought iron arch with a central lantern globe is attached to the caps of the pillars; this globe once held an electric light bulb, but the cable has been disconnected. The globe is topped with a small cast iron crown. Steps lead to the inner side of the gate screen, with the step below the gate showing significant wear.

The gate screens contribute to the group value of the church, manse, and hall. Records from 1838 – 1971 and an Ordnance Survey map from 1901 support the dating.