Masonic Hall, 2 Church Square, Banbridge, Co Down, BT32 4AT

A symmetrical two-storey three-bay Masonic Hall with undercroft in the classical style to designs by Edward Gardner; built c.1848 as a Presbyterian Church and converted for use as a Masonic Hall c.1893. Rectangular plan with flat-roof extension to southwest (of no interest). Roof covering not visible from street level; pediments to gables and rendered chimneystack. Cast-iron ogee rainwater goods on projecting eaves with cast-iron hoppers and downpipes. Walling is painted smooth render on a contrasting plinth. Windows are mainly infilled; those to principal elevation are multi-paned timber casements; round-arched with apron panels to first floor all in double-height moulded surrounds; projecting painted sills to ground floor windows. The principal elevation faces southeast and is three openings wide at each floor; flanked by corner pilasters and surmounted by plain entablature and corniced pediment. To centre of pediment is an oculus with leaded-and-stained glass window bearing the Masonic square and compass. Pediment is topped by a carved lion on a granite plinth. To centre at ground floor is a replacement double-leaf eight-panelled timber door withsquare-headed overlight; flanked by half-engaged pilasters and framed by a moulded architrave. The southwest elevation is five windows wide (two to centre are infilled and rendered); abutted at ground floor and basement by the flat-roof extension. The northwest elevation has an infilled oculus to pediment and a double-height leaded-and-stained glass window with secondary glazing over; to basement is a four-paned uPVC window insertion to right and a narrow uPVC window to left. The northeast elevation is five infilled windows wide; modern fire exit door to first and ground floor leads to abutted metal staircase. Basement has modern fire exit door to left and four replacement windows. Setting Prominently sited to the centre of Church Square, flanked by the former police barracks (HB17/04/003) to west and Seapatrick Parish Church (HB17/04/001) to east. Sergeant’s house for the police barracks to rear. Set back from the street with rubble stone boundary wall having dressed granite coping stones and modern metal gates flanked by square granite gate piers with instepped dressed granite caps. Roof: Slate Walling: Smooth render Windows: Timber and uPVC RWG: Cast-iron