Mission Hall, 23 Altmover Road, Dungiven, Co Londonderry, BT47 4QD

Mission Hall, 23 Altmover Road, Dungiven

This building is a former single-classroom school, originally established by the Kildare Place Society and later taken over by the National Board of Education. It has survived largely unchanged in form and has been adapted for use as a mission hall, demonstrating the adaptability of its simple structure. The building remains of local historical importance and continues to serve the community.

The Mission Hall is a small, single-storey structure with a slated gabled roof. The north side features a shallow projecting porch with a sheeted door and corrugated iron lean-to roof, flanked by two single square sash windows of four panes each. At the south-west end there is a lean-to projection without windows, also with a corrugated iron roof tucked under the main eaves. An entrance door on the east side of this projection is sheeted and fitted with a sheeted or shuttered sidescreen. The east gable is plain without windows or barges, with smooth rendering finishing flush against the slated edge. The south side has four square sliding sash windows of four panes, evenly spaced along the wall. The north gable is plain without windows. All walls are rendered smooth and unpainted. The main roof is laid with natural slates and has no chimneys. Half-round metal guttering with a single downpipe runs along each long wall.

The building is sited in a secluded location near Hollow Bridge and a former scutching mill. A small burn or stream flows close to the south side, and a laneway (former road) runs along the north side.

A school called Drum was established on this site in 1819 with support from the Kildare Street Society. According to Reverend William McHinch, the first Presbyterian Minister in Dungiven, the school was established in 1828 in continuation of an earlier school formed under the Kildare Place Society. The single-classroom school was reopened on 1 July 1844 after a period of vacancy. At this reopening, a new floor was fitted, windows were reglazing, the roof was partially repaired, and the building was whitewashed—changes marking its transition to use as a National School. The school became known as Ballyhargan National School (District No. 3, Register No. 4145), though it was more commonly called the Hollow School, being located at the lower end of Altmover Glen. William Osborne was patron of the school in 1844, followed by his son, and later by the father of the present owner in 1920. Osborne lived nearby at Ballyharigan House, now called Altmover House. The school ceased operation in 1923 when pupils transferred to Dungiven No. 2 Primary School, now the Ogilby Hall. The subsequent owner converted the old school into a mission hall, adding the present porches and undertaking renovation work.