Church Ruins, Holy Trinity Church, Culmore Road, Londonderry, BT48 7RS

The ruins are of a probable plantation chapel, likely dating from between 1650 and 1699. Situated to the east of the present Holy Trinity Church, the remains consist largely of a south wall with a large window opening, an east-returning wall, and a further section of south wall returning to form another east wall, approximately six and a half metres long. The south gable wall stands roughly five metres high, while the remaining walls are low. The structure is built of schist stone, with a sandstone band visible at a lower level.

Historical records suggest the church was originally erected for the garrison of Culmore Fort. It was reportedly cruciform in shape, with a nave, transept, and square tower, measuring 54 feet long and 46 feet wide at the transept. Accounts indicate that Divine Service was only performed twice in the church, and that it was used as a hospital by King James’s army during the siege of Derry, accommodating up to 400 wounded. Tradition states that the French General Momont was buried here.

Early Ordnance Survey maps (1830) suggest a T-shaped plan, possibly indicative of a simple rectangular nave with a chapel attached. The proximity of the ruins to the current church implies that part of the ruin was demolished to facilitate the construction of the 1867 church (HB01/27/007A). The building was depicted on the 1853 Ordnance Survey map as ‘Culmore Church (in ruins)’. Further maps from 1904-1905 corroborate this description. The ruins are currently recorded as derelict.