Cargycreevy Presbyterian Church, 192 Old Ballynahinch Road, Lisburn, County Down, BT27 6TP

Cargycreevy Presbyterian Church is a detached Neo-classical church dated 1847, situated east of the Old Ballynahinch Road in Lisburn. It represents the final phase of Presbyterian Classicism in Ulster and is Grade B1 listed.

The church is rectangular on plan with a single-storey-over-basement extension to the rear. It features a pitched natural slate roof with clay ridge tiles and a pedimented parapet to the main elevation. Cast-iron ogee rainwater goods sit on projecting eaves. The walls are painted smooth render on a moulded plinth, with channelled rustication to the door surround and square moulding to the entablature.

The principal northeast elevation comprises a sophisticated Neo-classical composition of three bays, the central bay being a breakfront. Four pairs of Doric pilasters articulate the façade and support a pedimented entablature with blocking course. The outer bays each contain a single round-headed window in a moulded surround. The central bay features square-headed multi-panelled double-leaf entrance doors with a stained and leaded transom light, accessed by eight stone steps with cast-iron handrails. The band-rusticated surround terminates with a platband. Above this is a round-headed window with a corbelled cill. The architrave bears a delicately carved plaque with an oval sandstone inset inscribed: "Erected AD GLORIAN DEI A.D.1847. Rev Robt. S. Erwin Minister".

The southeast elevation is five windows wide, regularly spaced. The northwest elevation is also five windows wide and regularly spaced. The southwest rear elevation has a projecting chimneystack to centre and is abutted by the single-storey-over-basement extension under a cat-slide roof. Windows throughout are a variety of round-headed leaded stained glass and timber Y-tracery in moulded surrounds.

The church retains its original leaded and stained glass fenestration and a now rare complete set of box pews. The architectural detailing is largely intact and relatively sophisticated for a rural Presbyterian church of this type.

The setting remains largely unspoiled. The church is set back from the road on a slightly elevated site. Original decorative cast-iron gates and gate piers flank the central entrance, with decorative cast-iron railing over a low masonry wall. The northeast boundary is marked by a low hedgerow over rubble stone wall. Pedestrian entrances to north and south have decorative wrought-iron latch-gates on polygonal masonry piers with pointed caps. A church hall stands opposite on the other side of the road. The graveyard to the rear and either side of the church contains good examples of mid-nineteenth-century funerary artifacts.

Historical Context

A Presbyterian congregation has existed at this site since 1846. According to local records, services were initially held in a nearby field before the church was completed. The plaque confirms that construction was undertaken under the ministry of Reverend Robert S. Erwin. An apocryphal tale records that the first couple married in the new church did so before the roof had been constructed, such was the rush among the congregation to be first wed there.

The church first appears on the second edition Ordnance Survey map of 1859. At that time, no manse was associated with the church, though a graveyard adjoined the site. Griffith's Valuation of 1862 recorded the church as measuring 20 by 13 yards and classified it as a 1B+ class church building, valued at £19 and let by David S. Kerr.

Little changed over the next fifty years until 1910, when a sexton's house was added, valued at £1 10 shillings, and a two-storey stable measuring 42 feet by 18 feet was constructed. Later Ordnance Survey editions show a small return was added to the rear wall, though it remains unclear whether this served as the sexton's house or stables. No further changes occurred by the end of the Annual Revisions in 1929.

A permanent manse for the incumbent minister was not constructed until the late 19th century, sited across the road from the church. Post-Second World War modifications included the construction of a church hall in 1955. In 1965, rooms for the minister and church choir were added to the church, along with new memorial windows. The 1965 work constitutes alterations that detract somewhat from the building's original character. In 1971, Cargycreevy united with another Presbyterian congregation in Loughaghery, with Reverend David McConaghy installed as the first minister of the union. A kitchen and committee room were added to the church hall in 1995.

The listing extends to the church building, gates, gate pillars, and railings.