Railway Street Presbyterian Church, 31 Railway Street, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, BT28 1XP

Railway Street Presbyterian Church is a gable-fronted stone church built in 1863–1864, designed by architect John Boyd and located on the west side of Railway Street in Lisburn. The building exemplifies a blend of Romanesque and classical architectural styles, executed in local rock-faced basalt with fine sandstone ashlar dressings.

The church is a free-standing, double-height structure of rectangular plan facing east, set slightly back from the street. It is accompanied by a multi-bay two-storey Minister's rear wing, a redbrick Caretaker's house to the west, and a further attached redbrick former school built around 1890. A connecting wing linking the church to the old school was added to the north of the caretaker's house around 1978. The church underwent renovation around 2008.

The roof consists of hipped natural slate with roll-moulded black clay ridge tiles and lead-lined top, sitting behind a pitched roof to the front gable with lead valleys. The sandstone pediment to the front gable has lead lining with lead-lined acroteria to either end bearing decorative sandstone scrolled ornaments. Ogee-moulded cast-iron guttering follows the sandstone ashlar eaves course, turning into yellow brick on side and rear elevations, with cast-iron downpipes throughout. The walling is random coursed rock-faced basalt with sandstone ashlar quoins and a projecting sandstone plinth course to the front elevation only.

Window openings are round-headed on the upper level and square-headed on the lower level, formed in chamfered yellow brick, with painted stone sills and stained glass windows fitted with storm glazing. The distinctive gabled front elevation comprises a slightly advanced pedimented breakfront with an arcaded corbel course to the raking cornice of an open-based pediment, returning to form the cornice of a double-height pier to either side. A double-height semi-circular Romanesque arch rises into the pediment with voussoired sandstone ashlar and billet moulding to the impost mouldings. This arch frames a recess containing triple-arched window openings to the upper level with continuous hood moulding, resting on a continuous moulded sill course inscribed 'PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH A.D.1863'. A further triple-arched arrangement at ground floor level, with billet hood moulding and stop-chamfered piers with impost and plinth mouldings, contains replacement hardwood glazed doors and fanlights.

The south and north side elevations are each six windows wide with a double-height window to the west end. The rear elevation is abutted by the two-storey Minister's wing and features an oculus to either side; the 1970s connecting wing also abuts this elevation. The interior retains a lofty space with a large three-sided gallery featuring original box pews. The church is furnished with tall stained glass windows and a large organ. Recent interior improvements have removed some original character, though the gallery, windows, and organ remain important features. Decorative cast and wrought iron gates, railings, and sandstone and basalt plinth separate the church forecourt from the street; this metalwork may have been replaced but has been executed to a good standard.

The church was built following the growth of Lisburn as an industrial town and the religious revival of 1859, which led to increased numbers in the Presbyterian congregation at the existing meeting house in Market Square. William Barbour, a mill owner and church elder, encouraged formation of a new congregation. Services were held in a hay loft in Castle Street until the new church opened in March 1864. The contractor was W. Ferguson of Lisburn, and the building was completed at a cost of £1,520 and 3 shillings. In 1869 a school was built to the rear of the church. A lecture hall was added in 1887. In 1896, side galleries were added and four long windows on either side were split to accommodate them; the roof was renewed and improvements made to the vestibule and choir room at this time. An organ was installed in 1908 and replaced in 1914 by a new instrument supplied by J.J. Binns at a cost of £700; an intricately carved new pulpit was also installed then. In 1952 the old schoolhouse was renovated and became the 'Minor Hall'. The lecture hall was refurbished in 1962 and again in 1997. In 1987, seventeen new church windows were dedicated. The church was reroofed in 2006, and interior refurbishment took place in 2007 and 2008, including relocation of the organ console and installation of new pews.

The listing extends to the church building, gates, railings, and walling. The church is located within a conservation area.