Church of the Holy Name, Station Road, Greenisland, Carrickfergus, BT38 8UP

Church of the Holy Name

A well-detailed mid-twentieth century Church of Ireland church of simple proportions, displaying effective styling in materials typical of the period. The building is internally well preserved and representative of a period of intense development within the local area.

Built in 1954 to designs by architect A.F. Lucy, this detached brick church stands on the west side of Station Road in a prominent roadside setting. The church is constructed as a single-cell nave with a belfry positioned at the north-east corner, linked to the main structure by a flat-roofed porch. The walls are built of brown brick in stretcher bond, topped with a pitched pantile roof featuring deep overhanging uPVC boxed eaves, fascia and gutter. Masonry Celtic crosses surmount the gable ends.

The principal east elevation displays three bays, each containing a triple round-arched-headed window with stained glass set within projecting cast-concrete surrounds. The leftmost bay is extended internally to contain the chancel. An oculus window sits above the lower link block on the exposed wall section. The porch and belfry occupy the northern end of this elevation. The entrance comprises a pair of panelled mahogany doors with bronze knobs, set within a projecting concrete surround and surmounted by a frieze inscribed "Hallowed be thy name".

The belfry is a double-height structure with pitched roof and overhanging eaves, defined by an offset full-height double-rebated opening that rises above the main entrance and contains a bronze bell. The wider left pier features projecting bricks arranged at intervals in a cross motif. The link block features full-height multi-light windows to each side, containing Victorian stained glass insets.

The south gable contains a round-headed Venetian-style stained glass window set within a central projection, which has a clock at its apex. The north gable displays another round-headed stained glass window with brick voussoirs contained within a slightly projecting bay. A modern extension of little architectural interest abuts the west elevation; the exposed chancel end is blank.

The stained glass windows by D.I. Braniff are of particular significance.

The church sits within a grassed area to the east and a tarmac parking area to the north. The roadside boundary is defined by quadrant steel railings mounted on a low plinth wall, terminated by brick piers, with access gained through mild steel double gates. The listing encompasses the church including the gate piers and railings.

According to parish records, the church was originally planted in Greenisland as an extension to Jordanstown Parish and has recently undergone full refurbishment together with construction of a new parish centre.