Church of the Most Holy Rosary

Freestanding gable-fronted double-height Roman Catholic church, built 1905, having seven-bay nave, five-bay single-storey side aisles to north and south, sacristy to east and bellcote to west. Pitched artificial slate roofs with ceramic ridge tiles, metal and stone cross finials and uPVC rainwater goods. Cut block limestone walls with buttresses to north and south elevations, pilasters to nave, eaves course with decorative corbels, string courses and sill courses to side aisles having circular recesses with cruciform detail, blind cross to east elevation and blind trefoil detail to west elevation. Tripartite pointed arch openings to side aisles with lead fixed pane and casement stained glass windows. Multifoil window opening to nave with lead fixed pane stained glass window and rendered surround. Trefoil openings to west elevation and to side aisles with lead fixed pane glass windows and hood moulding to west elevation. Nine-light rose window to west elevation with lead fixed pane stained glass windows and rendered surrounds. Pointed arch opening to south side aisle with lead fixed pane stained glass window, concrete sill, rendered surround and hood moulding. East elevation windows comprising quatrefoil opening and two pointed arch openings with lead fixed pane stained glass, rendered surrounds and hood mouldings. Pointed arch door opening with timber battened door, wrought-iron strap hinges, steps, block-and-start and polychrome surrounds and hood moulding with square stops. Timber vaulted hammer beam roof to interior, with marble columns to separating side aisles. Timber gallery to west and marble alter to east. Enclosed by rubble stone and rendered walls with chamfered coping, wrought-iron gates and piers having pitched capstones with ridge detail.

The considerable size of this eyecatching structure ensures its prominence in the local landscape. It is a fine example of an early twentieth century design built during a period which saw increased variation in ecclesiastical architectural design, larger scale buildings, an assortment of styles and innovative features. Attention to detail is evident throughout, particularly in the variety of openings and contrast of polychromatic and rendered surrounds. The stained glass is of particular note, with a rose window designed by T. Clarke of Harry Clarke Stained Glass Limited in 1943, the windows over the altar (Crucifixion, SS Patrick and Brigid) designed by A.E. Child and executed by Catherine O'Brien in 1905, while the rose window of the Virgin and Child with the Three Magi is also by O'Brien.