Catholic Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Alphonsus Liguori — Barntown

Detached seven-bay double-height Catholic church, built 1844-8; dedicated 1851, on a rectangular plan comprising seven-bay double-height nave opening into seven-bay single-storey lean-to side aisles. Renovated, 1898-9, with interior "improved". Consecrated, 1899. Renovated, 1946-8, with interior "improved". Renovated, ----, with sanctuary reordered. "Restored", 1998-9. Pitched slate roof with lean-to slate roofs to side aisles, lichen-covered ridge tiles, cut-granite "Cavetto" coping to gables on cut-granite kneelers including cut-granite "Cavetto" coping to gable to entrance (west) front on trefoil-detailed gabled cut-granite kneelers with granite ashlar buttressed gabled double bellcote to apex framing cast-iron bells, and cast-iron rainwater goods on cut-granite eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Part repointed tuck pointed coursed rubble stone battered walls with hammered granite flush quoins to corners; part repointed tuck pointed coursed rubble stone surface finish (east) with stepped buttresses having cut-granite "slated" coping. Cusped or trefoil-headed lancet window openings in bipartite arrangement with cut-granite block-and-start surrounds having chamfered reveals framing fixed-pane fittings having leaded stained glass margins centred on leaded stained glass panels. Pointed-arch window opening to chancel (east), cut-granite block-and-start surround having chamfered reveals with hood moulding over on monolithic label stops framing fixed-pane fittings having leaded stained glass margins centred on leaded stained glass panels. Pointed-arch door opening to entrance (west) front with three cut-granite steps supporting cast-iron bootscrapers, cut-granite block-and-start surround having chamfered rebated reveals with hood moulding over on monolithic label stops framing timber boarded or tongue-and-groove timber panelled double doors. Pointed-arch window opening to gable, cut-granite block-and-start surround having chamfered reveals with hood moulding over on monolithic label stops framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having leaded stained glass panels. Interior including vestibule (west); pointed-arch door opening into nave with glazed timber panelled double doors; full-height interior open into roof "restored", 1998-9, with timber panelled choir gallery on an engaged half-octagonal plan below stained glass "West Window" (1953), encaustic tiled central aisle between timber pews, pointed-arch arcades on cut-granite drum pillars, timber boarded stepped dais to sanctuary (east) reordered, ----, with Gothic-style reredos (1898-9) below stained glass "East Window" (1848), exposed scissor truss timber roof construction on cut-granite beaded corbels with wind braced rafters to stencilled ceiling on timber cornice, timber boarded or tongue-and-groove timber panelled wainscoting to side aisles supporting timber dado rail, Gothic-style timber stations between stained glass memorial windows (----), pair of cut-limestone floor monuments (ob. 1867; 1878), and wind braced rafters to stencilled ceiling on timber cornice. Set in landscaped grounds on a slightly elevated site.