Second Raphoe Presbyterian Church — The Diamond

Freestanding three-bay two-storey former gable-fronted Presbyterian church, built 1860, having central portico in antis with two Ionic columns to front elevation (west), Ionic pilasters to either side of porch\portico and to corners of front elevation, and with pediment over. Four bay side elevations (north and south). Now in use as a sports hall (since 1949). Pitched artificial slate roof with raised smooth rendered pediment parapet having moulded rendered detailing to front (brought around the start of west end of side elevations), projecting cut stone eaves course to side elevations, and with raised cut sandstone verge to the rear (east). Rendered chimneystack to the gable apex to the east end. Some surviving sections of cast-iron rainwater goods. Medallion ashlar sandstone date stone to pediment having central circular motif with ‘Scottish Church’ and ‘erected 1860. Roughcast rendered walls to front elevation over channelled smooth rendered plinth with cut dressed sandstone capping over. Roughcast rendered walls to side and rear elevations over smooth rendered ruled-and-lined plinth\basement section with cut sandstone coping over. Ashlar sandstone block-and-start quoins to the corners of the rear elevation (east). Round-headed window openings to the outer bays of the front elevation having moulded architraved surround with keystone motif, timber fixed windows with coloured glass to margin panes, and stone sills supported on moulded brackets. Three graded round-headed window openings over doorway to recessed porch\portico having smooth rendered architraved surrounds, timber fixed windows with coloured glass to margin panes, and continuous stone sill supported on moulded brackets. Round-headed window openings to the side and rear elevations (now blocked). Square-headed window openings to the rear at basement\plinth level, now blocked (single eight-over-eight pane timber sliding sash window visible. Square-headed doorway to the centre of the front elevation having timber panelled doors flanked by timber pilasters with console brackets supporting timber canopy\entablature over. Doorway reached up flight of cut stone steps having ornate cast-iron railings to either side. Modern lamp post to start of steps. Set back from road in own site to the north-east corner of the Diamond to the centre of Raphoe. Mature yew trees and tarmacadam forecourt to front of site, modern fire escape to rear. Wrought-iron flat bar gate to the south side of building giving access to the rear. Bounded on road-frontage to the west by smooth rendered plinth wall with ornate cast-iron railings over. Rubble stone walls to the other boundaries of site with wrought-iron gate to the rear (east). Main gateway to the west comprising a pair of cast-iron gate posts on octagonal-plan and a pair of ornate cast-iron gates.