Church in Townparks (imokilly By., Middleton Par.)

In Midleton, in S half of graveyard, on or near site of Cistercian abbey (CO076-06303-) and on site of earlier C of I church called 'St. John's Church'. This latter church described as 'in good repair' in 1694 (Brady 1863, vol. 2, 109); described by Smith (1750, vol. 1, 146) as 'neat structure, and well pewed, and the steeple is capable of holding a ring of bells'. New church built 1823-5 (Brady ibid., 111), designed by Pains of Cork; rectangular, built of limestone ashlar in 'later English style' (Lewis 1837, vol. 2, 369), with tower at W end 'crowned with pinnacles surmounted by a light and elegant spire' (ibid.). Pinnacles atop corners of church and on apex of gables; slender engaged buttresses on corners and between windows. Three wide pointed windows in N and S walls and on E gable, with wooden perpendicular tracery. Door with pointed arch on W face of tower, surmounted by date plaque '1825'. Top of spire blown down 1903, now used as sundial in graveyard; spire repaired. Tower flanked by later additions in neo-Tudor style. Interior underwent extensive 'improvements' in late 19th century (Cole 1903, 179), including insertion of chancel screen. Inside are monuments from earlier church, notably that of Bishop Berkeley dated 1787. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009