Saint Columba's College

Detached five-bay double-height Church of Ireland chapel, designed 1875; built 1879-80; dedicated 1880, on a rectangular plan comprising four-bay double-height nave opening into single-bay double-height chancel (east) with single-bay full-height gabled projecting porch-cum-belfry (north-west). Pitched slate roofs with terracotta ridge tiles, moss-covered coping to gables on gabled "Cavetto" kneelers with Cross finials to apexes, and concealed rainwater goods on lead-covered cut-sandstone "Cavetto" cornice retaining cast-iron downpipes. Cut-sandstone banded tuck pointed coursed cut-granite walls on battered base with stepped buttresses having moss-covered "slated" coping. Paired cusped lancet window openings between stepped buttresses with cut-granite chamfered sill course, and cut-sandstone block-and-start surrounds having moulded reveals framing iron mesh storm panels over fixed-pane fittings having stained glass margins centred on leaded stained glass panels. Cusped lancet "Trinity Window" to chancel (east) with cut-granite chamfered sill, and cut-sandstone block-and-start surrounds having moulded reveals with hood moulding framing iron mesh storm panels over fixed-pane fittings having stained glass margins centred on leaded stained glass panels. Pointed-arch window opening to entrance (west) front with cut-granite chamfered crow stepped sill, and cut-sandstone block-and-start surround having moulded reveals with hood moulding on label stops framing iron mesh storm panels over fixed-pane fittings having stained glass margins centred on leaded stained glass panels. Full-height interior open into roof with choir gallery (west) below stained glass "West Window", encaustic tiled central aisle between quatrefoil-perforated timber panelled choir stalls, encaustic tiled wainscoting, wall monuments (1921; 1945) between stained glass windows, pierced quatrefoil-detailed pulpit on an octagonal plan with Gothic-style clerk's desk, tiled stepped dais to chancel (east) with cloaked altar below stained glass "Trinity Window", and exposed timber roof construction on polygonal corbels with polygonal vaulted ceiling in timber frame on carved timber cornice. Set in landscaped grounds shared with Saint Columba's College.

A chapel erected to a design (1875) by William Butterfield (1814-1900) of London (Irish Builder 15th December 1875, 351) not only contributing positively to the group and setting values of the Saint Columba's College complex, but also clearly illustrating the continued development or "improvement" of the complex in the later nineteenth century with the architectural value of the composition confirmed by such attributes as the compact rectilinear plan form, aligned along a liturgically-correct axis; the construction in a banded silver-grey granite offset by honey-coloured dressings not only demonstrating good quality workmanship, but also producing a muted polychromatic palette; and the slender profile of the coupled openings underpinning a "medieval" Gothic theme with the chancel defined by a cusped "Trinity Window". Having been well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the vaulted interior where encaustic tile work; contemporary joinery; and jewel-like stained glass designed by Butterworth (DIA), all highlight the artistic potential of the composition: meanwhile, an exposed timber roof construction pinpoints the engineering or technical dexterity of the chapel. NOTE: A pair of ledgers commemorate 'THE GLORIOUS MEMORY OF THE MEMBERS OF THIS COLLEGE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES ON ACTIVE SERVICE IN THE WAR BEGUN ON THE 4TH DAY OF AUGUST 1914 AND TERMINATED ON THE 11TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 1918' (cf. 60220028) and 'THE MEMORY OF THOSE MEMBERS OF THIS COLLEGE WHO DIED IN WAS A.D. 1939-1945'.