Lanyon's Other
Building
Waringstown was originally settled by people from
the North of England and an Anglican Church had been in the village
for many years. In the nineteenth century, a number of
Presbyterians had come to live in the village and the rural area
had always been home to many families of Scots
origin.
Despite the troubled economic circumstances of
the 1840's, it was decided to form a congregation and establish a
church. John Henning, a large scale manufacturer of damask linen
was central to the development of Waringstown. He offered the use
of a large room In Murray House on the Banbridge Road. But this was
not large enough and Henning fitted up the mill loft next door with
seating accommodation for 200 people. Services continued there
until 1851, when it was decided that a purpose built church was
required .
Sir Charles Lanyon was the foremost architect of
the day. He is best known for many of the most highly regarded
buildings in Belfast, such as Queens University, The Palm House in
Botanic Gardens, The Customs House and Crumlin Road Court House and
Gaol. Lanyon's work in Waringstown is not so well know, but is no
less important.
The design was highly original for a Presbyterian
church, being a building of two sharply contrasting parts. The main
hall of the church is of simple classical proportions and is built
of blackstone with brick detailing and a slate roof. The interior
and entrance facade with its twin flanking campanile towers,
however, are in Florentine Renaissance style. The first service was
held in the new building on 1st June 1853.
School rooms were added at the back of the
building confirming the ancient commitment of Presbyterianism to
universal education, a commitment going back to the Scotland of the
reformation. Intrestingly, when talking about the church recently
to a friend, he recalled his Grandmother attending school in the
schoolrooms at the back of the church.
The cache is a camouflaged nano.
Remember to bring your own pen..