---
title: "St John, Moneymore"
description: "Located in Moneymore, County Londonderry. Built 1829–32; rebuilt after fire 1889–91. Diocese of Armagh. Grade B1. Norman Revival style."
category: "Church"
tags: ["Church","Church of Ireland","County Londonderry","Moneymore","Grade B1","Norman Revival","W J Booth"]
canonical: "https://thebritishgazette.com/post/moneymore-st-john-desertlyn"
pubDate: "2026-09-06T02:19:17.354Z"
dateModified: "2026-09-08T00:33:28.566Z"
location: "Moneymore, County Londonderry"
country: "Northern Ireland"
county: "County Londonderry"
town: "Moneymore"
address: "Smith Street, Moneymore, County Londonderry, BT45 7PF"
postcode: "BT45 7PF"
built: "1829–32; rebuilt after fire 1889–91"
consecrated: "29 August 1832"
architect: "William Joseph Booth; rebuilt by John Henry Fullerton"
denomination: "Church of Ireland"
dedications: ["John"]
diocese: "Armagh"
grade: "B1"
style: "Norman Revival"
materials: "Regular-coursed ashlar in Barony Glen (Draperstown) sandstone from Gortahurk; pitched slate roof; polished granite arcade columns"
openingHours: "The church can be opened up request. Contact: 07766 466679."
parish: "Desertlyn"
accessNotes: "Accessible toilets nearby. Level access to the main areas. Ramp or level access available on request"
---

# St John, Moneymore

St John’s Church of Ireland, Smith Street, Moneymore, is the parish church of Desertlyn in the Diocese of Armagh. It is a Norman Revival church of 1832 by William Joseph Booth for the Drapers’ Company, listed Grade B1 (HB09/06/017). Northern Ireland listings are not entered as Historic England or Cadw URLs.

## Overview

The Dictionary of Irish Architects records a large new Norman Revival church for the Drapers’ Company, consecrated on 29 August 1832 at a cost of about £6,000. Work began in 1829. Archiseek notes a tradition that the church was modelled on Tewkesbury Abbey. The Stone Database describes a five-bay nave with clerestory and aisles, a square crenellated west tower, a recessed round-arched doorway and a projecting chancel, faced in Gortahurk stone (Barony Glen sandstone). Arcade columns are polished granite from Castlewellan.

A chimney fire in January 1889 destroyed the roof and most of the interior; only the stone pulpit and one window were said to have survived. John Henry Fullerton repaired the walls and replaced the roof in 1891 (reopened 10 October 1891; contractor J. Smith; cost over £2,500). The parish name Desertlyn comes from the earlier church at Ballymully, about two miles from the village, used until a predecessor in Moneymore was built in 1767.

## Further Information

- [Dictionary of Irish Architects: St John, Desertlyn](https://www.dia.ie/works/view/1697/building/CO.+DERRY%2C+MONEYMORE%2C+CHURCH+OF+ST+JOHN+%28CI%2C+DESERTLYN+PARISH%29)
- [Stone Database NI: St John's, Moneymore](https://stonedatabase.com/building/st-johns-c-of-i-church-moneymore/)
- [Gloine: Desertlyn, St John](https://www.gloine.ie/search/building/3375/desertlyn)