St Columba, Ballynascreen
St Columba, Ballynascreen
St Columba’s (also recorded as St Columb) is the Church of Ireland parish church for Ballynascreen at Draperstown, County Londonderry, a B+ listed rebuilding of 1887–88 by Sir Thomas Drew.
- Location
- Ballynascreen, County Londonderry
- Country
- Northern Ireland
- County
- County Londonderry
- City / town
- Ballynascreen
- Address
- Tobermore Road, Ballynascreen, County Londonderry, BT45 7AG
- Postcode
- BT45 7AG
- Built
- 1887–88; tower and spire 1792, on the plan of a church of 1760
- Consecrated
- December 1888
- Architect
- Sir Thomas Drew; builder John McNally of Cookstown
- Denomination
- Church of Ireland
- Dedication
- Columba
- Diocese
- Derry and Raphoe
- Parish
- Ballynascreen
- Grade
- B+
- Style
- Early English, with an aisled chancel
- Opening hours
- Covid19: Periodic opening has been suspended due to Covid19. However access can be gained by contacting Revd Rosie Diffin 02879627811.
- Access
- Level access to the main areas
Overview
The Dictionary of Irish Architects records a rebuilding of 1887–88 on the lines of the external walls of a church of 1760, retaining the tower and spire of 1792. Drew, then diocesan architect of Down, designed a long, low church with a broadly buttressed porch and cusped lancet windows. The east end is given an unusual profile by transepts added as separate gabled volumes with roof ridges parallel to aisle-like ranges; arcades divide the transepts from the chancel. Gloine describes the work as Early English, with a rare aisled chancel and a second arcade in the south aisle forming a small ambulatory. The church was consecrated in December 1888. It was a gift of the Hon. R. T. O’Neill; the builder was McNally of Cookstown. Font, pulpit, prayer desks and communion table were by A. P. Sharp.
Earlier work on the site includes a foundation stone for a new church in 1840, repewing by John Guy Ferguson in 1868, and a Ward & Hughes west window of 1877 in memory of the Revd Samuel Montgomery. Northern Ireland listing is B+; there is no Historic England or Cadw list entry. Access can be arranged through the parish; level access is recorded to the main areas.