Eaglais Naomh Columba Eaglais na hÉireann

This simple small-scale Church of Ireland church retains its early character and form. The pointed-arched openings lend this building it a muted Gothic Revival character that is typical of its type and date. The plain nave and chancel are enlivened by the simple ashlar sandstone surrounds to the openings, which retain early quarry glazed windows. Of particular note is the well-built belltower to the west end, built in 1913 - 15, which has some high quality cut stone detailing that contrasts with the plain form of the earlier nave and chancel to the east. Lewis (1837) records that this church ‘is a plain building, erected by aid of a gift of £553. 16. from the late Board [Board of First Fruits], in 1828’. The architect involved is not known. The chancel and the clasping buttresses were added in 1890 to designs by the architect Samuel Patrick Close (1852 – 1925), while the fine tower was added in 1913 - 15 to designs by Richard Mills Close (1880 – 1949), the son of Samuel Patrick. The main contractor involved in the construction of the tower was James McClay of Strabane and it was described as ‘recently completed’ in January 1915. A plaque to the tower commemorates that its construction was paid for by Henry Musgrave, of nearby Carrick Lodge (see 40842001), just outside of An Charraig, whose family first acquired estates in the Gleann Cholm Cille/Glencolumbkille area in 1867. The tower replaced an earlier crude freestanding belfry, which stood to the south-west of the church (Lawrence collection photograph c. 1900). The Musgrave family is also commemorated in the very fine figurative stained glass window to the chancel gable, which was made by the eminent stained glass company Mayer and Company of Munich, whose work adorns many churches in Ireland. This window is dictated to John R. Musgrave (died 1895) and depicts ‘The Feeding of the Hungry’. The surrounding graveyard contains an interesting collection of gravemarkers dating from the late-eighteenth century, including a number with railed enclosures, and adds considerably to the setting and context of the church. The simple boundary walls complete this composition. This church and graveyard occupies the site of ancient ecclesiastical site founded by St. Colmcille/Columbkille (see DG080-013----/DG080-013001- to DG080-013010) and contains a number of archaeological features including cross-slabs, a souterrain, and the site of an earlier church. The present church replaced an earlier church building (DG080-013004-) here, which was sited just to the south of the present edifice and was demolished following its construction in 1828. This earlier church apparently had an arched vaulted tower to the west end. The associated rectory is located a short distance to the west (see 40841005).