rectory/glebe/vicarage/curate's house, GLEBE (FAHAN) · NIAH 40820017

This well-proportioned former Church of Ireland rectory, of early nineteenth-century dates, retains it early character and form. Its visual expression and integrity is enhanced by the retention of much of its early fabric including natural slate roof and timber sliding sash windows. The good-quality doorway with fanlight to the porch, provides an attractive central focus to the main elevation. This building is an example of the language of classical architecture stripped to its barest fundamental elements, which creates a fine dwelling in a subtle style. This is exhibited through features such as the rigid symmetry to the main elevation, the central doorway, and the window openings that diminish in scale towards the eaves. The tapering flight of cut stone steps to the front door give it an extra emphasis. The three-bay two-storey form is typical of Church of Ireland rectory buildings (particularly those built by the Board of First Fruits), and many middle class gentleman's residences, dating from the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth century. Lewis (1837) records that it was built in 1822 by aid of a gift of a £100 from the Board of First Fruits. This building is of social interest to the local community as a Church of Ireland rectory, and forms part of a pair of related sites along with the associated Church of Ireland church to the north-west (see 40820014). Situated in attractive mature grounds formerly overlooking Lough Swilly to the south-west, this building is an integral element of the built heritage of the local area. The simple outbuildings to the rear, particularly the two-storey outbuilding to the north-west, the surviving sections of rubble stone boundary wall, and the cast-iron and wrought-iron gates and railings to site, add considerably to the setting and context is this notable composition. This building was the home of the Revd. William Hawkshaw in 1846 (from 1837 at latest, Lewis), the Revd. John King in 1881 and a Revd. William A. Dickson in 1894 (all Slater’s Directory). A Revd. Richard Hawkshaw may also have been rector here in the 1830s or 1840s. A plaque to the associated church records that it was built in 1820 by the Revd. William Knox who was probably the first resident at this rectory when it was built in 1822. A modern plaque to the rear of this rectory records that this was home of the noted hymn writer Mrs. Cecil Francis Alexander (1818-95) lived here at some stage during the mid-to-late nineteenth century, probably as her husband, Revd. William Alexander, was a rector here at some stage. She was responsible for writing the well-known hymn ‘All things bright and beautiful’.