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Carlisle Memorial Church
The Carlisle Memorial Methodist Church was paid for by Alderman James Carlisle, of Enfield House, Belfast, who erected it to commemorate his only son who died at the age of 18. It was designed in the Gothic Revival style by W. H. Lynn while construction was carried out by James Henry. The materials used were Armagh limestone with Dumfries red sandstone used as decorative elements.
The imposing bell tower is no doubt one of the most beautiful in Belfast and can be seen for miles around. Strangely though, it has always been silent since there were never any bells placed in it. This of course raises the interesting question of why it was built or if indeed, what happened to the bells.
Along the front of the main road is the entrance to the purposely built Lecture Halls and another side entrance to the main church. The Halls were opened in 1889 and for many years had served a very loyal Methodist congregation that attended the church services.
In 1973 though they were sold to private companies. The middle building is currently the offices of an architect firm while the other one has been the local Indian Community Centre since the outbreak of the Troubles.
This little manicured garden is home to an antique, stone water font which was probably set here for decorative reasons and not out of actual use.
Heading around towards the back of the complex is an unusual contemporary sculpture – the work of a local community group about 12 years ago. The figures embracing each other are symbolic of the desire for peace between the warring communities in this interface area. This peace-initiative replaces a statue on the Carlisle roundabout of Hugh Hannah – a leading Presbyterian minister who served in the church that once stood across the road to where this one is now. The statue was subsequently blown up by the IRA during the Troubles and substituted by a pigeon or possibly a dove. Consequently, it too was damaged.
Just inside the main doorway is a richly decorated archway into the church. Before it though is the memorial window bearing the dedication to James Carlisle’s son, the date of completion and the architect’s name.
Begun in March 1875, the last stone was laid by Mrs Carlisle on the 11th of May 1876. Carlisle memorial Church was officially opened the next day and Rev. W.Morley Punshon served the first mass. Another service later that day was held by Rev. Gervase Smith, MA, who proclaimed that the church was ‘the most perfect Methodist structure within the realm of Great Britain and Ireland.’
Almost 100 years later, in 1961 the first ever televised Mass Service in this country was held here.
A particularly interesting architectural detail in the nave is the splayed form of the columns and arches supporting the roof. Sadly though, even after renovations to the exterior in 1966, this was not enough to save it from closing down in 1982. Other features include a few stain glass windows and a beautiful Rose window still intact on the west side.
Organ pipes which are lying along the same side originally came from Liverpool Theatre in 1918.
Shortly after closing down the church was used as an artist’s studio. The closed off areas beside the altar were converted into flats and rented out for a short period. A few abandoned examples of art work and colourfully decorated rooms are all that remain of their presence.
Significant structural damage only started quite recently. Due to the Troubles this area experienced a lot of upheaval. One consequence was that lead was stolen from the roof and many years of rain has now taken its toll on the unprotected areas which have now begun to collapse and actually represent a real danger of collapsing altogether.
The building is now in the hands of a charity. Previous plans to do something with it have failed to lead anywhere. Unfortunately, there are no future plans to restore the church as it seems too much money may be needed to be pumped into this failing edifice.
A tiny, claustrophobic stairway leads up to the smaller of the towers. Old gas lines can still be noticed. One important feature is this observation room. It was actually used by James Carlisle’s driver to watch the service and time his departure so he would be waiting at the steps for Carlisle to exit.
Climbing further up are windows which provide a great view over certain angles of Belfast. Incidentally, they are the only safe structures remaining so if nothing else perhaps there’s a touristic opportunity here.
References
# Some photos were supplied by Philip Robinson
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