Private Eye goes public with its support for listed church 'facing imminent destruction'

THE fate of a dilapidated church in Toome is not the sort of thing you would expect to find in the pages of the UK’s top satirical magazine - but ‘Private Eye’ is praying that it can be saved from the wrecking ball.

And it has considerable clout too. The magazine, which is edited by Ian Hislop, currently boasts 700,000 readers.

The unholy row emerged when the Antrim Guardian revealed back in February that Duneane Parish wished to have the Old Sacred Heart Church on the Staffordstown Road knocked down ‘for safety reasons’.

But it is not as simple as that as the building was B1 listed in 1974. In 1991 an application to delist the building was submitted. This was refused.

But with the flock now attending a modern new church nearby, the 196-year-old building has continued to fall into disrepair.

A survey undertaken by Macro Property Solutions in 2023 raised issues with the roof - which has been stripped of slates - as well as timber decay, wall plate decay, collapsed purlins, missing coping stones and significant cracking of walls.

Cavehill Associates did a follow up in 2024 which highlighted concerns about the structural integrity of this building.

“The report finds that some of the main walls were out of plumb to an unacceptable lean from a structural perspective. It concludes that localised collapses occurred in this building and more collapses will occur,” they said.

Which is a worry, as there is evidence that intruders have been visiting the site - posing questions of compensation pay-outs if someone is hurt.

According to Cavehill, it ‘has reached, or is approaching, a ruinous condition’.

In short, knock it down before it falls down.

But Private Eye believes it should be saved - and argued that steps to hasten its demise must be blocked.

‘Added to the heritage at risk register in 2003, the unused church’s condition has deteriorated since then, culminating in the removal of its roof tiles a few years ago, apparently on safety grounds’, they observed in their regular architectural column.

‘Duneane Parish sought retrospective planning permission for the listed building alteration which Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council rejected, but the roof was not replaced.

‘Removal of the roof tiles means it’s likely the church timbers have now deteriorated even further due to rainfall and encroaching vegetation’.

They go on to suggest that it’s not too late to put the old building to use.

‘Noted for Gothic Revival detailing, Sacred Heart was listed in 1974 and retains a significant proportion of its original character, with its building survey stating: ‘The early dedication of 1829, a year before full Catholic Emancipation but some time after several Roman Catholic Relief Acts, testifies to the significance of its foundation’.

‘As it stands in the middle of a graveyard, demolition is unlikely to free the site up for development, but with a new roof a long-term plan could be put in place for reuse, possibly as a hall for hire like many other disused churches around the UK.

‘The decision now lies with Antrim and Newtownabbey Council as to whether this former place of worship is to be saved or condemned’.

As it stands, however, Private Eye suspects that supporters may need a miracle. Indeed they fear it may be ‘facing imminent destruction’.

But Ulster Architectural Heritage have weighed into the debate - and voiced their concern about the proposals.

They had opposed the removal of the slates back in 2023, and agree that the condition of the building has worsened since then.

“Unsurprisingly the building is in a precarious condition with no roof covering but demolition is not justified here,” said a spokesperson.

“Other listed roofless structures have been made structurally sound in the past such as at Necarne Castle, a significantly more complex structure.

“A roof covering needs to be put in place to stop further deterioration, tin being maybe a more economical and effective solution.

“UAH will continue to raise awareness and campaign for better protection for our finite built heritage structures.

“You can register your objection and see plans via the planning portal.”

https://planningregister. planningsystemni.gov.uk/.../696033.