Banbridge church gets £100,000 Historic Grants boost

Seapatrick Parish Church in Banbridge today was awarded a much needed grant of almost £100,000 to pay for some recently completed renovations.
~ Monday, 23 January 2012

The grant, awarded under the Historic Buildings Grant-Aid Scheme, will pay for the rebuilding of the stone spire and repairs to the lime stonework.

Welcoming Seapatrick’s grant Environment Minister Alex Attwood said: “Seapatrick Parish Church is one of Banbridge’s best known historic buildings. This grant aid from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency’s grant scheme has allowed this important part of the town’s architectural heritage to be successfully restored and retained.
“We owe it to future generations to ensure that listed buildings such as this, of which there are almost 8,500 in Northern Ireland, are protected and restored.”

Pointing out the importance of the grant scheme to maintaining our architectural heritage, the Minister added: “The historic buildings grant-aid scheme goes a long way towards ensuring a sustainable future for much of our built heritage and I have sought to secure more money to his fund. This week I was pleased to announce that the cap on support for new applications which was set at £50,000 last year has now been raised threefold to £150,000.”

As part of Programme for Government, DOE is committed to 'protecting and enhancing our environment and natural resources'.

Notes to editors:

1. This Gothic revival church with tower and slender stone spire was built c1833. and the church, gates and railings were listed at grade B+ in 1976.
2. The land on which the church is sited was acquired from the Marquis of Downshire c1833 and the church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, was consecrated on 7 November 1837. It replaced the first parish church built in 1698 which was located in Seapatrick.
3. Originally cruciform on plan, the church was designed and added to by two of Ulster’s foremost Victorian architects: annexes and transepts were added in 1867 to designs by WJ Barre; modifications were carried out to designs by Thomas Drew In 1883.
4. In 1920 stained glass windows were added and ten chiming bells were placed in the tower. In 1937, to mark the centenary of the churches consecration, the organ was rebuilt and enlarged.
5. The amount of the award, under the Historic Buildings Grant-Aid Scheme which is administered by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency is £96,765. The work was completed in May 2011.
6. Anyone who owns a listed building and is interested in applying to the Historic Buildings Grant Aid Scheme should contact the grant section of NIEA: Historic Buildings Unit by emailing bh@doeni.gov.uk or by telephoning (028) 9054 3038.
7. For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office on 028 9025 6058 or out of office hours, contact EIS Duty Press Office on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.