Ballintoy Parish Church is the main Church of Ireland church of Ballintoy, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The church, located a short distance from the town, appropriately enough, is one of the most northerly churches in the Diocese of Connor.
Contents
History
Although there is no precise date of construction, it may be surmised that a place of worship was built on the present site at Ballintoy sometime during the first quarter of the seventeenth century. It is very likely that it functioned as a chapel of ease to nearby Ballintoy Castle which is built on the townland of Ballintoy Demesne. Since the church at Ballintoy is located on the northern extreme of the wider parish area, it is thought that worshippers may have attended at Billy, the official parish church prior to the formation of Ballintoy as a separate parish.
The church as it now stands is a replacement for an older structure and was completed in the year 1813 under the auspices of Revd Robert Trail to a plan drawn by Henry Wynne. With passing years improvements and embellishments were added to the parish church. In June 1857, a new organ was installed by Dublin-based firm Telford & Telford, at a cost of £37 met by voluntary subscription. A very extensive renovation was undertaken in 1883 under the direction of Revd John McNeice. At this time, a new pulpit, pews, flooring, tiling, and heating were added, as well as repairs to the roof and spire. Further repairs needed to be made to the roof following considerable damage caused by a hurricane of December 1894. It is probable that the steeple, which was also damaged in this storm, was not replaced on the church tower at this time.
Description and Architecture
It is two bays in length, with a single north transept, the tower being retained from an earlier building. Between the nave and the transept is a small chapel/baptistry.
Sacred Objects
The communion plate or chalice is thought to have been manufactured some time previous to 1638 by Dublin silversmith James Vanderbeg or Vanderbeck, while the provenance of the paten is less clear since it is stamped only with date of presentation to the church.
Of notable interest is the old church bell which bears the following inscription:
'Archibald Stewart gave me: Charles, his son, re-cast me, anno 1686 and Archibald the son of Charles re-cast and augmented me anno 1718'
The bell no longer calls parishioners to worship but may be still viewed in the church tower.