TAKE a peak inside one of Portaferry’s biggest restoration projects on Saturday as part of European Heritage Open Day.
The Friends of Portaferry Presbyterian Church (FPPC) — who have embarked on a £1.5m restoration of this unique Grade A listed building — will be conducting hard hat tours between 2pm and 5pm.
Work has been underway on the ambitious project for a month now and this is the first opportunity for members of the public to see the progress and problems first hand and hear of the charity’s plans for the future.
Portaferry Presbyterian Church is considered one of the best neo-classical buildings in Great Britain and Ireland and its restoration is sponsored primarily by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
After restoration the building will be known as ‘Portico’ and will become a centre dedicated to the history of the region, built heritage and to the heritage of Christian church music.
Portaferry Presbyterian Church was designed by John Millar and built in 1839. James Curl, the author of the Oxford Dictionary of Architecture, described it as “one of the most distinguished Neo-classical buildings in Ulster” and “in the first rank of Neo-classical designs in the whole of the British Isles”.
Its restoration, which has been planned over the past four years, includes an extension, work to the roof, re-rendering, rewiring, new heating, lighting and sound systems, a complete rebuild of the organ, floodlighting, the installation of a state-of-the-art recording facility and a complete programme of external landscaping.
TAL Ltd, the contractors for the scheme, have started work on the foundations for the extension and the creation of the new entrance from Meeting House Street.
Wells Kennedy, who are rebuilding the organ, have removed the instrument completely, revealing tantalising evidence of the original colour schemes and Greek revival stencilled decoration.
The congregation, which temporarily moved out to accommodate the massive project, is expected to return.
Ian McDonnell, chairman of FPPC, said: “This is a terrific opportunity for us to showcase the work that we are carrying out to bring this building back to its full glory, as well as updating it for the 21st century.
“We are very pleased that TAL have agreed to organise these hard hat tours and representatives of our charity will be leading the tours to explain the scheme and our proposals.
“It also gives us a chance to acknowledge our many funders, in particular the Heritage Lottery Fund, without whose support this work would simply not be possible.”
From now on FPPC will be recruiting volunteers to help with the displays and other activities in the building. Anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer should contact Alice McClure, Project Manager, on info@friendsppc.org to register their interest. A wide range of skills are required.