The Present Church

The present church of St. Augustine’s was consecrated by the Lord Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Dr William Alexander, on 11^th June 1872. He was the husband of Mrs Cecil Frances Alexander, the celebrated hymn writer (All Things Bright and Beautiful, There is a Green Hill, Once in Royal David’s City).

It was designed by John Guy Ferguson, the COI Diocesan Architect and a prolific designer of many of the city’s finest buildings. The building cost £1600 and was the first church in Ireland built by voluntary subscription.

The stonework is of whinstone with sandstone dressings. Built in the 13C Gothic style, the building comprises a 3 bay garbled hall with bellcote, a geometric wheel window, lean-to slated porch and internally a hammerbeam roof. An article on ‘The Irish Builder, 1^st July 1872 describes the building:

During the Troubles the church was damaged on three occasions but each time the damage was repaired and worship continued.

The footprint of the building has remained much the same over the centuries – in fact modern archivists have even suggested that the position of the church halls mirrors that of the site of the Cloisters of the old Medieval Abbey.

St. Augustine’s remains a living, vibrant Church where we warmly welcome all to our little oasis of peace and tranquility”.

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