St Mark's Church, Parish of Dundela, is on the Holywood Road, East Belfast. The building is situated on 'Bunker Hill', an elevated position, which allows this beacon of witness, to be seen from many miles around. The church has much treasured connections with C S Lewis who was baptised here.
It was designed in red sandstone by the eminent Victorian architect William Butterfield - also responsible for Keble College, Oxford - in magnificent Gothic revival style. The 150ft high bell tower creates the impression of a large church. It is an extravagant building, reflecting deep devotion to God.
Sir John Betjeman, a leading authority on architecture and particularly Victorian Church architecture, described St Mark's as "Butterfield at his best". Mr Stephen Dykes Bower, a consultant architect to Westminster Abbey and foremost authority on Butterfield, was commissioned to supervise restoration work in 1976. Dykes Bower commented "It is an outstanding example of Butterfield's work... and a fine specimen of Butterfield attempting to re-create the Gothic grandeur of a medieval cathedral." Dykes Bower designed and pendant lighting which gives a warm glow, akin to candle light.
It was designed in red sandstone by the eminent Victorian architect William Butterfield - also responsible for Keble College, Oxford - in magnificent Gothic revival style. The 150ft high bell tower creates the impression of a large church. It is an extravagant building, reflecting deep devotion to God.
Sir John Betjeman, a leading authority on architecture and particularly Victorian Church architecture, described St Mark's as "Butterfield at his best". Mr Stephen Dykes Bower, a consultant architect to Westminster Abbey and foremost authority on Butterfield, was commissioned to supervise restoration work in 1976. Dykes Bower commented "It is an outstanding example of Butterfield's work... and a fine specimen of Butterfield attempting to re-create the Gothic grandeur of a medieval cathedral." Dykes Bower designed and pendant lighting which gives a warm glow, akin to candle light.
The Old Rectory is a large red brick building on the south side of the church. It was designed by S P Close and built in 1887. Thomas Hamilton, the first rector of St Mark's Church and grandfather of C S Lewis lived here from 1887-1900.
The building stands proudly in its own grounds and complements the church. This building, together with the Heyn Hall beside the Old Rectory, gives St Mark's one of the finest suites of church buildings in Belfast or even Ireland.
The door handle of the Old Rectory is in the shape of a lion and may have inspired C S Lewis (see photo below).
The building stands proudly in its own grounds and complements the church. This building, together with the Heyn Hall beside the Old Rectory, gives St Mark's one of the finest suites of church buildings in Belfast or even Ireland.
The door handle of the Old Rectory is in the shape of a lion and may have inspired C S Lewis (see photo below).
The Heyn Hall
The Heyn Memorial Hall at the corner of Sydenham Avenue and the Holywood Road was built in 1928-9. It was designed by R H Gibson in association with Henry Seaver and constructed by F B McKee and Co. Paul Larmour in his illustrated architectural guide to Belfast describes it as "One of the finest parish halls in the country."
It is built in Tudor style with red brick walls, green Norwegian slates, wood panelled rooms, and timber mullioned windows. Upstairs, the youth room is known as the wardrobe and has a mural of Narnia recalling the parish’s association with C.S. Lewis.
The Heyn Memorial Hall at the corner of Sydenham Avenue and the Holywood Road was built in 1928-9. It was designed by R H Gibson in association with Henry Seaver and constructed by F B McKee and Co. Paul Larmour in his illustrated architectural guide to Belfast describes it as "One of the finest parish halls in the country."
It is built in Tudor style with red brick walls, green Norwegian slates, wood panelled rooms, and timber mullioned windows. Upstairs, the youth room is known as the wardrobe and has a mural of Narnia recalling the parish’s association with C.S. Lewis.
Photos From Inside St Mark's Church, Dundela
Stained Glass Windows
