Below is a look at some of the more interesting and historical features within the Abbey - we do hope you will visit us in person to look around or to simply spend some time in quiet reflection and prayer.  The church is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 2.00pm to 4.00pm during July and August - or we will be happy to host groups of visitors - please contact the Parish Office to discuss arrangements.

The oldest part of the present church, The Tower, dates from the 14^th century; its octagonal spire, and two-storey external staircase to the left of the tower was raised in 1693.  The nave, transepts and chancel are of the 19^th century. 

When St Comgall’s Parish Church (Hamilton Road) was built in 1882 the Abbey was “forsaken” (Rankin); though Lavens Ewart noted in 1886, “The old church is carefully preserved and is used as a mortuary chapel, and for occasional children’s services” – a curious combination of functions.

Due to the an increasing population, Bangor Abbey was brought back into use in 1917, and was reconstituted a parish church in 1941.  Extensive renovations and alterations took place in 1960 and to a lesser extent again in 1995, under the supervision of Hobart and Heron.

The main entrance into the church is through the West Door into the porch underneath the Tower where may be found a number of interesting historic memorials. 

Anglo-Norman Stones

Just inside the doorway in the porch may be seen two interesting Anglo-Norman stones which were uncovered in the grounds of the Abbey graveyard.

In 1899, when digging a new grave, the then sexton, William Magowan  turned out a small cross-incised slab 13 inches long by 8 inches wide, the cross being deeply incised in an elaborate manner.  The cross is of an early pattern and is incised about a quarter of an inch deep, and might date from the eleventh or twelfth century.

Stevenstone Stone

Opposite the Stennors Stone is another interesting monument recording the death of William Stevenstone bears two shields upon it, now much worn, one of which doubtless depicts his wife’s arms, and gives her initials as E. E..  The centre portion of the stone bears a rhyming inscription, recording how the deceased had lost his wife at “Walter shore” (Ballywalter), but under what circumstances it does not say.  The inscription reads:

Bradeshaw Stone

In the tower is the oldest tombstone in the church -  that of Thomas Bradeshaw, who died in 1620 and was buried in the ruins of the old abbey (just at the time Lord Clandeboye was making arrangements for building of the then new church).  The inscription records that Thomas Bradeshaw was “some tyme baillie of Bangor”.  The term ‘Baillie’ was most likely the Scottish magisterial office.  The lettering is raised, and the sculpture deeply cut in a remarkable manner.  The centre panel is occupied with three figures, surmounted by the initials of each:  the first, T. B. (Thomas Bradeshaw); the second his wife, A. R.; and the third, his daughter, A. B.   These effigies are doubtless a survival of the old full length recumbent figures.  The Jacobean costume will be noted – the thin waists and the ruffs, and the ‘Baillie’ with his cap.  The more modern skull and cross-bones fill the lower portion of the stone, together with two roses and a heart, which doubtless have some heraldic significance.  Unfortunately portions of the lettering are worn away – the remaining inscription reads:
 

The Rathgael Drum

Above the Bradeshaw Stone now hangs the 'The Rathgael Drum', a reminder of the troubled times of the 1798 rebellion.

James Dowsett Rose-Cleland of Rathgael raised the Rathgael Yeoman Infantry, mainly composed of Orange yeomanry of the district, at his own expense in 1798.

Yeomanry under his command fought at the battles of Saintfield and Ballynahinch.  The drum has the names of these battles inscribed on it.

 

Cleeland and Anesley Stones

A stone set into the north wall records the erection of the spire in 1693 with the inscription:

Another, in the south wall, records the benefaction of Francis Anesley in the same year.  The inscription reads:

James Hamilton and Sophia Mordaut Memorial

Ascetically, the finest monument in the church is that by Scheemakers to James Hamilton and his wife Sophia Mordaut, erected “in accordance with the will of their eldest daughter, Ann, who died May 17, 1760”.  Sheemakers was born in Antwerp in 1691. He came to England, and established himself in St Martin’s Lane. He excelled in busts, three of which by him are in Westminster Abbey, where there is also carved by him, a monument to Shakespeare. There is also a bronze of Edward VI in Guy’s Hospital, and many statues in Stowe Gardens. He died in 1769.

Potterton says it “is of a type often repeated by Sheemakers, with a seated female figure of Religion holding an open book, and medallion portraits of the deceased”.  On a medallion are depicted the two heads in profile, against which is leaning a cherub with inverted torch, whilst a female figure with a book is shown in reverent attitude. A shield of arms – Hamilton impaled with Mordaunt, and the crest of the latter family – surmounts the whole.

The inscription reads:

Passing through the double doors the view opens up into a spacious cross shaped church with its Tudoresque roof and screen in similar style between the nave and the porch in the base of the tower. 

Baptismal Font

Because Holy Baptism is a sign of entering into the Christian life the font is often – as in Bangor Abbey – found near to the door of the church.  As you enter through the West Door the font is on your right-hand side. 

The font in Bangor Abbey dates from 1917.

The Baptismal Font is used to hold water for the Sacrament of Baptism (often called a Christening Service).  Water is poured over the baby or adult three times in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as they are given the gift of the Holy Spirit, a Christian name and are received into the Church. 

Beatrix Hamilton Memorial

Beatrix Hamilton is believed to have been the first wife of Robert Blair, minister at Bangor at the time of her death.

The earliest of the Hamilton memorials the stone has no heraldic or other sculpture whatever, however, the inscription is quaint and poetic.

The inscription reads: 
 

BEATRIX HAMILTON OBIIT ANNO MDCXXXIII OCTOB XIX AETAT SUAE XXVII MOERENS MARITVS CONDIDIT THE BODIE OF BEATRIX HEER BELOW IN HOPE OF GLORIE DOTH NOW SWEETLY REST HER SOVLE HATH SOARD WHER FLOODS OF JOY DOE FLOW OF SION THATS ABOVE A GLORIOVS GVEST WHER CHRYSTAL STREAMS WHER GOLDEN GLANCING STREETS ENJOY A CONSTANT DAY WITHOUT A NIGHT WHER IASPER WALS WHER PORTS OF PEERRLESS PEARLE EMBRODRED ARE WITH THE LAMBS SHYNING LIGHT THITHER I GOE SHE SAID THIS BODIE FRAILE SHAL SHORTLY IN MY COFIN SWEETLY REST ONSE SWEET TO THE BOT NOW TO CHRIST. FAREWELL WEL MEET I FVLLY HAVE WHOM I LOVE BEST O BLESSED COVENANT AVEENE FOR AY WHO WAS BVT A POORE THING EEN YESTERDAY

The Blackwood Stones

The first stone commemorates John Blackwood of Ballyleidy, and the other is to the memory of James Blackwood, merchant and Provost of Bangor.

The inscriptions read: 

James Hamilton - Provost of Bangor Memorial

Memorial stone to James Hamilton, died 1649, a merchant, and Provost of Bangor.

A memorial to James Albert Carey may be seen mid-way down the nave on the South wall.

James Carey was a Precenter of Down and Rector of Bangor 1916-1925; he inspired people to renovate and restore the Abbey church in 1917. 

Carey died in 1925.

The West End

The West End of the Church was extensively altered during the 1959/60 renovation.

The photographs below give some indication of how the church looked before renovation - and how it looks today. 

[click on the organ in the picture below for a closer look]