May 2025

PHOTOGRAPHED USING A FUJI GFX100RF

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St. Elizabeth’s Old Church and Graveyard, Dundonald

St. Elizabeth’s Old Church and its surrounding graveyard in Dundonald, Northern Ireland, are profoundly significant, historically and communally. This site, the area’s original burial ground and a continuous place of worship for centuries, is on Church Green, off Church Road, next to the historic Dundonald Motte and Moat Park. This proximity highlights its deep medieval roots.

Its enduring presence, from ancient origins to its role as an active modern parish, demonstrates remarkable community and religious resilience despite historical upheavals and urbanisation. The site’s continuous occupation and adaptation, even after periods of destruction and rebuilding, show it has been more than a place of worship. It has served as a central anchor for community identity and memory, adapting to changing population needs over time.

The unique character of St. Elizabeth’s comes from the dual presence of its historic and modern structures. The original, now derelict, church building stands within the medieval graveyard, while a newer, active church, built in the 1960s, stands beside it. This juxtaposition offers a tangible timeline of the parish’s evolution and its lasting community role. Observing people tending graves in the old churchyard further highlights a living connection to this ancient site, inviting a closer look at ongoing burial practices and site maintenance.

The Enduring Legacy of St. Elizabeth’s Old Church Graveyard
Medieval Roots and Early History

St. Elizabeth’s Church Graveyard is Dundonald’s first graveyard, with its origins firmly in the medieval period. Archaeological evidence suggests the church building was initially constructed as early as the 14th century. Its antiquity is further emphasised by its immediate proximity to the Dundonald Motte, an impressive earthwork over 10 metres high. Historical records, including the church’s mention in the Papal Valuation of Dondafnald in 1306, confirm its existence by this early period.

Historical accounts suggest the original church was likely destroyed during the Bruce invasion (1315-1318), which also led to the destruction of the motte and bailey. A subsequent inquisition in 1333 reported no buildings in the manor due to war damage. Records are scarce until the 17th century, when the church is described as ruined in the Ulster Visitation Book of 1622. However, a map from 1625-26 by Thomas Raven depicts a roofless church, and an inscription on the 19th-century church tower indicates a rebuilding in 1624, though 1634 is more widely accepted. Subsequent rebuildings occurred in 1771, with a tower added in 1774, and again in 1838.

The 19th-century structure, which still stands within the graveyard today, became redundant with the new church’s construction. The repeated destruction and rebuilding of the church throughout its history, particularly after the Bruce invasion, underscore its profound significance as a community focal point. This persistent commitment to its re-establishment, despite adversity, demonstrates deep cultural and spiritual attachment to the site, marking it as a continuous symbol of community identity and resilience through centuries of change and conflict.

Archaeological Insights into Past Burials

In 2007, Queen’s University Belfast’s School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology, through its Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork, undertook an eight-week excavation and examination of the old church and graveyard. This project, funded by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, aimed to assess the archaeological potential within the former 19th-century church building. The excavation revealed that the area within the church building had been used for human burial before the present redundant church was constructed. A total of 55 articulated human skeletal remains were recovered, alongside a significant quantity of disarticulated human bone.

Detailed analysis of these remains indicated a burial phase likely between the late 15th and mid-17th centuries AD. Burials were generally found in a supine position, facing east, though some variations existed, such as a juvenile burial in a flexed position. Evidence of both shroud and coffin burials was discovered, with some instances where bodies appeared to have been wrapped in a shroud and then placed within a coffin. Notably, coins were found with two child burials, likely deposited between the early 1640s and mid-1650s, providing crucial dating evidence. The excavated population included individuals of all ages and sexes, with a high proportion of infants and no discernible separation based on sex or age within the burial ground.

Osteological analysis provided insights into past health and societal conditions, revealing evidence of diseases such as rickets, scurvy, and degenerative joint disease, as well as violent trauma in some male skeletons. The excavated remains are slated to be returned to the Church of Ireland at St. Elizabeth’s Church for reinterment. The archaeological findings, particularly the presence of coins dating to the mid-17th century within burials inside the church, suggest that interments continued within the church building even after its 1634 reconstruction. This indicates a complex and evolving use of sacred space, where the physical structure, even when rebuilt, retained its function as a burial site, reflecting a continuity of tradition and perhaps the high status associated with burial ad sanctos (near the saints or within the church).

The Cleland Mausoleum and its Connection to Stormont Castle

A prominent feature within St. Elizabeth’s Church Graveyard is the Cleland Mausoleum, a substantial memorial erected in 1842 to Samuel Cleland. This impressive structure was commissioned by his wife at a considerable cost of £2,000. A key aspect of the mausoleum’s design and placement was its deliberate height, chosen so it could be seen from the Cleland family home, Stormont Castle.

Stormont Castle itself has a rich history, having been built around 1830 for the Reverend John Cleland, Samuel’s father. Samuel Cleland inherited the estate in 1834 but met a tragic end in 1842 while overseeing wall demolition on the grounds. His widow, Elizabeth, subsequently managed the Stormont Estate until approximately 1860. During her tenure, the initially plain house underwent extensive transformation into the Scots Baronial ‘Stormont Castle’ through the addition of extensions, turrets, and towers. The Cleland family continued to reside at Stormont Castle until 1893, after which the mansion was rented out and eventually purchased by the newly-formed Northern Ireland Parliament in 1921 for £21,000, becoming a significant governmental building.

The deliberate placement and significant cost of the Cleland Mausoleum, visible from Stormont Castle, reflect not only a profound personal memorial but also a powerful statement of the Cleland family’s social status, wealth, and enduring influence within the Dundonald landscape. The expenditure of £2,000 in 1842 was an immense sum, indicative of considerable wealth, and the choice to make the mausoleum visible from their family seat served as a permanent, public testament to the family’s presence, power, and legacy, reinforcing their social standing and desire for a lasting imprint on the area.

The Opening of Dundonald Cemetery

Despite its long history, St. Elizabeth’s Church Graveyard was relatively small. By the late 19th century, Belfast’s population was experiencing rapid growth, placing immense pressure on existing burial grounds across the city. Recognising the urgent need for more grave space, Belfast City Council, then known as the Belfast Corporation, decided in 1895 to establish a larger municipal burial ground. Consequently, in 1897, 45 acres of land at Ballymiscaw, Dundonald, were acquired for £5,600.

The larger Dundonald Cemetery officially opened on 19th September 1905, with the first burial taking place on that date. This development marked a significant shift in burial provision for the burgeoning urban area, transitioning from smaller, church-managed graveyards to larger, municipally-run cemeteries designed to accommodate a rapidly increasing population. The transition from St. Elizabeth’s Old Church Graveyard to the larger Dundonald Cemetery exemplifies a broader societal shift from localised, church-centric burial practices to a more centralised, municipal approach driven by rapid urbanisation and public health concerns. This move from ecclesiastical control to a public health and civic responsibility was a common trend in industrialising cities across the United Kingdom.

The Modern St. Elizabeth’s Church: A Living Parish
Construction and Evolution

The current St. Elizabeth’s Church building, situated directly beside the old churchyard, functions as an active Anglican Christian parish church under the Church of Ireland. This modern structure was rebuilt on a new site adjacent to the original in 1966, specifically to accommodate an increased congregation. The 19th-century church building, which still stands within the graveyard, became redundant following the construction of the new church and was subsequently repurposed as a parish hall. At the time of the 2007 archaeological excavation, it was noted to be in a poor state of repair. More recently, in 2014, the modern church building underwent further construction, which included significant enhancements such as a new car park and an updated front exterior.

The construction of the new church in 1966, driven by an “increased congregation,” demonstrates the ongoing vitality and adaptive capacity of the St. Elizabeth’s parish in response to population shifts and community growth in Dundonald. This indicates that St. Elizabeth’s is not merely a historical relic but a thriving religious institution that has adapted its physical infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of its parishioners, growing with Dundonald as it expanded into a suburb of Belfast.

Community and Worship

St. Elizabeth’s Church actively serves its local congregation through regular Sunday services, including a 10:30 am morning service that typically lasts approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. Embracing modern outreach methods, this service is also streamed online via the church’s YouTube Channel. Recognising the importance of family engagement, the church provides a crèche for young children and various Sunday School programmes during term time. Additionally, an informal evening gathering known as “TASTE” takes place at 6:30 pm, incorporating music, food, and Bible exploration, thereby fostering friendship and faith within the community. These diverse activities highlight the church’s role as a vibrant community centre that extends beyond traditional Sunday worship.

Burials in the Old Churchyard: Current Practices and Family Plots
Understanding Historic Graveyard Practices

Historically, churchyards such as St. Elizabeth’s were the primary burial grounds for local communities, often with families holding perpetual rights to specific plots. Over time, as populations grew and available space became limited, many older churchyards ceased offering new plot sales but frequently continued to permit interments in existing family graves. This approach allowed for the continuation of familial connections to ancestral burial sites.

St. Elizabeth’s Old Churchyard’s Status and Continued Interments

The observation of someone tending a grave in the old churchyard directly addresses a pertinent question about ongoing burials. While St. Elizabeth’s Church Graveyard was indeed the first in Dundonald and its relatively small size led to the opening of the larger Dundonald Cemetery in 1905, this does not necessarily mean that burials have ceased entirely at the older site. The Church of Ireland website lists “Dundonald St Elizabeth, Diocese of Down & Dromore” as an “active Anglican Christian parish church,” and the graveyard is described as part of this active parish. This designation implies ongoing management and, very likely, continued use for existing family plots.

A significant parallel can be drawn with Dundonald Cemetery, which, despite opening in 1905 and being a “closed cemetery” for new plots, explicitly states that “burials still take place in existing graves.” Given the historical context and practices of churchyards, it is highly probable that St. Elizabeth’s Old Churchyard operates under a similar principle: new plots are not available, but interments continue for those with pre-existing family rights within established graves. The reinterment of the human remains excavated by Queen’s University Belfast archaeologists by the Church of Ireland at St. Elizabeth’s Church further confirms the church’s ongoing custodianship and the site’s continued function as a place of burial. The continued tending of graves and the reinterment of excavated remains, despite the opening of a larger municipal cemetery, highlight the enduring cultural and familial significance of the original churchyard as a place of ancestral connection, rather than merely a historical relic. The act of tending a grave is a deeply personal and familial ritual, signifying an ongoing connection to ancestors, and the policy of allowing burials in existing plots preserves this intergenerational link, demonstrating profound respect for the deceased and the sacred nature of the ground.

Accessing Burial Records

For records pertaining to burials in Dundonald Cemetery, which opened in 1905, Belfast City Council provides an online search facility for records from that year onwards. This facility allows users to search by surname, forename, or year of death/burial and provides details such as full name, age, last place of residence, date of burial, and grave location. However, St. Elizabeth’s Old Church Graveyard is notably not listed among the cemeteries for which Belfast City Council holds records. This strongly suggests that records for the old churchyard are likely maintained directly by the St. Elizabeth’s Church of Ireland parish itself, or potentially by local historical societies. Accessing these older, church-held records would typically require direct contact with the parish or a visit to local archives, as they are not centralised in the same manner as municipal cemetery records. The Northern Ireland Family History Society (NIFHS) may also hold or direct individuals to relevant graveyard records for various counties.

Maintenance and Financing of the Site
Responsibilities for Historic Churchyards

The maintenance and financing of historic churchyards typically involve a shared responsibility between ecclesiastical bodies, in this case, the Church of Ireland, and, increasingly, local authorities, especially where sites hold public access or significant heritage value. The Church of Ireland, as the governing body for St. Elizabeth’s parish, holds primary responsibility for the upkeep of its church and the associated churchyard. This encompasses general grounds maintenance, structural repairs to the old church building, and ensuring the site remains accessible and respectful.

Local Authority Involvement

While St. Elizabeth’s Old Church Graveyard is a Church of Ireland property, the local council, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC), manages the adjacent Moat Park, including its maintenance and events. LCCC also operates a Cemeteries Administration Office responsible for the general management, regulation, and control of several other cemeteries within its jurisdiction, such as Lisburn New Cemetery and Blaris Old Graveyard. However, St. Elizabeth’s Old Church Graveyard is not explicitly listed among the cemeteries directly managed by LCCC. This indicates that direct, day-to-day maintenance and financial responsibility for the churchyard primarily rests with the St. Elizabeth’s Church of Ireland parish.

Nevertheless, local councils often have broader responsibilities for public spaces and heritage assets within their area. For instance, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency provided funding for the archaeological work conducted at the site, indicating a governmental interest in its preservation. Furthermore, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) lists “Dundonald (St. Elizabeth) Church Of Ireland Churchyard” as containing Commonwealth burials, implying their involvement in the maintenance of those specific graves. The division of responsibility for maintenance, with the Church of Ireland likely holding primary oversight and local councils and heritage bodies providing support for specific aspects (e.g., the adjacent park, archaeological work, war graves), highlights the complex governance model for historic sites that serve both religious and public functions. This multi-agency involvement, while potentially complex, also provides diverse funding streams and expertise, which is crucial for the long-term preservation of such a significant heritage asset.

Funding for Preservation and Maintenance

General maintenance of the churchyard, including groundskeeping and minor repairs, is typically funded by the St. Elizabeth’s Church of Ireland parish through its regular income, donations, and dedicated fundraising efforts. For specific projects, such as the archaeological excavations, external funding bodies like the Northern Ireland Environment Agency play a crucial role. This underscores the importance of heritage grants for significant conservation or research initiatives. Individual families with plots in the churchyard traditionally maintain their specific graves, which accounts for the observation of grave tending. This personal investment in maintenance represents a significant, albeit decentralised, source of care for the site. For Commonwealth War Graves specifically, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) assumes responsibility for their maintenance.

Conclusion
St. Elizabeth’s Old Church and Graveyard in Dundonald stands as a remarkable testament to centuries of local history, faith, and community resilience. From its medieval origins as Dundonald’s first burial ground, enduring destruction and numerous rebuildings, to its present-day role as a cherished heritage site alongside an active modern parish, the site offers a rich tapestry of human experience. The prominent Cleland Mausoleum serves as a powerful reminder of the area’s gentry and their lasting impact on the landscape, visible from the historic Stormont Castle. The opening of the larger Dundonald Cemetery marked a significant evolution in burial practices driven by urban growth, yet the old churchyard continues to hold deep familial and historical significance.

The ongoing presence of the active St. Elizabeth’s Church, serving a contemporary congregation with modern services and programmes, ensures the site remains a living heart of the community. While new burials are no longer offered in the old churchyard, the continued tending of family plots and the reinterment of archaeological remains underscore its enduring role as a sacred space for remembrance and ancestral connection. The complex web of maintenance responsibilities, involving the Church of Ireland, local councils, and heritage bodies, reflects the multifaceted value of this site as both a religious institution and a public historical asset. St. Elizabeth’s is not merely a collection of old stones but a dynamic nexus where past and present continually intertwine.

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