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Gracehill -Where Time Stands Still |
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In 1833 the village was described in Ordnance Survey Memoirs as " a pretty village of 300, in 30 one storey and 17 two storey houses, and all bespeak industry, comfort and nestness".
© courtesy of Dr. David Johnston
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On land leased from Lord O`Neill, the Ballymena brethren built dwellings similar to the grid-like pattern of villages in Europe, consisting of a centrally situated church - with a separate door for the men and women - surrounded by homes for the congregation, which spread out in a large square.
The square included brethren houses, communal houses for the single sisters, single brethren and widows, and also day and boarding schools for boys and girls.
The influence of a Moravian education is impressive. In Ireland the school at Gracehill was famous. The pupils came from the highest ranks of society, and, at one time, it was said that the mere fact that a boy or girl had been educated at Gracehill, was a passport to the best in life.
The residents followed trades and crafts (such as lacework and line-weaving) for the benefit of the group and in return were provided with a home and the essentials of life. The intention was that the settlement should be self-sufficient and support its local evangelical work.
The final buildings to complete the society were: a farm, a shop, an inn (to provide accommodation for parents conveying their children to and from the boarding schools), and the burial ground.
Many of the stone buildings, dating from 1768-92 boast unusual details such as galleting, where a decorative line of small stones are pressed into the joints between basalt courses.
As part of the European Heritage Open Days scheme, the Ulster Architectual
Heritage Society staged an event on Saturday 20th September 2003, at Gracehill.
The history of the village was brought to life through actors from a living
history company, who stayed in character all day, answering any question
as if they were still in the 18th Century. Children got the chance to create
small works of art, under the guidance of a tutor.
Why not take a look around Gracehill now. Choose to browse through the gallery, or watch an edited version of a 1991 Songs of Praise episode, which came from the village.
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