St Stephen’s Church EHOD 2025

About

St Stephen’s Church, a hidden Victorian gem on Millfield in the centre of Belfast, will surprise you from the moment you walk through the door. Behind the 1960’s facade is a beautiful interior from 1869. Hear some of the history, see the biggest collection of stained glass windows created by local renowned artist Daniel Braniff and enjoy warm hospitality and refreshments. A mid-Victorian barn type church, St Stephen’s was originally constructed in 1868-69 from designs by Sir Thomas Drew (1838-1910). Drew, a Dublin-based architect but originally born in Belfast, was an apprentice to Charles Lanyon. St. Stephen’s Church of Ireland was the first new church building Drew completed as diocesan architect, his career culminating in his design for St. Anne’s Cathedral which he completed in 1904. Remarkably the church survived the Blitz of Belfast in 1941 when much of Millfield Street was demolished. Patton noted the significance of the interior of the church and records that St. Stephen’s contains ‘the finest collection in the province of stained glass by Daniel Braniff’ (Patton, p. 236). St. Stephen’s Church of Ireland was listed in 1992 and since that time has continued to be utilised as a house of worship. Patton, M., ‘Central Belfast: An historical gazetteer’ Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1993. The church has a rich history, the Vestry is built over a well which served the area in Victorian times and the church hall which is now demolished was not only a space for social and spiritual activities but originally an Elementary School and in later years a base for British Forces during ‘the troubles’. Worship continues in St Stephen’s today and recent modifications have ensured that St Stephen’s Church is fit for modern day worship and ministry.