Another location from a recent road trip, this is St. Joesphs Chapel, part of Gartland House.
Known originally as Garpel House then Barr House before becoming Garthland House, the regal residence was acquired by the Macdowall family who came initially from Garthland in Wigtownshire and were descended from the Lords of Galloway. During the mid-1930s, Henry Macdowall sold it to the Mill Hill Foreign Missionary Society that was founded. Garthland House was renamed St Jospeh's College by the Society and, during its heyday, around 30 young men were students there.
A three-storey dormitory block was added in 1936 followed by a beautiful brick-red chapel in 1943. Both the sleeping quarters and the chapel can still be seen today although, like the house, they have fallen into disrepair and are but fragments of their former selves.
Despite its ruinous state, the chapel exudes a powerful aura, which conjures up visions of former days when it was used as a place of prayer and meditation for the trainee priests as well as by the people of Lochwinnoch who worshipped there until the construction of Our Lady of Fatima Church in the village in 1955.
Its most outstanding features were stained-glass windows, pink and black altar pieces, wooden pews and mosaic wall panels, exterior wall of the chapel. Portraying the majestic figure of St Joseph, the serene sculpture confronts visitors when they travel down the tree-lined avenue to the former college from the Largs Road.
Gartland Chapel, in the corner you can see the orphanage, its severely damaged and treacherous inside!
The Chapel itself is glorious!
There are several mini altars set off from the main chapel itself
The old organ lays in the middle of the floor.
The main altar
Stain-glass window
Main chapel cross
The main altar has small crosses engraved into the marble
Looking back to the entrance
We waited until darkness came to get some pretty nice shots of the altar
Tweety is a alcoholic!
