Welsh Presbyterian Church or Welsh Calvinistic Church also Welsh Church, 320-330 La Trobe Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
Archives
Total copies: 1
Title:
Welsh Presbyterian Church or Welsh Calvinistic Church also Welsh Church, 320-330 La Trobe Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 105482
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
Part of:
Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
Access restrictions:
UnrestrictedOpen access.
Use restrictions:
UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
General notes:
RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2021:__________________________________________________DATE: 1871; ASSOCIATIONS: Welsh Presbyterian Church;DESIGNER: CROUCH and WILSONPeriod: Early VictorianStyle: Gothic RevivalMaterials: Stone wallsCrown grant to church 1854.VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTER H0536Statement of SignificanceWhat is significant?The Welsh Church, Melbourne, was built in 1871 to a Gothic Revival design by the notable architectural firm Crouch and Wilson, who were probably the favoured architects for Methodist churches in Victoria. The contractor was Mr Ireland. The church was constructed of rendered brick on an axed bluestone base, with shallow relief towers [two octagonal relief buttresses] with pointed openings below the spire. The pointed, stained-glass windows were designed by the Melbourne manufacturers Ferguson, Urie and Lyon. Notable interior elements include the arrangement of pews from a circular to a straight pattern, and a raked floor, which is characteristic of Nonconformist churches.The tradition of Welsh Calvinist Methodism began in Wales in 1735, with the revival led by Howell Harris, which predated the English Methodism of John Wesley by three years. Although they adopted some of Wesley's teachings, and were initially established within the Established Church of England, the Welsh Calvinist Methodists declared their independence (as Nonconformists) in 1811 due to doctrinal differences. A community of Welsh Calvinist Methodists was formed in Melbourne in the early 1850s; the early Welsh population was made up largely of (male) gold miners. A number of Welsh Calvinist Methodist communities were established on the goldfields where Welsh churches were also established, notably in Ballarat, Sebastopol and Maldon. Welsh miners had gathered for worship at the Collins Street Baptist Church in December 1852 and from 1853 at the Common School in Collins Street, but in 1854 a site in La Trobe Street was granted by the government for the designated purpose of a Welsh Calvinist Methodist Church. A small chapel was built on this site in 1856, with the words 'Welsh Chapel' written in gilt letters above the door. The Welsh language was an important element of church services, as was music and singing. Services were delivered in both Welsh and English.The early churches built by the Welsh Calvinist Methodists, like the other Methodist (and Nonconformist) denominations, were relatively simple and unadorned. The Welsh Church in La Trobe Street, Melbourne, described in 1871 as a neat, unpretentious building, has nevertheless embraced a modest degree of gothic ornamentation that is characteristic of the Victorian era in which it was built.St David's Hall, which comprises a hall and classrooms, occupies a site behind the church. Built partly using unemployed labourers, this opened in 1893 for use as a meeting room and for children's Sunday School lessons. It was designed by architect S.W.L. Powell and the building contractor was John Jones. St David's Hall was also connected with the development of a teaching hospital run by women for women and children. Pioneering woman doctor Dr Constance Stone, whose husband was a minister at the Welsh Church, commenced the campaign for the hospital in this hall in 1896.How is it significant?The Welsh Church and Hall, Melbourne, are of architectural and historical significance to the State of Victoria.Why is it significant?The Welsh Church, Melbourne, is of architectural significance as a fine example of the work of the architectural practice Crouch and Wilson. It is a notable example of Gothic Revival design, with elements including the octagonal relief buttresses and lancet windows. The Welsh Church is also significant for its stained-glass windows which were designed by the notable stained-glass window manufacturers, Ferguson, Urie and Lyon.The Welsh Church and Hall, Melbourne, are of historical significance because of their long and important and association with Welsh cultural and religious traditions in Melbourne and Victoria. The site has been associated with the Welsh community in Melbourne since 1854, and continues to be used for this purpose. The church is probably the best example of only a few surviving Welsh churches that were established in Victoria in the mid-nineteenth century, following the arrival of large numbers of gold-rush immigrants from Wales. It is one of the few churches in Australia where services continue to be given in the Welsh language. It is historically and architecturally significant for its arrangement of pews and the raked floor, which expresses the democratic values espoused by the Nonconformist churches.The site is also historically significant for its association with efforts in the late 1890s to establish in Melbourne a hospital run by for women and children, and in this capacity for its association with the pioneering woman medical practitioner, Constance Stone.[Online Data Upgrade Project - 2004].GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites source 81 Yuncken Freeman Architects P/L 1976.. Historic Buildings Preservation Council Melbourne CBD Study Area 5, page 75.NATIONAL TRUST OF AUSTRALIA (VIC)Church Statement of Significance: A church which became a principal focus of Welsh life in Victoria since its construction in 1871 and interesting for the arrangement of pews which changes from straight to curved along the length of the raked nave floor. It was designed by Charles Webb and is similar to his Swanston Street Church of Christ 1863 in its facade arrangement of central doorway, traceried window and flanking turrets.Classified: 27/10/1984Organ Statement of Significance: A two-manual organ of 19 speaking stops built by the Hawthorn organ builder Frederick Taylor, and later electrified by George Fincham & Sons. The instrument retains its fine case and original tonal scheme and is a rare example of a Taylor organ which has not sustained major tonal alterations.Classified: Regional 19/08/1992.HERITAGE BRANCH, MINISTRY FOR PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT 1987 CITY OF MELBOURNE CENTRAL CITY NOTABLE BUILDINGS CITATIONSOne of the very few Welsh Calvanist Churches still operating in Victoria, this simple Gothic Revival building was constructed in 1871 to a design by the architect Charles Webb and remains as an indicator of the diverse cultural origins of the City of Melbourne.VICTORIAN HERITAGE INVENTORY1866 map - small building on site. Land granted to Welsh Calvinistic Church 1854.1855 map shows land reserved for church. Extant church constructed 1871.1880 Panorama(s) show the church.VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTERThe draft statement of significance and the above history were produced as part of an Online Date Upgrade Project 2004. Sources were as follows:Age, 1 January 1872.Argus, 1 January 1872.[the above refs were contributed by Mr Evan Hughes, 10 Panoramic Road Nth Balwyn 3104]Lewis, Miles. Victorian Churches (1991), pp. 11-12.?£40,000 City Lease?, undated news clipping from the Melbourne Herald, c.1920s. [HV file ?Welsh Church?, part 2]Illustrated Australia News, 1882 ? sketch depicting oblique view of Melbourne, with Welsh Church visible.Evans, Gareth David. The history of the first century of the Melbourne Welsh Church, 1871-1971 : one hundred years of fellowship (Welsh Church, Melbourne 1971?).http://www.southernhealth.org.au/pr_stories/history/history_home.htmhttp://www.lamp.ac.uk/oz/hughes/welshvic.htmlAssociated People:REV W M EVANS REV EGRYN JONES DR CONSTANCE STONE.NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)1867MARRIAGE. .HUGHES -HUGHES - On the 28th inst, at the welsh Presbyterian Church, Latrobe-street, by the Rev. William Thomas, Mr. John Hughes, Landsborough (late of Llanllechid, Carnarvonshire) to Miss Jane Hughes, Melbourne (late of Llanberris), North Wales1871The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)Monday 3 April 1871 - Page 8THE WELSH CHURCH, Latrobe-street.-The ANNUAL ASSOCIATION will be held at the above place, commencing at 7 o'clock Saturday evening, the 8th of April, 1871 when sermons will be delivered. The meetings held the following Sunday as usual.The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)Friday 18 August 1871 - Page 2https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5853539CROUCH and WILSON, architects, Invite TENDERS for the ERECTION of Welsh Presbyterian CHURCH in Latrobe-street. Drawings and specification may be seen at their office 40 Elizabeth-streetThe Argus Mon 30 Oct 1871 Page 3 Advertisinghttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5856428CROUCH and WILSON, architects, invite TENDERS for PREPARING and Fixing SEATS. &c, the now Welsh Presbyterian Church, Latrobe street. Drawings and specifications may be soon at their offices, 10 Elizabeth-street.The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)Friday 29 December 1871 - Page 8https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5858294WELSH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Latrobe street, Melbourne-The OPENING SERVICES will be held at7pm. Saturday next, when Rev. W. M. EVANS will preach. On Sunday special services will be held, when Rev. R. T Roberts, Spencer Williams, W. Thomas, and W. M. Evans will preach, morning, afternoon, and evening. On Monday Evening a Tea Meeting will be held, when members of the Sebastopol and Ballarat Choir will give voice tone of music. Addresses will be delivered by Welsh and EnglishTea on table at 6 p.m.1872The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)Saturday 6 April 1872 - Page 4CROUCH and WILSON, architects, Invite TENDERS tor FENCING reserve for Welsh Presbyterian Church, in Pelham-Street, Carlton. Particulars at their offices, 40 Elizabeth street.1918WELSH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Latrobe St -Dr. D. Egryn Jones, 11 a.m., 7 p.m.(Welsh). All seats free.
Related material link:
Topics:
Places:
Form/Genre:
Record types:
Research and reports
Record number:
1248712
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 105482 | 1 PDF : 866 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |