Wesleyan Sunday School. 394-404 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne
Butler, Graeme18/1/1985
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Total copies: 1
Title:
Wesleyan Sunday School. 394-404 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
18/1/1985
Reference number:
BIF-NORTH 108019
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
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UnrestrictedOpen access.
Use restrictions:
UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
General notes:
GRAEME BUTLER 1983, CONSERVATION STUDY FOR THE CITY OF MELBOURNE OF NORTH AND WEST MELBOURNEGrading as at 1985 : BPeriod : Early Victorian (1864-65)Grantee/Reserve: Wesleyan Reserve 1855History- This building appears to have been built in 1864-5 on part of a larger site which is said to have been occupied by the Wesleyans since 1853, but was granted to them in 1855. The earliest building was purported to be a wooden church built in 1853, which was operated during the week by Mrs. Rosalie Hare probably as a 'dame' school for girls. A boys school is said to have opened in 1854 [Vision and Realisation vol 3 p 35] and they continued separately under Mrs. Hare and William Lelean respectively until 1874, when they amalgamated to become State School no 459 known as North Melbourne (Hotham) ; this school in turn closing in 1882.Architects, Crouch and Wilson, called for tenders for, first, this school in 1864 (which presumably was also used as a church) in 1864, the church in 1868 and tower in 1871. A panoramic view of Melbourne published in 1880 [R Jenny Panorama 1880] shows this building and the parsonage at the northern extremity, whilst another of c1872-4 shows the north side of the building.Around the time the school was built, the clergyman was the Rev William D Lelean, who was succeeded by Rev W Fitchett, J W Crisp and John F Horseley.Description- An Italian Romanesque flavoured polychrome brick building with a transverse slated gable roof, a central gabled porch and arched windows with cream brick quoins and voussoirs. Similar cream quoins, corbelling and dentils are used at the corners, eaves and gables to provide restrained structural ornament. Occuli are placed in the gables and a bellcote occupies the western gable apex. A gabled window bay was central to the west end.Integrity - Generally original; presumedly originally it was picket fenced; new doorways and new sign attached.Streetscape - Isolated corner building but still relates to the opposite St. Mary's in general form, former use and detail.Significance- Architecturally, it is an early and near original example of an ecclesiastical polychrome Romanesque style which was to be popularised by the Melbourne Independent church (1866-7) but is seen in earlier churches, albeit in a Gothic form. This is perhaps the oldest (unpainted) polychrome Romanesque styled church building in the metropolitan area: of high regional importance. Historically, the second oldest church or public building in the area; and the only building left of the once extensive Wesleyan complex: of high local importance.Generally original; presumably originally it was picket fenced; new doorways and new sign attached.Recommendations- Repaint trim in original or typical colours;- consider building an arrow-head timber picket fence (or the original);- consider zoning provisions to allow a greater use range;- remove sign and consider replacement with a border-frame on a standard, lettered as guidelines;- consider restoration of doorways.References:(RB= Rate book; D= Melbourne or Victoria Directory; Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works =MMBW)1. (a) Historic Buildings of Victoria , Saunders p. 116( b) Da1y , p , 18(c) D. 18612. Vision and Realisation (V. &R.) Vol. 3 p.353. D. 18704 . V& R. op. cit ,5. (a) Argus 5/9 /1868: 3,16/6/1871:2, 3/9/1864:7(b) 'Hotham' (SLV) Mca 713; R. Jenny , Panorama 1880(c) D. 1865(d) MMBW Recor d Plan 31 (1896)6. D. 1890; D. 1885; D. 1880; D. 1868___________________________NotesIn 1985, it was used as part of the J H Ralph's wholesale butcher business. In 1992, it was converted into units.
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Record number:
1602702
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 108019+ | 1 PDF : 1113 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |