Scots Church Hall, 97-101 Russell Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Total copies: 1
Title:
Scots Church Hall, 97-101 Russell Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 110732
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
Part of:
Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
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UnrestrictedOpen access.
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UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
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RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2024:__________________________________________________DATE: 1928;ASSOCIATIONS: General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria;DESIGNER: William. M ShieldsPeriod: Inter-War________________GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM_______________________________________VICTORIAN HERITAGE INVENTORY H7822-1754Land obtained by Presbyterians, 1838. 1866 - building on site.1877 & 1888 - 2 x 2 storey buildings, 3 storey building (shops)_______________________________________WIKIPEDIA, THE FREE ENCYCLOPEDIA, 2021https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scots%27_Church,_MelbourneJames Forbes built a simple manse (minister's house) on the site where the Assembly Hall now stands and was later reimbursed. It was replaced by a two-storey manse in 1852 during the ministry of the Reverend Irving Hetherington.[3] The manse was sold to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria for 5,000 pounds in 1897, and in 1914–15 the Assembly Hall was erected. In 2008 the Assembly Hall was bought by the Scots' Church Properties Trust to be renovated for use as congregational offices and meeting halls following the proposed demolition of The Scots' Church Hall in Russell Street and the heritage listed Scots' Church Car Park and the redevelopment of the site with a 10-story building.…._______________________________________Urban.comAlistair Walsh December 8, 2020https://www.urban.com.au/expert-insights/investing/heritage-group-to-protest-against-demolition-of-scots-church-hall-in-melbourne-cbdHeritage group to protest against demolition of Scots Church Hall in Melbourne CBD_______________________________________FACEBOOK 2018https://www.facebook.com/MelbourneHeritageAction/photos/a.137050529674850/1770263826353504/_______________________________________MELBOURNE BUILDINGS WEB SITEhttps://melbournebuildings.com/scots-church-hall-99-101-russell-street-melbourne/The three storey hall was built neighbouring Scots Church in the interwar commercial palazzo style in rendered reinforced concrete. It features a prominent piano nobile base with arched windows and keystones. It is currently destined for demolition, so I thought I’d make an effort to document it before the swing of the wrecking ball so to speak.The building was an extension of the church designed as additional space for its community meetings. The architect was William M Shields. Shields was also responsible (along with Louis Williams for a 1938 gothic style rear extension to nearby Assembly Hall connecting to Scots church) and it opened on 14 March, 1928.1 Typical of the style, the upper storeys are stripped plain to the cornice. The name of the hall is enscribed on the parapet.Modernisations occurred from the 1970s, including the present grey colour scheme with the hall space reworked and suspended office ceilings put in place.Scots Church has sought to demolish the hall to make way for a development. In 1996 it applied to demolish Scots Hall to construct a 5 star hotel. However the hotel plan never came to fruition.In 2007, planning minister Justin Madden issued permits for the building’s demolition (along with three other neighbouring pre-World War II buildings) for a proposed modern 10 storey curtain wall glass office building. This development also went on hold during the Global Financial Crisis, though the hall building was finally demolished in late 2012 when construction commenced.NOTESMelbourne City Heritage Watch report concerning Amendment L216 to the Melbourne Planning Scheme, 1996_______________________________________NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)1927The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954)Wednesday 11 May 1927 - Page 23https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/243917884NEW SCOTS CHURCH HALLBuilding May Cost £17,000The new- Scots Church Hall, which is being erected on land with a front age of 42 feet 6 ' inches to Russell street, adjoining- the church on the north side, will cost, when furnished, It is estimated, 16,000 or £17,000. The congregation has subscribed between £1000 and £5000 to cover interest: charges for live years. ! It is hoped that, tho hall may be ready for .occupation in January 1928. It will not be made available for public hire, but will be solely for the use of the congregation and societies connected with the church.These are Scots Church District Association, Presbyterian and Scots Church Joint Mission, Presbyterian and Scots Church Children's Aid Society, and Scots Church Study Circle. Presbyterian and Scots Church Joint Mission, work includes regular mid- week meetings and … services on Sundays.From the hall, lodging houses and institutions for men within the city area are visited, and the helping hand held out to those whose need is deepest.The building will be constructed of reinforced concrete. The ground floor will be occupied by church offices and meeting rooms of the various societies; the hall,, to seat 450 persona, will be on the first floor, while the care taker's quarters will be on the second floor. Provision has been mado for the addition of further floors if required. The building was designed- by Mr W. M Shields, architect, Melbourne.HISTORIC BUILDINGThe building now being demolished to make- room for a fine modern church hall is one of the oldest buildings of the kind In Melbourne. It has historic interest, and its passing from the city scene will 'recall memories of boyhood perhaps to men of the serene ago, when memories are most treasured. "It is one of the strongest and most firmly built structures that I have dealt with in my business as a building demolisher " said Mr E. L. Stone, referring lo the old hall. "Walls of the bottom storey were built of blue- stone of great thickness.. The stair case from first to second floors was made of solid red gum blocks, eight feet in length. Such wooden stairways are very rare in Melbourne buildings." Beneath tho bottom floor of the old building, several coins were found, including a threepenny piece dated 1845 and a- token dated 1862.1928https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3918088SCOTS CHURCH HALL OPENED.The new parish hall adjoining Scots Church in Russell street was declared open yesterday afternoon in the presence of a large number of church members. In the centre of the group is the Rev. Dr. Borland, on whoseright is Miss Janet Henderson, who declared the hall open…
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1266691
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 110732 | 1 JPEG : 278 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |