St Pauls Cathedral, 2-40 Swanston Street & 200-208 Flinders Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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St Pauls Cathedral, 2-40 Swanston Street & 200-208 Flinders Street, Melbourne
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Date of work:
1985
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BIF-CITY 110760 1
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Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
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Graphic materialsTextual material
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Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
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RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2024:__________________________________________________DATE: 1880-1891, 1926 ;ASSOCIATIONS: Church of England, Melbourne Diocese;DESIGNERS: Butterfield, William (London); Terry & Oakden; Reed, Henderson & Smart; Reed, Smart & Tappin; James BarrBUILDERS: Clements Langford 1926-Period: Victorian/ Inter-War___________________________VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTER H0018Statement of SignificanceLast Updated: 31/05/1999What is significant?In 1848 at the request of the newly arrived Charles Perry, first Bishop of Melbourne, Superintendent C J La Trobe signed an Order-in-Council granting the present site of St Paul's Cathedral to the Church. A very substantial stone parish church was erected on the site together with parsonage and school. This first St Pauls Church which opened on 5 December 1852.These buildings survived until 1884 when they were demolished to make way for the new Cathedral, the foundation stone of which had been laid four years earlier on 13 April 1880, a little north of St Pauls Church by His Excellency, the Marquis of Normanby. The Cathedral, with the exception of the towers, Cathedral Offices, and Chapter House, was designed by the eminent English architect William Butterfield (1814-1900). Butterfield never saw the Cathedral or visited Melbourne, the supervision being carried out by the Melbourne architects Terry and Oakden, and after Butterfield's resignation in 1884, by Joseph Reed. Plans for the Cathedral Offices and Chapter House prepared by Joseph Reed were accepted by the Cathedral Erection Board in 1889.After the death of Joseph Reed on 29 April 1890, Mr F J Smart was appointed architect for the Cathedral and Offices.On 23 January 1891 the new Cathedral was consecrated and the Holy Communion celebrated by the Right Reverend Field Flowers Goe, third Bishop of Melbourne. The Cathedral Offices were progressively occupied in 1891, the Choir School taking occupation of part of the building in October 1891. The building of the towers and spires was begun on 18 April 1926. The three towers and spire were designed by Sydney architect James Barr and built by Clements Langford. On 30 April 1933 a Service of Thanks for the completion of the Cathedral was held.St Pauls Cathedral is high Victorian Gothic, with poly textured finish Waurn Ponds and Barrabool sandstone cladding. The horizontally striped interior derived from Siena Cathedral, is lavishly fitted out with encaustic tiled floor and wainscoting, stained glass by Clayton and Bell of London, a reredos of Derbyshire spa, Devonshire marble and Venetian glass mosaic, and furniture and fittings of Blackwood. The organ was built by T C Lewis, London in 1890, rebuilt in 1929 by Hill, Norman and Beard of Clifton Hill, and restored in 1989-90 by Harrison and Harrison, Durham. The Cathedral Offices of four stories in ecclesiastical Gothic style are situated between the Chapter house and the Cathedral.How is it significant?St Pauls Cathedral Precinct is of architectural, historic and scientific (technical) importance to the state of Victoria.Why is it significant?St Pauls Cathedral is of architectural importance as a unique example in Australia of a high Victorian Gothic Revival architecture of the eminent English avant garde architect of his age William Butterfield (1814-1900). The Chapter House and Cathedral Offices designed by prominent Melbourne architect Joseph Reed (1823-1890) on a smaller scale than the Cathedral, contribute to form a cohesive group. The Gateway beneath the Chapter House and the associated shops and walkway constitute a pedestrian route providing a townscape vista of European character rare in Australia. The Chapter House Chamber with its noble proportions and timber vaulted ceiling is an important interior by Joseph Reed.The St Pauls Cathedral precinct is of great historical importance as the long standing focus of the Church of England in Victoria.The organ is of scientific (technical) and historical significance as the most important work, along with the 1897 Lewis organ in Southwark Cathedral, London, of its builder, T C Lewis to survive , retaining all of the original pipework, windchests, wind system, swell boxes, and casework. Lewis was among the most important organ builders in late 19th century Europe.___________________________GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites source 78 MURPHY ARCHITECTS, JOHN AND PHYLLIS 1976. HISTORIC BUILDINGS STUDY OF PART OF THE C.B.D. MELBOURNE : { AREA 1} WITH MURPHY, JOCK, FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS PRESERVATION COUNCIL: 1___________________________Victorian Heritage Inventory H7822-1920 200-208 FLINDERS STREETFirst church on this site commenced in 1850 & demolished in 1880 to make way for the present structure which was completed 1891. 1850, 1866 maps show buildings on site.1877 map - 3 houses, St Paul's Church, High School & yards.1888 - Cathedral, Hall, Parsonage & another building.1905 - Cathedral, new hall, 3 shops to Flinders Lane.___________________________LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEX10107 Gill, John; VIC Churches 1854 3 15-John GILL tenders wanted - completing the Tower of St Paul's Church, MelbArgus 15.3.1854 p 326823 Webb, Charles; VIC Houses 1859 8 25 -Charles WebbTenders wanted - erection of a parsonage to St Paul's Church, Swanston Street.Argus 25.8.1859 p 810188 Butterfield, William; VIC Churches 1878-91 St Paul's Cathedral, MelbourneIllus. Plan & N, S, E elevations (Building News 16 May 1879) Chancel Cross-section, Nave Cross-section, Nave long section (Building News 6 June 1879) Interior Perspective (Building News 16 July 1880)in Miles Lewis's bound folio10100 Butterfield, William; VIC Churches 1879 1 22 -BUTTERFIELD Illustration of the new Anglican Cathedral (St Paul's) PerspectiveIllustrated Australian News 22.1.1879 p 1010224 Terry & Oakden; VIC Churches 1880 4 13 -Terry and Oakden architects in chargeof new Anglican Cathedral (St Paul's) Melbourne. Foundation stone laid on 13.4.1880 designed by Butterfield (London).Illus. William Butterfield North/ South Fronts, East Elevation, Ground Plan Interior View AEBN 1.6.1880 p 265.Australian Engineering and Building News 1.5.1880 p 24410101 Butterfield, William; VIC Churches 1880-91 -William BUTTERFIELD, London.- BUTTERFIELD Illustration of North Front, St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne SketchAustralasian Builder and Contractor's News 11.2.1888. Start account of design of St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne. Foundation stone laid April 1880. Some modifications made during construction over next 11 years.Proposed to complete the building Illus. Intended complete design Photo-montage?Royal Victorian Institute of Architects Journal Nov 1922, pp 113-410102 Butterfield, William; VIC Churches 1888 2 11 Illustration of North Front, St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne SketchAustralasian Builder and Contractor's News 11.2.188810195 Reed, Henderson & Smart; VIC Churches; Office Buildings 1889 8 3 -Reed, Henderson and SmartLetting of tenders - erection of chapter-house, vestries and Diocesan offices, Melbourne.St Paul's Cathedral.Australasian Builder and Contractor's News 3.8.188910110 Reed, Henderson & Smart; VIC Churches; Office Buildings 1891 12 19 Reed, Henderson & SmartPhotograph of their design for the chapter house at St Paul's Cathedral in a supplement on "Some Melbourne Buildings completed during the Year".Building Engineering and Mining Journal 19.12.1891 p10103 Butterfield, William; Reed, Smart & Tappin; Smart, Francis Joseph VIC Churches 1891 2 2 BUTTERFIELD, William consecration of St Paul's Cathedral on 22.2.1891 Illus. Perspective Plan his plans provided for the altar facing eastward in a line with Flinders St but altered by local committee Butterfield resigned over 2 years ago, thru a disagreement with the committee. Latterly, Smart of Reed, Smart & Tappin has been superintending the construction. Illustrated Australian News 2.2.1891 pp 10-11___________________________NATIONAL TRUST OF AUSTRALIA (VIC)Statement of SignificanceLast Updated: 23/06/2008Church Statement of Significance:One of the later and larger works of the important English architect William Butterfield, who never visited Australia. The cathedral dates from 1880 to 1891, and as conceived had an octagonal crossing tower and two saddle - backed west towers which would have given it a High Victorian Rhenish air. These were not built, and the present conventional Gothic spires are the work of the Sydney architect James Barr. Characteristic Butterfield details including the contrasting texture of the Waurn Ponds and Barrabool stone cladding, and the horizontally striped interior ultimately derived from Siena Cathedral (though used by Butterfield at Rugby and elsewhere).The interior is lavishly fitted out with encaustic tile floor and wainscoting, stained glass by Clayton & Bell of London, a reredos of Derbyshire spa, Devonshire marble and Venetian glass mosaic, organ by T.C. Lewis, and furniture and fittings of blackwood. What had not been completed at the time of Butterfield's premature resignation in 1888 was carried forward with sympathy and competence by the Melbourne architect Joseph Reed. The classification also embraces the vestry, administrative and Chapter House complex, shop frontages, covered walkways, and iron railings on stone plinths.Classified: State: 08/12/1977St Paul's Cathedral Organ, Statement of Significance:A four-manual organ, originally of 50 speaking stops, built by the renowned London organbuilder Thomas C Lewis in 1890. The instrument was among the largest creations of its builder and is comparable with his later organ in Southwark Cathedral (1897). It is of note for its lavish use of materials, spacious layout and the excellence of its voicing. It includes a massive case in American walnut designed by Joseph Reed. The pipework, windchests and wind system remain essentially intact, although the action and console (which incorporates woodwork from a 1929 rebuilding) date from the major restoration of Harrison & Harrison in 1989-1990 as do three additional reed ranks and the stencilling of the facade pipes, after a design by Lyon, Wells, Cottier & Company. This instrument has enjoyed a long association with the music of the Cathedral, under the hands of leading musicians, and has been widely used for recitals, broadcasts and recordings. It is the most notable surviving 19th century organ in Victoria.Classified: 21/03/1994 International significance___________________________NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)1880https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/108741645The foundation stone of St. Paul's Cathedral was laid yesterday, by the Marquis of Normanby, in the presence of about 5000 persons….https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/70943674 illustSince the design was originally received from Mr. Butterfield, of London the situation of the cathedral building has undergone an alteration. It was at first proposed for the structure to occupy the present site of St. Paul’s Church and parsonage, and to leave the schools untouched. Subsequently it was deemed advisable to have the building parallel with Swanston-street, or nearly north and south, as that gave greater length to the site, and allowed for additional extensions if these were in time found to be necessary. Orientation has thus been abandoned but in describing the proposed cathedral it will be more convenient perhaps, to retain the east and west positions. The extreme external length of the building when completed will be 273ft, and its extreme width 126ft. The eastern end will approach to within 18ft of Flinders-lane, but as the sill of the chancel window will be elevated 45ft above the pavement, its close proximity to the street will not be objectionable. ….Messrs. Terry and Oakden, architects, of Chancery-lane, are in charge of the complete works, with Mr. Harrison, of Prahran, as clerk. Permanent seating accommodation will be provided in the nave and aisles for 1300 persons, .…..1882https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/11528430.1885https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/60620469/5739482OLD MELBOURNE. REMOVAL OF ST. PAUL'S PRO-CATHEDRAL.St. Paul's PRO-CATHEDRAL, which is being pulled down to make room for the new cathedral, has an interesting history. It was the third church built in Melbourne, St. James's and St Peter's being the two older edifices, and the date of its inception takes us back to the early days of the colony — the days of small things — when the new church loomed as large in public estimation as the new cathedral does now. At that time, 1852, the congregation of St. Paul's were worshipping in a brick barn-like building standing back from Bourke-street near Russell-street, and it was entered across vacant land which is now one of the most valuable building sites of the city. The project of building the new church was taken up with much earnestness by the late Rev. Daniel Newham, incumbent of St. Peter's, who, on learning that a parishioner had conditionally promised what was then considered to be the munificent donation of £100, was so successful in his canvass that he got 10 (instead of the required nine) others to give a like amount. The designs of the church were drawn by Mr. Webb, and the contract was let for the church, without he ornamental tower. Before the sittings were finished, the gold fever ran high, and the contractor and one assistant toiled slowly on with the work, discouraged by the want of labour, until the Rev. Canon Chase, incumbent of the church, issued on the hoardings of the city an appeal to Christian men not to let a church stand idle for the need of hands to finish it at current wages. Either the reproach or the promise of current wages had the effect, and the reinforcements which the contractor had despaired of getting the clergyman obtained for him, so that after all the church was opened on Advent Sunday, 1852, by Bishop Perry, and on the same day sermons were preached by the Rev. Dr. Macartney, now Dean of Melbourne, and the Rev. Canon Chase. Presently the Building Committee set their longings upon finishing the tower so happily depicted in Mr. Webb's plans, and then their troubles commenced. Everyone was flush of money in those rich mining times, and liberal promises of subscriptions towards the tower were made, but unluckily the collector was not sent round until there came a lull in the general prosperity. In the meantime the building of the tower had been arranged for at the tempting price needful to keep artisans from hastening off to make their fortunes at the diggings, and between the failure of their financial supplies on the one hand and the extravagant bills on the other, the committee had an uneasy time. In all, the church has cost about £12,000, and it, together with the school-buildings and parsonage, was a block of buildings of which, as a leading clergy man says, the Anglican Church had reason to be proud. The most far-seeing could not anticipate the wonderful development which has taken place in Melbourne, and all of the buildings were as faithfully erected as though they would meet all the requirements of the diocese for centuries to come. But the new cathedral already encroaches on the site of St. Paul's, and after 35 years' useful work, interspersed with some historical episodes, the Dean of Melbourne, one of the sponsors of the church, preached the farewell sermon on July 19. The demolition of the church is fall of regret to some of those who have grown old with it. There are those who remember the first confirmation service, and those, now grown to middle age, who recall how- they were drawn while girls and boys, by the music of the … Regiment of Foot, or the 23rd Royal Fusiliers, and the glitter of the officers' uniforms, to be present when the morning church parades were held. The preachers' roll shows that the pulpit has been occupied by some celebrated men. Bishop Patteson, who was killed by natives at Xukapu. one of the Solomon Islands, in 1871, was present in his robes on his last visit to Melbourne, but was prevented by his voice failing from preaching, according' to appointment. This w
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 110760 1 | 1 PDF : 1,082 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |