St Joseph's Roman Catholic School

History:

Three Catholic schools Reilly Street (established 1 July 1855), Budd Street (1 July 1857) and Wellington Street (1858) were operating in Collingwood at the time of their merger to form a school in Stanley Street in 1858. In 1860, the girls moved to a school in Otter Street, and the boys to Moor Street, with Collingwood Quarries School (established 1855). In 1862, the Otter Street school moved to the Wellington Street corner, and to the St Joseph's Church building in 1863.

In 1886, a new school building (now the Church Hall) was built on the Wellington Street frontage of the complex. In 1912, the present school building was constructed at the west of the site.

Description:

St Joseph's Roman Catholic School, 46 Otter Street, Collingwood, is a late Edwardian single-storey building constructed of red brick. It is a relatively plain building, with rendered dressings to windows and rendered string courses. The south elevation, to Otter Street, has a parapeted section, rendered above the level of the window highlights, which bears the words ST JOSEPHS SCHOOL in raised rendered lettering. The hipped roof is terracotta tiled and decorated with terracotta finials and crosses.

Significance:

St Joseph's Roman Catholic School, 46 Otter Street, is of local architectural, historical and social significance. It is an integral part of the St Joseph's Church complex, and is an important heritage element in the Otter and Perry Street streetscapes. St Joseph's have occupied the site since 1862, and the subsequent expansion of the complex reflects the growth of the suburb and of the role of Catholic Church. The school and complex continues to provide a community focus for the Catholic community.

Group

Education

Category

School - State (public)