FORMER WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH

Statement of Significance

The former Wesleyan Methodist Church and 1889 manse form part of a group of buildings on the site which includes the 1857-58 church (the building on the site), the 1889 polychrome brick manse, a later 1927 manse and an 1880s hall burned out in May 1990. The 1850s church and 1889 manse have both architectural and historic significance but the other buildings on the site are regarded as of little significance.

1. The bluestone 1857-58 former Wesleyan Church has architectural significance as one of the first Wesleyan churches in Victoria designed in the gothic style with a square central entrance tower with early English stepped buttresses and pinnacles above.

2. It is significant, also, as the work of the distinguished architectural firm of Crouch & Wilson, who designed some of Victoria's most notable buildings.

3. The 1889 two-storey polychrome brick manse is significant architecturally and was probably designed by the architects Percy Oakden and Ralph Wilson.

4. The former Wesleyan Methodist church and 1889 manse have historical significance, illustrating the important role of the Wesleyan Methodists in colonial Victoria and in the early years of the present century.

[Additional information]

Source: Victorian Church Survey

The old St Kilda Methodist Church is a finely designed 1850's church building and centrepiece of a group of individually significant buildings in an urban conservation area. Towered churches from the 1850s are rare in Melbourne and this building is thus of special significance in this regard as well as for its design and detailing. This building is an important work of architects Crouch & Wilson. TJ Crouch was prominent in St Kilda Methodist church affairs and lived locally. St Kilda was the home of many of the better off Melbournians in the 1850s, '60s and '70s. The adjacent former Sunday School is one of Melbourne's finest and the combination of fine church and hall side by side gives each added significance.

Group

Religion

Category

Church