Church of the Immaculate Conception Presbytery, 39 Queens Avenue, ST ARNAUD

The Church of the Immaculate Conception Presbytery, 39 Queens Avenue, St. Arnaud, has significance as a relatively intact example of a Victorian styled domestic building constructed in dichromatic brickwork with an elaborate ogee form encircling verandah. The building appears to have been constructed for the Catholic Church in the mid to late 1880s, when Father R. Scanlon was priest, and continues to be owned and occupied by the Catholic Church.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception Presbytery is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level. It demonstrates original design qualities of Victorian style. These qualities include the single storey and symmetrical composition, unpainted and tuckpointed dichromatic brick wall construction, hipped roof forms and elaborate encircling ogee form verandah. Other intact qualities include the slate tile roof cladding, galvanised corrugated iron verandah cladding, narrow cast iron verandah columns with decorative cast iron lace brackets and valances, large brick plinth, which forms the verandah floor, centrally located bluestone steps, unpainted brick chimneys surmounted by rendered cornice tops, modest eaves with intricate double brackets, central four panelled timber door with original side and highlights, timber framed double hung tripartite windows, and the decorative cream brick quoinwork. The large allotment with substantial front and side setbacks and significance open lawn area with flower gardens provided uninterrupted views of the building also contributes to the significance of the place.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception Presbytery is historically significant at a LOCAL level. It is associated with the development of the Catholic Church in St. Arnaud from the mid-late 1880s when Father R. Scanlon was priest, until the present day.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception Presbytery is socially significant at a LOCAL level. It is recognised and valued by the St. Arnaud community for religious reasons.

Overall, the Church of the Immaculate Conception Presbytery is of LOCAL significance.

Group

Religion

Category

Church