St. Georges Church Precinct

Following is the Heritage Victoria statement of significance:

What is significant?

The St George the Martyr Church and Parish Hall, Queenscliff are part of a complex that originally also included a Vicarage, all three attributed to the Melbourne architect, Albert Purchas. The Church was constructed in 1863-64 of locally quarried limestone, with a stuccoed brick tower added in 1878 and further extensions made in 1887 and 1958. The former Vicarage greatly altered and not part of this registration, was built of brick in 1865-66 and remained in use until 1967, when it was replaced by the current vicarage. Construction of the brick Parish Hall was begun in 1870 but it was not completed until 1902.

How is it significant?

The St George the Martyr Church and Parish Hall are of architectural, historical, and social significance to Victoria.

Why is it significant?

The Church and Parish Hall are of architectural significance as representative examples of work by early Melbourne architect, Albert Purchas, who designed several significant churches in Victoria during the 1850s and 1870s. The Church, with its unusual roof form encompassing both the aisles and nave, is significant as a rare example of the Later Gothic architectural style, freely decorated and characterised by broad planning and large stained glass windows.

The Parish Hall is of particular interest as an example of a building constructed for the purposes of both education and worship. The scale and the location of this pair of early ecclesiastical buildings are important indications of the strength of the Anglican Church in the area.

The Church and Parish Hall are historically significant for their association with several parishioners such as TH Fellows, politician and judge and the prominent Baillieu family.

The Church and Parish Hall are socially significant for their associations with important cultural groups such as the Cosmopolitan Masonic Lodge Queenscliff (over 50 years), Grammar School (1882-1902), Literary Association 1883, Queenscliffe Borough Council Chambers 1899, Orange and ANA Lodges.

Revised Statement of Significance

The Victorian Heritage Register statement of significance has been amended to include reference to the former Vicarage, which is included in the St Georges Church precinct but excluded from the extent of registration, and to the other non-contributory buildings in the precinct:

What is significant?

The St George the Martyr Church, Parish Hall, and former Parsonage form a complex of three nineteenth century buildings, all of which are attributed to the Melbourne architect, Albert Purchas. The Church was constructed in 1863-64 of locally quarried limestone, with a stuccoed brick tower added in 1878 and further extensions made in 1887 and 1958. The former vicarage at 13 Mercer Street was built of brick in 1865-66 and remained in use until 1967, when it was replaced by new vicarage. It has been substantially altered and is not part of the Victorian Heritage Register listing. Construction of the brick Parish Hall was begun in 1870 but it was not completed until 1902. While part of the evolved form of the complex, the post-war buildings at 11 Mercer Street and 22 Hobson Street are not considered to contribute to its significance.

How is it significant?

The St George the Martyr Church complex is of historical, aesthetic (architectural) and social significance to the Borough of Queenscliffe.

The St George the Martyr Church and Parish Hall (but not the Vicarage) are also of significance at a state level and have been included in the Victorian Heritage Register.

Why is it significant?

The Church, Parish Hall and Vicarage are of architectural significance as representative examples of work by early Melbourne architect, Albert Purchas, who designed several significant churches in Victoria during the 1850s and 1870s. The Church, with its unusual roof form encompassing both the aisles and nave, is significant as a rare example of the Later Gothic architectural style, freely decorated and characterised by broad planning and large stained glass windows. The Parish Hall is of particular interest as an example of a building constructed for the purposes of both education and worship. The former parsonage is an early building in a style commonly used for parsonages of the period and of which relatively few of have survived.[i] Although altered, the overall form of the building is still evident, and it contributes both to an appreciation of the historical operation of complex as a whole and to the picturesque qualities of the place.

The complex as a whole is historically significant as a major church complex in the Borough of Queenscliffe since the 1860s. The scale and the location of the complex of early ecclesiastical buildings are important indications of the strength of the Anglican Church in the area. The complex is also of historical interest for its associations with prominent parishioners and Borough residents such as TH Fellows, politician and judge and the prominent Baillieu family.

The complex is socially significant as a focus for community activity and worship and for its associations with important local groups such as the Cosmopolitan Masonic Lodge Queenscliff (over 50 years), Grammar School (1882-1902), Literary Association 1883, Queenscliffe Borough Council Chambers 1899, Orange and ANA Lodges.

Group

Religion

Category

Religious Precinct