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Former Sacred Heart Monastery (now Sacred Heart Parish complex)

Location

35 Wicklow Avenue CROYDON, MAROONDAH CITY

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

Statement of Significance

The Monastery is an imposing, substantial complex of aesthetic significance for its setting on an elevated site with extensive views. It is architecturally significant for its virtually intact, very sophisticated design and strong symmetrical composition in eclectic Mediterranean and Stripped Romanesque styles, finely executed brick detailing and modelled faience motifs.

It is significant as a rare example of an Interwar Monastery and the major ecclesiastical work of L.D. San Miguel (1896-1959), a Melbourne-trained architect of Portugese descent, who designed a number of buildings of distinctive scale and expression in brickwork for the Catholic church including the Car Showroom and office at 111-125 A'Beckett St, Melbourne, John Fawkner (formerly Sacred Heart) Hospital in Moreland Rd., Coburg, Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Whitehorse Rd., Deepdene, St. Anthony's Parish church in Railway Place, Alphington, Monavie (formerly Sacred Heart) College, Hamilton, and Emmanuel (formerly Christian Brothers) College in Warrnambool.

The Parish offices, Hall, Dining Room, main and secondary stairwells, Meeting Rooms and Library are architecturally significant for their intact interiors and details, and historically significant for representing the communal seminary life and practices of an Interwar Monastery. The Chapel interior is also of architectural and historic significance despite alteration to its west end in 2000.

Overall the complex has historical significance to the Melbourne region for its association with religion and teaching developments. It has social significance as a traditional meeting place and religious focus in community life.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

Gate