HO6 - Presbyterian Church (Melton Uniting Church)

The Uniting Church building is architecturally significant at a Local level (AHC D2). Although altered and extended at one end, it still clearly demonstrates original design qualities of a Victorian Rudimentary Decorated Gothic style. These qualities include the steeply pitched and parapeted gable roof form clad in slate tiles, coursed, squared rubble bluestone wall construction, small projecting triangular ventilation roof dormers, large pointed arched window on the gable end (except the introduced external cladding) and the smaller pointed arched window openings on the side facades (all of which feature Decorated Gothic window tracery), projecting bluestone buttresses, pointed arched doorway to the original church (with trefoil opening and bell above) now part of the interior of a later addition.

The adjacent former church hall, now kindergarten facility, is architecturally significant at a Local level (AHC D2). It demonstrates original design qualities of an interwar style. These qualities include broad gable roof form clad in galvanised corrugated steel, three round galvanised ventilation stacks, and face brick chimney with a soldier-coursed capping. Other intact or appropriate qualities include the face brick wall construction, broad eaves, timber bargeboards in the gable ends, timber framed double hung windows and the single door openings.

The Uniting Church and former church hall are historically significant at a Local level (AHC A4). It was built after Melton's 'United' church and school, erected by Protestant denominations in 1857 in an effort to share resources in the pioneering era, was replaced by individual churches in the 1860s. The church became the home of and is expressive of the union of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches, begun in Melton from the early 1970s, and formally concluded by the formation of the Uniting Church of Australia in 1977. The new additions and functions of the church are expressive of the increase in Melton's population especially in the 1970s, and the changing nature of the parish's ministry. The church is one of only three remaining nineteenth century churches, and one of only two remaining bluestone churches, in the Shire of Melton.

The Uniting Church and former church hall are socially significant at a Local level (AHC G1). It is recognised and valued by the Uniting Church community in Melton as a symbol of their faith, and the history of local participation in Presbyterian and Uniting Church faith education from the early years of Melton until the present day.

Overall, the Uniting Church building and church hall, Yuille Street, Melton is of LOCAL significance

Group

Religion

Category

Church