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McKellar Memorial Chapel
Location45-99 BALLARAT ROAD BELL PARK - PROPERTY NUMBER 277340, GREATER GEELONG CITY LevelIncluded in Heritage Overlay |
Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The address, and name of the heritage place and extent of the overlay (HO154) has been updated as part of Amendment C452 gazetted 14 February 2025. A revised statement of significance has been introduced into the Planning Scheme.
The McKellar Memorial Chapel is of historical cultural heritage significance as an annex to the grand mid-19th Century rural residence of Bell’s Park, that currently serves as a place of worship and contemplation within the Grace McKellar Centre, a modern community care facility.
Key significant features of the place are those which date from its original 1861 construction, inclusive of:
• The original rectangular footprint and rectilinear form of the Chapel with its bluestone wall construction and the gable-roof clad in slate; and
• The original symbolic element of the spire at the western end of the roof, and Gothic-style decorative elements including the ornate hexagonal bay window form on the eastern wall and the traditional 19th Century vertical sash windows in the bay and on the northern wall.
Features of contributory significance are those which date from its 1963-64 additions and alterations as a Chapel inclusive of:
• The bluestone entry vestibule on the south side, with a shallow-pitched steel roof, double timber-board doors and vertical sash windows to match the original;
• The bronze plaque fitted below the bay window inscribed ‘Catharine McKellar Memorial Chapel, Dedicated to the Glory of God Who Cares, Opened 1st November 1964 by the Hon. W Thom MLC’; and
• The timber panelled ceiling and matching timber units, benches and end pew beneath the bay window.
The McKellar Memorial Chapel is of historical cultural heritage significance as an annex to the grand mid-19th Century rural residence of Bell’s Park, that currently serves as a place of worship and contemplation within the Grace McKellar Centre, a modern community care facility.
Key significant features of the place are those which date from its original 1861 construction, inclusive of:
• The original rectangular footprint and rectilinear form of the Chapel with its bluestone wall construction and the gable-roof clad in slate; and
• The original symbolic element of the spire at the western end of the roof, and Gothic-style decorative elements including the ornate hexagonal bay window form on the eastern wall and the traditional 19th Century vertical sash windows in the bay and on the northern wall.
Features of contributory significance are those which date from its 1963-64 additions and alterations as a Chapel inclusive of:
• The bluestone entry vestibule on the south side, with a shallow-pitched steel roof, double timber-board doors and vertical sash windows to match the original;
• The bronze plaque fitted below the bay window inscribed ‘Catharine McKellar Memorial Chapel, Dedicated to the Glory of God Who Cares, Opened 1st November 1964 by the Hon. W Thom MLC’; and
• The timber panelled ceiling and matching timber units, benches and end pew beneath the bay window.
How is it significant?
The McKellar Memorial Chapel is of historical significance (Criterion A), aesthetic significance (Criterion E), social significance (Criterion G) and associative significance (Criterion H) to the City of Greater Geelong.
Why is it significant?
The McKellar Memorial Chapel is historically significant as an early annex to the grand rural residence of Bell Park established by John Bell in 1853, and from which the surrounding suburb currently derives its name. The Chapel was added in 1861 possibly as a ballroom, designed by JL Shaw to match the original Gothic detailing of the homestead. By the 1920s the estate had been largely subdivided. Grace McKellar, the owner of the remaining 40 acres on which the house was situated had a vision for the place to be developed for the benefit of older and under-privileged people. Upon Grace’s passing in 1944, her two daughters set about fulfilling her vision and the property commenced the development of the Grace McKellar House community care facility, which opened in 1959. The Chapel is the only part of the original house that survived, being redeveloped and retained as a place of spiritual care and contemplation for the patients in 1964. (Criterion A)
The Grace McKellar Centre in which the Chapel is located is socially significant to the Geelong community as one of the largest community care facilities within the City, which has supported the community for over 60 years and whose initial development was made possible by public bequests and donations. Its conception was due to the vision and enterprise of three women - Grace McKellar and her two daughters Ernestine and Catherine - and as the last remnant of the McKellar family residence, the Chapel is the only surviving physical connection to them. (Criterion G)
The McKellar Memorial Chapel is significant for its association with early pastoralist Jonathan Bell, who developed the estate and a grand residence of which the Chapel was a part. It also possesses significant associations with Grace McKellar and her daughters, whom had pivotal roles in the development of the Grace McKellar Centre. Grace developed her vision for a local care centre following the closure of the Geelong Benevolent Asylum and transfer of residents to Ballarat in 1923, whilst the daughters took a role in implementing that vision. The Chapel was named the Catherine McKellar Memorial Chapel following its redevelopment in 1964. (Criterion H)
The McKellar Memorial Chapel is of minor aesthetic significance as an intact remnant of the grand Gothic-style house of Bell’s Park, evidenced in the bluestone walls, slate roof and bay window ornamentation. (Criterion E)
The Grace McKellar Centre in which the Chapel is located is socially significant to the Geelong community as one of the largest community care facilities within the City, which has supported the community for over 60 years and whose initial development was made possible by public bequests and donations. Its conception was due to the vision and enterprise of three women - Grace McKellar and her two daughters Ernestine and Catherine - and as the last remnant of the McKellar family residence, the Chapel is the only surviving physical connection to them. (Criterion G)
The McKellar Memorial Chapel is significant for its association with early pastoralist Jonathan Bell, who developed the estate and a grand residence of which the Chapel was a part. It also possesses significant associations with Grace McKellar and her daughters, whom had pivotal roles in the development of the Grace McKellar Centre. Grace developed her vision for a local care centre following the closure of the Geelong Benevolent Asylum and transfer of residents to Ballarat in 1923, whilst the daughters took a role in implementing that vision. The Chapel was named the Catherine McKellar Memorial Chapel following its redevelopment in 1964. (Criterion H)
The McKellar Memorial Chapel is of minor aesthetic significance as an intact remnant of the grand Gothic-style house of Bell’s Park, evidenced in the bluestone walls, slate roof and bay window ornamentation. (Criterion E)
Group
Religion
Category
Chapel