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UNITING CHURCH

Other Name WESLEYAN CHAPEL (FORMER) Location 10 BRIDGEWATER FIRE STATION ROAD, CAPE BRIDGEWATER, GLENELG SHIRE Level Recommended for Heritage Overlay

[1/1] 52880 Wesleyan Chapel

Statement of Significance

What is Significant?
The Uniting Church, Lower Cape Bridgewater was built as a Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. It is located about 15.5km due east of Portland at the end of Bridgewater Fire Station Road, between the former State School 32 which was built about the same time and St Peter's, the former Anglican Church which was built in 1884. It is believed that the church dates from 1858, and appears to be the second constructed in the area superseding a church built in 1850 in Kennedy's Road. The church is a simple two bay Gothic structure, built of local stone, the doors and windows being simple Gothic arches, arranged symmetrically. The interiors include a modest range of memorials, the original pews and fittings such as the altar, podium and decorative works. The church retains a high degree of integrity externally and high degree of integrity internally. It is in good condition.

How is it significant?
The Uniting Church at Lower Cape Bridgewater is of historical, social and architectural significance to the Glenelg Shire.

Why is it Significant?
The Uniting Church at Lower Cape Bridgewater is of historical significance as an example of the importance of Methodist faith in the Bridgewater area from the 1850s. The church is of social significance to the community of the Bridgewater area as the focus for Methodists who settled in the area in the mid nineteenth century. It is of architectural significance as a good example of a simple Gothic style, used to express religious values. It is of further significance for the range of memorials, and as a comparison with the churches of other denominations in the district.