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Former Christ Church of England and Hill & Son Organ

Other Name

Christ Anglican Church

Location

14 Acland Street,, ST KILDA VIC 3182 - Property No B2352

File Number

B2352

Level

State

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B2352 Christ Anglican Church
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B2352 St Kilda Christ Church
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B2352 St Kilda Christ Church
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B2352 St Kilda Christ Church
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B2352 St Kilda Christ Church
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B2352 St Kilda Christ Church

Statement of Significance

Church Statement of Significance: A substantial church comprising nave, tower base, transepts, apsidal chancel and vestry, designed by Purchas & Swyer and built from 1854-57, enlarged in 1874 and 1881 to the design of Sydney W Smith. The material is a rarely-used sandstone from Point King, Sorrento, and the building is of interest for its triangular western rose window, possibly inspired by Lichfield Cathedral, spacious chancel with intact stencilling, stained glass by Ferguson & Urie, Taylor, Montgomery and Brooks Robinson, and organ by Hill & Son, London, installed in 1859.
Church Classified: 'Local'15/10/1970.
Revised: 'State' 09/03/1989

Organ Statement of Significance:
What is significant? The pipework, windchests, wind system, console, action and casework of the pipe organ built in 1859 by Hill & Son, London and enlarged in 1916-17 by Meadway & Slatterie.
How is it significant? The organ is significant for historic and aesthetic reasons at a state level
Why is it significant? The pipe organ at Christ Church, St Kilda is significant for the following reasons:
It was the first substantial organ to be installed in the suburbs of Melbourne
It is the oldest substantial organ in Melbourne
It retains all of the 1859 pipework
It was the first church organ exported to Australia by the illustrious London firm of Hill & Son
William Hill (1789-1870) was responsible for the building of the organ: he was the most important organbuilder in Britain at the time.
The original design incorporated a complete Great chorus up to Sesquialtera 3 ranks and Trumpet
The original reeds (Great Trumpet, Swell Cornopean) are among the oldest reed stops in the state
The casework is based upon a design by William Butterfield prepared for the 1856 work Instrumenta Ecclesiastica
Classified: 'Regional' 19/10/1989

Group

Religion