Back to search results » Back to search page »   Print 

CARNGHAM MEMORIAL CHURCH

Other Name

CARNGHAM UNITING CHURCH

Location

954 LINTON-CARNGHAM ROAD SNAKE VALLEY, PYRENEES SHIRE

File Number

10/003284-01

Level

Registered

Statement of Significance

Carngham Memorial Church is located on Wadawurrung Country.

 

 

What is significant?

The Carngham Memorial Church, being of bluestone construction with New Zealand Oamaru freestone dressings and paid for by Philip Russell of Carngham Station. Built in 1893 to a design by Ripon Shire engineer Henry Hall Jackson, the church is in an English Gothic revival style. Significant features include, but are not limited to the exterior and interior fabric of the church, the interior timberwork, and the collection of stained-glass windows and memorials.  The land also houses the Sunday School building, constructed of bluestone from the former Chepstowe school, and a cast iron palisade fence and gates. 

Objects integral to the significance of the church include:

  1. Marble plaque (in memory of Annie Russell) 
  2. Silver chalice 
  3. Foundation stone marble plaque 
  4. Palisade cast iron fence and wrought iron gates 
  5. Marble altar and lectern including two brass lamps 
  6. Stained-glass window: “Faith, Charity and Hope” 
  7. Stained-glass window: “The Blessing of the Children” 
  8. Brass plaque (in relation to “The Blessing of the Children” stained-glass window) 
  9. Marble plaque (in memory of Philip Russell) 
  10. Brass plaque (in memory of Lieutenant Philip Leslie Russell) 
  11. Stained-glass window: “St Philip and St James the Great” 
  12. WW1 Timber Cross 
  13. Dead Man’s Penny 
  14. WW1 Honor Roll 
  15. Stained-glass window: “St Michael” 
  16. Brass plaque (in relation to “St Michael” stained-glass window) 
  17. Stained-glass window: “Christ Before the Doctors” 
  18. Solid brass candlesticks (x2) 

How is it significant?

The Carngham Memorial Church is of historical significance to the State of Victoria. It satisfies the following criterion for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register:  

Criterion B 
Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history. 

Criterion H
Special association with the life or works of a person, or group of persons, of importance in Victoria’s history. 

Why is it significant?

 
 The Carngham Memorial Church Organ is a rare example of a Fincham & Hobday pipe organ, built with and retaining the slider less windchest/soundboard. Slider less soundboards were only introduced in a handful of organs including Carngham, the pedal soundboard at St Mary’s West Melbourne, and three organs in New Zealand. Despite being introduced in several pipe organs, difficulties with maintenance have resulted in many being dismantled and rebuilt since. The pipe organ is unaltered beyond the introduction of a cover to the top of the organ, and an electric blower, making it an extremely rare and intact example of Fincham’s soundboard design. 
(Criterion B)
 
The Carngham Memorial Church and objects are historically significant for their association with Philip Russell. Philip Russell was widely recognised as an eminent wool producer, ranking among the top in Victoria in a competitive field. He had an association with sheep breeding from the early days of Victoria's colonization and the wealth displayed at the church is a testament to his significant contributions to establishing the wool economy in the Western District. This direct association with the church highlights his achievements, evidenced by his substantial contributions to its budget, and reflect his considerable success in the wool business.  Philip Russell’s life, prominence and contributions were significant in shaping Victoria's historical landscape, which is evident in Russell's influential role in pioneering the wool industry and his philanthropic contributions to the establishment and support of local institutions. 
(Criterion H)

Group

Religion

Category

Church