| Back to search results » | Back to search page » |
|
ST PAUL'S CHURCH OF ENGLAND & PARISH HALL
Other Name- Location28 & 30 VICTORIA ROAD, LOCH, SOUTH GIPPSLAND SHIRE LevelRecommended for Heritage Overlay |
|
Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The former St. Paul's Church of England, at 30 Victoria Road, Loch, designed by Gawler & Drummond and built in 1927, and the hall constructed in 1958 is significant. The church is a small I nterwar Arts & Crafts Gothic masonry church with walls finished in roughcast render. The principal facade facing west toward the church hall is dominated by a jerkinhead gable, and the tall window that takes up most of this elevation, with three lower panes and two highlights divided by a heavy projecting mullion and transom that forms a large cross. This is echoed by a small metal cross on the roof. The eaves framing this window have expressed purlins and decorative timber brackets. The entrance porch, which has a steep hipped roof pierced by piers that extend above its eaves, in a form characteristic of the Arts & Crafts style and double ledged doors set within a pointed-arched opening with a smooth rendered surround. The piers are rendered the same as the rest of the building and have small tile detail near the top. Other key features include:
- The semi-octagonal apse at the east end, and the vestry on the south side.
- The steep roof, which is continuous with the apse, and has expressed rafter tails of simple form (also used on the hipped roofs of the porch and vestry) and an original ridge ventilator.
- The wall bays, which are expressed by shallow, narrow engaged buttresses, finished in the same roughcast render as the rest of the walls.
- The masonry steps to the entrance with a metal pipe railing that appears to be original.
- The windows to the sides and apse, which have pointed heads in moulded surrounds. Some windows are paired, each with a pointed head inscribed within a larger pointed-head surround. Between their pointed heads is a small, diamond shaped window, which is a very idiosyncratic detail, abstracting Gothic tracery forms. The paired windows to the apse also have an applied trefoil detail to the top sashes.
- The dedication stone dated 4 November 1926 below the North -Eastern apse window.
The former Parish Hall, built in 1958, a simple gabled structure with roughcast rendered walls linking it visually to the church. It stands on the west side of the church. Originally, the only feature of the gable-fronted facade was a recessed porch reached by a short flight of steps with double timber ledged doors, with a simple flat hood sheltering the entrance. The side elevations had small double-hung sash windows, singly and in pairs. The roof is clad with corrugated metal, with a metal ridge vent.
Non-original alterations and additions are not significant.
Non-original alterations and additions are not significant.
How is it significant?
The former St. Paul's Church of England and Hall, Loch is of historic, aesthetic and social significance to South Gippsland Shire.
Why is it significant?
Historically, the church and hall served the Anglican community for over 60 years and played an important role in community and social life. They are also associated with the development of Loch in the twentieth century and reflects its importance as a community centre. (Criterion A)
Aesthetically, the church is the finest example in South Gippsland Shire of an Interwar Arts & Crafts Gothic church, and a building whose modest size belies its sophisticated detailing. It is one of a series of churches designed by Gawler & Drummond that demonstrate their skill with the Arts & Crafts. Notable features include the Jerkinhead gable, the piers that extend above the eaves, the finely detailed windows with abstracted Gothic tracery forms, and the tall window to the west facade with heavy projecting mullion and transom that forms a large cross. The church is an historic landmark that, along with the adjacent Parish Hall, contributes to the character of Loch. (Criterion E)
Aesthetically, the church is the finest example in South Gippsland Shire of an Interwar Arts & Crafts Gothic church, and a building whose modest size belies its sophisticated detailing. It is one of a series of churches designed by Gawler & Drummond that demonstrate their skill with the Arts & Crafts. Notable features include the Jerkinhead gable, the piers that extend above the eaves, the finely detailed windows with abstracted Gothic tracery forms, and the tall window to the west facade with heavy projecting mullion and transom that forms a large cross. The church is an historic landmark that, along with the adjacent Parish Hall, contributes to the character of Loch. (Criterion E)
Group
Religion
Category
Church