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FORMER WESLEYAN CHURCH, PARSONAGE AND COMMON SCHOOL

Location

44-46 JAMES STREET PORT FAIRY, MOYNE SHIRE

File Number

FOL/15/36617

Level

Registered

Statement of Significance

1. The former church (1855), parsonage (1899) and common school (1870) are significant as an important Wesleyan Methodist church complex in Victoria. The common school was used continuously as a Sunday school from its establishment in 1870.

2. The complex is also important as one of an exceptionally fine group of nineteenth century ecclesiastical buildings still extant in the important western district township of Port Fairy.

3. Its site has associations with James Atkinson (1806 - 1864), an important pioneer pastoralist who obtained the special survey of Belfast in the 1840's and was responsible for planning the subsequent township, giving grants of land for churches and other public buildings

4. The church displays a most distinctive design derived from Greek and Georgian architectural traditions. It has notable features including the exceptionally fine carvings of William Witton, described in 1894 as "an artist in stone-work unequalled in Australia. '. These carvings in the 1855 bluestone church include a bust of Wesley in the upper facade, a large scallop shell in the lunette over the door and delicately ornamented keystones to the front window.

5. The church, parsonage and school retain exceptional architectural integrity.

6. The former common school building at the rear of the church complex has been used from the beginning, at least partly, for Sunday school purposes, and is an unusual example of common school design in Victoria. Its dimensions and ornamentation make it superior to the typical examples which were generally plain with a "jail-like" appearance. It remains one of the last surviving common schools in Victoria.

Group

Religion

Category

Church