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CHRIST CHURCH ANGLICAN CHURCH

Location 184 HENTY STREET, CASTERTON, GLENELG SHIRE Level Recommended for Heritage Overlay

[1/2] 52860 186 Henty st front of [2/2] 52860 Christ Ch Anglican Henty

Statement of Significance

What is Significant?
Christ Church Anglican Church, 184-188 Henty Street, Casterton dates from 1865 and is the largest of a group of parish churches established by the important cleric, Rev. F. T. C. Russell who was active in the region from 1850 to 1876. The architect was James H. Fox of Hamilton who was also responsible for Holy Trinity Church, Coleraine which predates Christ Church by about a year. Both churches are fine but conventional examples of the Early English Gothic Revival style, typical of ecclesiastical architecture of the period. Constructed in red brick on a stone plinth and with stone details and dressings, Christ Church was completed in 1866 and consecrated in 1877. The interior includes an elaborate memorial plaque to Rev. Cusack Russell and various memorials to leading pioneers as plaques and stained glass windows including the McPherson, Robertson, Patterson and Tytherleigh families. The white marble baptismal font was dedicated by Rev. Cusack Russell to the children of the Parish. The other fittings and furnishings are equally fine and typical of the style and period. A sympathetic porch was added in the late 20th century. Otherwise the church retains an extremely high degree of integrity and is in very good condition apart from serious damage from rising damp. The complex originally included: a timber school built in 1857 which was also used as church but which was demolished in the 1890s; the rectory built in 1887 which is now privately owned; and the new timber Sunday School built in 1900 which is now used as a hall and for meetings. The hall was built by George Jelly, who had built the rectory, and probably includes the windows of the original Sunday School cum church. It has been extended twice, retains a good degree of integrity and is in good condition.

How is it Significant?
Christ Church Anglican Church is of historical, social and architectural significance to the Glenelg Shire.

Why is it Significant?
Christ Church Anglican Church is of historical significance as one of the group of churches established by Rev. Cusack Russell and for demonstrating the importance of the Anglican denomination in the Casterton community for over one hundred and fifty years. Its social significance is reflected in the donation of furnishings and memorials which represent the affluence and generosity of the many important early settlers who belonged to the congregation, including the McPherson, Robertson and Patterson families. Christ Church is of architectural significance as an example of the work of the important local architect, James H Fox. It demonstrates architectural significance for its use of the Gothic Revival style to express religious values, for the range and quality of its interiors, including the altar, lectern, several memorials and the baptismal font, and as a comparison with the churches of other denominations in Casterton.