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Former Carlton Refuge (Queen Elizabeth Maternal & Child Care Health Centre)

Location

52-112 Keppell Street and 455-495 Cardigan Street and 960 Swanston Street,, CARLTON VIC 3053 - Property No B6995

File Number

B6995

Level

State

[1/1]
B6995 Former Carlton Refuge

Statement of Significance

The former Carlton Refuge (Queen Elizabeth Maternal and Child Health Centre), established in 1861 as a reformatory for young single women who had engaged in prostitution, is historically significant at a State level as an early charitable institution and the earliest purpose-built residential accommodation for single mothers in Victoria. It is associated with the early history of social welfare and the contribution of the Protestant churches to charitable work in Victoria. It demonstrates the sectarian nature of nineteenth century Victorian society and the strength of the evangelical movement.

The Former Carlton Refuge is a rare surviving example of an early social welfare institution devoted to the welfare of women and children. It has been in operation on the same site from 1861 to its closure in 1997.

The Former Carlton Refuge is important in demonstrating social or cultural associations in its form, illustrating the place of maternal and child health and welfare in the history of Victoria, as well as the place of Women, and in particular, sexually active young women, in the social and religious context of nineteenth century Melbourne. The Former Carlton Refuge and other institutions on the site illustrate changes in attitudes to women and sexuality since its foundation in 1861. The change in emphasis during the twentieth century to health services for women and young children away from the reformist zeal of the nineteenth century can be seen in the changes to the buildings. The chapel exemplifies the aims of the founders of the institution, who hoped to inculcate true penitence in the women and inspier them to lead a virtuous life, while the baby health centre is socially significant as an example of twentieth century moves to provide advice on child health issues to women thoughout the State.

The chapel is a significant building in its own right both architecturally and dnominationally. It is a rare example in Victoria from the nineteenth century of a multi-denominational chapel. Its architecture reflects this multi-denominational use in that it is in a religiously neutral or nonaligned architectectural style. Internally, it is an exceptional example of classical (pier and arch) architecture applied to a small building. The rest of the Carlton Refuge complex gives meaning to the chapel's existence on the site.

Classified: 13/12/1999

The Former Carlton Refuge is a rare surviving example of an early social welfare institution devoted to the welfare of women and children. It has been in operation on the same site from 1861 to its closure in 1997.

The Former Carlton Refuge is important in demonstrating social or cultural associations in its form, illustrating the place of maternal and child health and welfare in the history of Victoria, as well as the place of Women, and in particular, sexually active young women, in the social and religious context of nineteenth century Melbourne. The Former Carlton Refuge and other institutions on the site illustrate changes in attitudes to women and sexuality since its foundation in 1861. The change in emphasis during the twentieth century to health services for women and young children away from the reformist zeal of the nineteenth century can be seen in the changes to the builgings. The chapel exemplifies the aims of the founders of the institution, who hoped to inculcate true penitence in the women and inspire them to lead a virtuous life, while the baby health centre is socially singificant as an example of twentieth century moves to provide advice on child health issues to women throughout the State.

The chapel is a significant building in its own right both architecturally and denominationally.

It is a rare example in Victoria from the nineteenth century of a multi-denominational chapel. Its architecture reflects this multi-denominational use in that it is in a religiously neutral or non-aligned architectural style. Internally, it is an exceptional example of classical (pier and arch) architecture applied to a small building. The rest of the Carlton Refuge complex gives meaning to the chapel's existence on the site.

Group