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Former Chinese Anglican Mission

Other Names Greenson House ,  Presbyterian Church Location 108 - 110 Little Bourke Street,, MELBOURNE VIC 3000 - Property No B5321 File Number B5321 Level Regional

[1/1] B5321 108- 110 Little Bourke

Statement of Significance

In 1894 The Church of England built this two storey Mission Hall and Training Centre to serve the immigrant Chinese community of the area. In 1910 its operation was transferred to the Presbyterian Church but by 1954 it had outlived its usefulness and the building was partitioned as offices, but the exterior remains intact.
Charles Webb and Partners designed the building using polychromatic brickwork to emphasise architectural features such as quoins around windows and the keystones of arches. The elevations do not attempt to produce a specifically Chinese character but rather combine classical pediments, cornices and window shapes with gothic pinnacles at the corners and lancet glazing bars to the fanlight over the central doorway. Greenson House represents an important response to the development of the Chinese community in Melbourne. It stands in Little Bourke Street - the heart of that community for over a century - and adjoins other significant contemporary buildings, particularly Sum Kum Lee.
Classified: 24/3/1983