Back to search results »

Back to search page »

St Francis Catholic Church

Location 326-350 Lonsdale Street and Cnr Elizabeth Sreet,, MELBOURNE VIC 3000 - Property No B0134 File Number B0134 Level National

[1/1] B0134 St Francis Church

Statement of Significance

St Francis's is the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Victoria, the most important surviving example of architect Samuel Jackson's work and the oldest church in Melbourne still on its original site. It is an outstanding example of the stuccoed Gothic which was prevalent before the Gothic Revival proper, exhibiting considerable stylistic development in comparison with earlier church designs by Jackson. The Lady Chapel of 1857 by David Ross is a full-blown essay in Puginesque design, with decoration by Le Gould and Souter (reputed pupils of Pugin) somewhat modified by Ulysses Rizzi, Minton tiles and windows by Hardman of Birmingham.
Classified: 'Regional' 19/06/1958
Revised: 04/03/1971
Fence included: 05/07/1973