Back to search results »

Back to search page »

Former Congregational Church & Hall - Beechworth Historic Area

Other Name Tolman Gallery Location Camp Street,, BEECHWORTH VIC 3747 - Property No B0617 File Number B0617 Level Local

[1/1] B0617 Congregational Church

Statement of Significance

Two successive Congregational churches which are amongst Beechworth 's earlier buildings, and the earlier one especially of a distinctive character. The first church (later hall) was built c 1858 of the local granite in a primitive round-arched Georgian mode, but with picturesque decorative barge boards. It was superseded in 1869 by a brick church, which is ascribed to the architect Leonard Terry. It is most unusual as he worked mainly for the Anglicans, and very rarely in polychrome brick.
Classified: 29/07/1959

STATEMENT OF SIGNFICANCE (HISTORIC AREA)
Beechworth is a picturesque nineteenth Century provincial town. It is a well preserved example of a Government and private building, which resulted from the town's important historical role as the administrative and commercial centre of Victoria's north - eastern goldfields. Beechworth was once significant for its position on an early overland route from Melbourne to Sydney.
The town is located sympathetically to the topography, in an area of considerable landscape interest. Set admist forested undulating country, there remain many relics of the mining era in and about Beechworh. It is a rich field for the industrial archaeology.
There are, within the town, a large number of historical and architecturally significant buildings. These display a quality of form and richness of material and detail, which make Beechworth one of the most significant of Austraila's goldfield towns. Of particular interest is the common usage of local granite in construction. Its honey colour imparts a quality distinctive to Beechworth.
The highlights of Beechworth are the grid of wide streets flanked with granite kerbing; the streetscapes of considerable integrity with groups of homogeneous buildings set off by mature elms and other exotic trees; and the remnants of historic Victorian gardens. About the town there are many examples of nineteenth century street furniture, signs and fences. Beechworth's historical wealth is of national significance.
Classified: April,1983