Back to search results »

Back to search page »

Former Congregational Church & Organ

Other Name Kyneton Arts Theatre Location Hutton Street,, KYNETON VIC 3444 - Property No B2051 File Number B2051 Level State

[1/4] B2051 Former Congregational [2/4] B2051 Kyneton Congregational [3/4] B2051 Former Kyneton [4/4] B2051 Kyneton Congegational

Statement of Significance

An engaging and mildly eccentric church built in 1859-60 to the design of the local architect William Douglas and subsequently extended. The style was aptly described as 'Mixed English Gothic', and the most distinctive features are the plentifully crocketted spirelets of the south front. Despite redecoration the interior preserves its unusual roof system in which only the lower parts of the trusses are visible below the boarded ceiling, and read as parallel-chorded girders divided up into handsomely chamfered and detailed criss-cross panels; there also remains a very fine Fincham pipe organ of 1880. The approach to the church is enhanced by the gothic iron palisade fence and openwork piers, cast by Joseph Laughton's Vulcan foundry in Melbourne.
Classified: 'Local' 10/02/1966
Upgraded: 23/06/2010

Pipe Organ: The organ in the former Congregational Church Kyneton, now the Kyneton Performing Arts Theatre, was built by George Fincham at a cost of 400 pounds and opened in February 1880. In 1895 the case was laterally extended by the addition of 14 dummy pipes, and at a later stage the console was extended forward to ground level using mechanical action. in 1977 the organ was restored by George Fincham and Sons and the console re-sited within the facade, retaining the original components.
However the instrument remains little altered from the original apart from the introduction of electric blowing and tuning slides.
This is an outstanding Fincham organ of the period with Great Chorus complete to Mixture, ornately diapered front pipes and an unusual marquetry builder's plate. The present siting of the organ within the theatre surrounded by curtains, is accoustically disadvantageous.
Organ Classified: 12/12/1985
Upgraded: 23/06/2010

See also B2052, Sunday School.