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POOWONG UNITING CHURCH
Other NamesFormer Poowong Presbyterian Church and Ranceby Protestant Church , Ranceby Union Church, Poowong Presbyterian Church, Extra Location11 NYORA ROAD, POOWONG, SOUTH GIPPSLAND SHIRE LevelRecommended for Heritage Overlay |
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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
Poowong Uniting Church, comprising the former Poowong Presbyterian Church opened on 30 August 1890 and the former Ranceby Protestant Church opened on 25 October 1925 and relocated to be alongside the Poowong Church in c.1980, at 11 Nyora Road, Poowong is significant.
While the two churches have been joined together, the original Carpenter Gothic form and detailing of each is still legible. Both have weatherboard walls with lancet windows on the visible side elevations, and simple timber ledge doors in the centre of the original front walls. The former Poowong Presbyterian Church, on the east side, is distinguished by its more steeply pitched roof, while both buildings have a finial to the gable end.
Non-original alterations and additions include the connecting verandah added in 1981 and other buildings on the site are not significant.
While the two churches have been joined together, the original Carpenter Gothic form and detailing of each is still legible. Both have weatherboard walls with lancet windows on the visible side elevations, and simple timber ledge doors in the centre of the original front walls. The former Poowong Presbyterian Church, on the east side, is distinguished by its more steeply pitched roof, while both buildings have a finial to the gable end.
Non-original alterations and additions include the connecting verandah added in 1981 and other buildings on the site are not significant.
How is it significant?
The Poowong Uniting Church is of local historic and social significance to the South Gippsland Shire.
Why is it significant?
Historically, this is, in part, the oldest surviving Presbyterian Church in the Shire, which is associated with the foundations of the church in South Gippsland. It is also associated with the early development of Poowong following the selection of farmland and is one of two surviving nineteenth century churches in the town that demonstrate its growing importance as a community centre. The Ranceby Church was associated with next major phase of church building associated with closer settlement that occurred in the early twentieth century. (Criterion A)
Historically, the Ranceby Church demonstrates how Protestant congregations with limited resources co-operated to establish places of worship in remote areas. It illustrates the strength of inter-faith support within the community that continued and was formalised following the creation of the Uniting Church in 1977. (Criterion A)
It has social significance for its strong and enduring associations with the Poowong and surrounding districts as churches that have served the communities for up to 120 years. (Criterion G)
Historically, the Ranceby Church demonstrates how Protestant congregations with limited resources co-operated to establish places of worship in remote areas. It illustrates the strength of inter-faith support within the community that continued and was formalised following the creation of the Uniting Church in 1977. (Criterion A)
It has social significance for its strong and enduring associations with the Poowong and surrounding districts as churches that have served the communities for up to 120 years. (Criterion G)
Group
Religion
Category
Church