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Former Wesleyan Church and Methodist Sunday School, 81 Hesse Street, Queenscliff
81 Hesse Street QUEENSCLIFF, QUEENSCLIFFE BOROUGH

Hesse Street Commercial Precinct

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Queenscliffe Borough

The Wesleyan Chapel (1868) on the right, and the main Church (1888) on the left, 1981.

Former Wesleyan Churches, 79 -81 Hesse Street, Queenscliff

Former Wesleyan Church and Methodist Sunday School,

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Statement of Significance
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Statement of Significance

Statement of Significance as recorded under the Queenscliff Heritage Study 2009

The 1868 and 1888 Methodist churches, and the adjacent St Andrews, create an ecclesiastical precinct in Queenscliff, given their similar gabled form and the use of face brickwork in the two later churches. They also form a transition in the streetscape from the commercial section of Hesse Street, to the residential quarter to the south and to the east. The former Methodist Church is aesthetically significant as a well designed and detailed late nineteenth century church building designed in a Gothic Revival style. It is historically significant as an example of a nineteenth century church building in the township. Its successful adaptation to commercial premises is also demonstrative of the recent stage of development in the township, where tourism has been revived and Queenscliff has become, once again, a popular resort. The former Methodist Church is architecturally significant as an example of the work of the prominent Melbourne architectural firm of Oakden Addison & Kemp. The former Methodist Church is socially significant as a building known, used and valued, originally as a church, and in more recent years as a bookshop and cafe, by the local community and visitors to Queenscliff.

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- Physical Description 1
  
  Former Wesleyan Church and Methodist Sunday School, 81 Hesse Street, Queenscliff - Physical Description 1
  
  The design was based on the English Decorated style of Gothic architecture but externally the church is relatively plain. Simply coursed monochrome brickwork predominates, with some herringbone pattern in the western gable, while stucco cappings, string courses and mouldings provide the variety. Both churches have slated roofs.
  
  Alterations and additions include timber and brick vestries which were added to the early and later churches respectively; electric lighting internally; new steps and handrails to the 1888 church; and the removal of the picket fence which once enclosed both churches (now replaced).(7)
  
  These two churches and the adjacent St Andrews, create an ecclesiastical precinct, given their similar gabled form and the use of face brickwork in the two later churches. They also form a transition in the streetscape form the commercial section of Hesse Street, to the residential quarter of the south.
  
  Physical Description 2
  
  Former Wesleyan Church and Methodist Sunday School, 81 Hesse Street, Queenscliff - Physical Description 2
  
  One 1888 brick church, and one stuccoed brick and limestone church. Both intact.
  
  Intactness
  
  Former Wesleyan Church and Methodist Sunday School, 81 Hesse Street, Queenscliff - Intactness
  
  FAIR
  
  Physical Description 3
  
  Former Wesleyan Church and Methodist Sunday School, 81 Hesse Street, Queenscliff - Physical Description 3
  
  Extract from the 2009 study
  
  The former Wesleyan Church is a modest rendered brick Gothic Revival church situated at the north-east corner of Hesse and Stokes streets. It forms one of a group of three church buildings in the vicinity of the intersection of Hesse and Stokes streets. The church is set back from its street boundary by a garden, which contains some mature plantings. A timber picket fence extends along the street boundaries.
  
  The building is built upon a stone base and the Hesse Street elevation is symmetrically composed with two pointed arched windows that have mouldings above them towards the lower part of the wall and a larger pointed arch towards the top. At centre is rendered signage that reads Wesleyan Church 1868. Projecting towards Hesse Street at each end of the wall are buttresses. The gable roof of the church is clad in slate.
  
  The north and south elevations are each divided into six bays by buttresses. Each bay contains a pointed arched window, with each alternate window having an open-able sash at its top. A gable roofed porch projects from the south elevation. A short path leads from Stokes Street to this porch. At the rear of the church is a weatherboard skillion addition.
  
  The render on the walls of the church is in disrepair and pressed cement crucifixes at the top of the Hesse Street elevation and on the entrance porch are damaged and/or removed. The building is no longer used as a church and is now occupied by Barwon Booksellers.
  
  Heritage Study and Grading
  
  Heritage Study and Grading
  
  Queenscliffe - Queenscliffe Urban Conservation Study
  
  Author: Allom Lovell & Associates P/L, Architects
  Year: 1982
  Grading:
  
  Queenscliffe - Queenscliffe Heritage Study
  
  Author: Lovell Chen
  Year: 2009
  Grading:
- Show:
- LATHAMSTOWE
  
  Victorian Heritage Register H1052
- PILOTS COTTAGES
  
  Victorian Heritage Register H1618
- ROSENFELD
  
  Victorian Heritage Register H1134