Teesdale Presbyterian Church
42 Pyke Street, TEESDALE VIC 3328 - Property No 51200326
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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The Teesdale Presbyterian Church, located at 42 Pike Street, encompasses allotments 7 - 10, section 1, within the township of Teesdale, Parish of Carrah. The simple, astylar building was constructed in 1858 of bluestone. The Church was the first public building to be erected in the township of Teesdale and one of the first permanent places of worship for the district's Scottish Presbyterian squatters and free settlers.
Among the first trustees were John Bell of Woolbrook, George Russell of Golf Hill and the Rev. Simpson, who was later appointed as a Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. At first, evening services were held one Sunday a month. A Denominational School was established by the congregation in 1858. Thirty-six students attended the school in the first year, with student numbers rising steadily due to the settlement of the surrounding township and agricultural allotments. The school was struck off the roll on the 31 May 1878, following the construction of a government school, located on the eastern side of the Native Hut Creek.
Many of the district's leading figures have been associated with the Teesdale congregation, including three generations of the Miller family of Gowan Brae who have been Church Elders, Member of the Session and generous benefactors. In the 1950s, the church was enlarged by a weatherboard extension at the rear, housing a new pulpit donated by David Keith Pitcairn Miller and World WarTwo memorial furniture. The windows were replaced at this time introducing a notion of the Gothic Revival style. In 1955, a multi-roomed timber building was relocated to the rear of church to house the Sunday School. The Teesdale Presbyterian Church is one of the few active churches in the Golden Plains Shire to celebrate its 150th anniversary. The Church remains relatively intact with a high degree of integrity.
How is it significant?
The Teesdale Presbyterian Church is of historical, social and architectural significance to the Golden Plains Shire and the township of Teesdale.
Why is it significant?
The Teesdale Presbyterian Church is of historical significance for its role as the first permanent place of worship in the Parish of Leigh for the district's first Scottish Presbyterian squatters and free settlers. Its first trustees: George Russell of Golf Hill, John Bell of Woolbrook and three generations of the Miller family of Gowan Brae demonstrate the cooperation of squatters and settlers in their faith. It has particular historical significance for its association with the Rev. Archibald Simpson, its first minister, who became Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, the highest position for a Presbyterian clergyman.
The Teesdale Presbyterian Church has social significance as a representation of the collective aspirations of the local congregation to establish a place of worship, a Sunday School and, until the introduction of state education, a denominational school, which has served as an important community building since its construction in 1858.
The Teesdale Presbyterian Church has architectural significance as a simple surviving bluestone church, at first astylar but later improved in the Gothic Revival style.
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Teesdale Presbyterian Church - Physical Description 1
The Teesdale Presbyterian Church is located at 42 Pike Street, encompassing allotments 7 -10, section 1 within the township of Teesdale, Parish of Carrah.
The simple church is constructed of bluestone and, until it was remodeled in the early 1950s, was astylar. It features a steep gabled roof clad with corrugated iron and a timber finial at the apex of the gable. Recessed timber-framed lancet windows mounted in cream brickwork replaced the original windows. A small timber porch covers the original entrance and features double timber doors and two amber pained casement widows. The porch has a corrugated iron gable roof. A stone tablet above the porch reads "AD 1858". The interiors have not been inspected.
A weatherboard extension at the rear of the church continues the line of the original bluestone. A large multi-roomed relocated building, clad in vertical timber boards has been introduced adjacent to the timber extension on the southern elevation of the church. It is used as a Sunday School and is accessed by a timber ramp and concrete steps.
The masonry of the church has experienced localised rising damp, warping and cracking in the past, and has been stabilised by steel pins. Otherwise the building appears to remain relatively intact with a high degree of integrity.
The buildings are situated on allotment 9 & 10, section 1, addressing Pyke Street to the north. A grove of Cupressus macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress) with inter-plantings of Cupressus macrocarpa Aurea (Golden Cypress) are the only mature plantings on the site other than perimeter plantings of native trees and shrubs.Teesdale Presbyterian Church - Physical Description 2
Extent of Registration: to the whole of the buildings including the interiors (excluding the rear Sunday School) and the whole of the land, the Cupressus macrocarpa Monterey Cypress grove (excluding and native plantings) being allotment 9 & 10, section 1 township of Teesdale.
Teesdale Presbyterian Church - Integrity
The Church remains relatively intact with a high degree of integrity.
Teesdale Presbyterian Church - Historical Australian Themes
The Australian Heritage Commission devised the Australian Historic Themes in 2001. The following themes have influenced the historical development of the Teesdale Presbyterian Church.
6 Educating
6.1 Forming associations, libraries and institutes for self-education
6.2 Establishing schools
6.5 Educating people in remote places
8 Developing Australia's Cultural Life
8.6 Worshipping
8.6.1 Worshipping together
8.6.2 Maintaining religious traditions and ceremonies
8.6.4 Making places for worship
Heritage Study and Grading
Golden Plains - Golden Plains Shire Heritage Study Phase 2
Author: Heritage Matters P/L
Year: 2009
Grading: Local
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Teesdale War MemorialGolden Plains Shire
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Teesdale State School No. 2065Golden Plains Shire
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Former Presbyterian ChurchNational Trust
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