HOLY TRINITY ANGLICAN CHURCH COMPLEX

61-63 CHURCH STREET COLERAINE, SOUTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE

All information on this page is maintained by Heritage Victoria. Click below for their website and contact details.

Victorian Heritage Register

HOLY TRINITY ANGLICAN CHURCH COMPLEX SOHE 2008

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • History

    HOLY TRINITY ANGLICAN CHURCH COMPLEX - History

    Holy Trinity Church Coleraine was built in 1865 to a design by Hamilton architect James H. Fox. J. H. Fox called for tenders on 24 December 1864 for a church at Coleraine. The foundation stone was laid on 8 February 1865 by the Rev. Dr Francis Thomas Cusack Russell. Construction took two years and the first service was held on 4 November 1866. Contractors were John Benson and Robert Gaskin, masons and Stephen Searle, carpenter. The chancel or apse was built in 1877 and the altar moved to the east end. In 1887 the height of the tower was extended and a set of eight carillon bells installed from John Warner and Sons London. The organ chamber and organ by Meadway and Slatterie of Melbourne were added in 1921. The brass lectern described in the Cyclopedia of Victoria as the most artistic feature was presented by Samuel Pratt Winter as a memorial to Cusack Russell. Designed and engraved by the Rev Roland Herbert Cooke, Yorkshire, brother of Cecil Pybus Cooke, it features carvings of prophets and evangelists and is decorated with large agates from Bombay, bluestones from Switzerland and Derbyshire spa purple stones.

    The church is in the Gothic Revival style with a nave of four bays, a south aisle added later and subsequently altered, a vestry and a polygonal apse used as a chancel. The building's foundations are bluestone and the walls constructed of the local freestone with mouldings, quoins and other architectural details in dressed sandstone quarried from Tahara. The west wall includes five simple lancet windows with early stained glass and a ventilator above shaped as a nimbus with timber louvres. The windows were donated by Samuel Pratt Winter in memory of his cousin Benjamin who had died at Murndal in 1844. They have been identified as outstanding examples of stained glass with close similarities to the work of John Hardman & Co. of Birmingham. The stained glass windows of the chancel were a memorial to Rev. Russell donated by local merchant George Trangmar. The three windows The Nativity, The Crucifixion and The Resurrection were manufactured by Melbourne firm Ferguson & Urie, a firm supported by Cusack Russell by ordering windows for the churches at Casterton, Digby and Merino. The Resurrection has been described as one of Ferguson & Urie's best examples. The oriel window in the clerestory south nave by Ferguson & Urie is one of a number of symbolic windows in the church.
    

    Baptismal fonts: The original font was made by Mr Priest and given by him to the church. It was later given to St Peter's Tahara and then to Christ Church Wannon and finally returned to Holy Trinity. The present font was bought in 1904 with a generous legacy from the Edward Henty Estate and is a memorial to Anna Maria born 1819 and died 1901, wife of Edward Henty.

    Meadway & Slatterie organ: In May 19191 due largely to the efforts of Robert Poynter a new organ was commissioned. Dr A. E. Floyd, organist at St Paul's Cathedral Melbourne drew up the specifications and supervised every detail of its construction. It was dedicated by Archdeacon Bennett on 21 December 1921.

    The original pews were replaced in the 1960s. The structural soundness of the south wall became a major issue by 1990 when it was substantially modified. The chancel arch was rebuilt with deeper foundations. The south wall was removed, the foundations stabilised with concrete, a south aisle added and the wall rebuilt with modern glazing inserted. The stained glass sections of the clerestory windows were removed and inserted into the modern glass. The original slate roof was replaced by a Colorbond roof in 1990.

    The architect, James Henry Fox, designed a number of buildings, including many churches in the Western District. Two of his residential works, Chatsworth House, 1858-9 (H0325) and Werribee Park 1873-8 (H1613), are included on the Victorian Heritage Register.

    The two storey Federation Queen Anne style vicarage is framed in Oregon and clad in weatherboards. The irregular composition of the house is picturesque with steeply pitched rough cast and half timbered gables, dormer windows and tall chimneys. The vicarage was commenced in September 1901 and completed in January 1902 to a design by Ussher & Kemp. Originally the house was to have a galvanised iron roof but Samuel Winter Cooke paid the difference for a terracotta tile roof. A marble mantelpiece from the Wannon parsonage was installed in the front sitting room. In 1971 the front bedroom was converted into a kitchen. The kitchen originally was located at the back of the house. Extensive works were carried out in 1983 including replacing the tile roof with a lighter substitute, replastering walls and conversion of the old kitchen into a bedroom. The window of the front bay has been replaced.

    Francis Thomas Cusack Russell (1823-1876) Anglican clergyman came from Ireland to NSW in 1847. Russell and another Irishman Peter Beamish were suspended by the Bishop of Sydney after they criticised him on doctrinal matters. They offered their services to Bishop Perry of Melbourne and eventually Russell was sent to the Wannon River area. He became known as the Apostle of the Western District and his parish included Heywood, Digby, Henty, Sandford, Casterton, Hamilton, Harrow, Balmoral and Coleraine. He visited each parish travelling continually until eventually a parsonage was built on the Tahara estate with the help of his supporter Samuel Pratt Winter. At Tahara on the north side of the road at the Coleraine end there is a gum tree called Dr Russell's Post Office tree where people would leave messages for him. He was responsible for building churches at Branxholme, Casterton, Coleraine, Digby, Henty and Merino.

    The Quercus robur, English Oak, is believed to have been planted by local school children for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887. The original timber picket fence was replaced by a masonry memorial fence in 1954 and later replaced by the current concrete block fence.
    
    Rev Francis Cusack Russell
    Holy Trinity Church complex is of historical significance for its associations with the Rev Dr Francis Thomas Cusack Russell (1823-1876), a significant figure in Anglican Church history in Victoria. Russell came from Ireland to NSW in 1847 and was later, along with another Irishman Peter Beamish, suspended by the Bishop of Sydney for criticising him on doctrinal matters. They offered their services to Bishop Perry of Melbourne and eventually Russell was sent to the Wannon River area. He became known as the Apostle of the Western District and his parish extended from Heywood to the South Australian border. He travelled continually around his parish until eventually a parsonage was built on the Tahara estate with the help of his friend and supporter Samuel Pratt Winter. The complex also has historical significance for its associations with important early settlers such as the Winter Cooke family. The donation of land, objects and furnishings reflects the tradition of wealth and patronage of pastoralists and the strong links between landowners, community and church.

    Violet Teague
    An oil painting of the Madonna and Child in triptych by Violet Teague was brought to Holy Trinity Church after services ceased at Christ Church Wannon in the 1960s and was recently transferred to the Hamilton Art Gallery. A reproduction of the painting is in the Coleraine church. Violet Teague was the sister of Dr Daniel Teague who was a doctor in Hamilton and two of his daughters Helen and Sybil were the models for the cherubs and his son Nigel (Paddy) was the Christ child.

    Violet Teague, born in 1872 in Melbourne, is one of the many Australian women painters whose extensive body of work has been neglected by history until recently. She was exhibited widely during her lifetime, Teague died in 1951, with her work being included in collaborative exhibitions with her artistic contemporaries and solo exhibitions. Although her paintings were well regarded at the time, even awarded internationally, they stood apart from the mainstream and were consequently neglected in the story of Australian art. After her death, Teague's work continued to be exhibited. Her work ranged from detailed oil paintings and portraiture, Japanese influenced woodcuts, the painting of several pieces with religious themes and to working with watercolours over the course of her lengthy career as an artist.

    Other examples of altarpieces:

    The Adoration of the Shepherds, 1921, St. Peters Anglican Church, Kinglake West, now located, although not behind the altar, at St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne.

    Adoration of Angels, of Shepherds, of Kings, 1931 St. James the Less, Mt Eliza.

    Christ at the Carpenter's Bench, 1935 for the W.J. Schutt Memorial Chapel at St Paul's Training School for Boys at Newhaven, Phillip Island. Remains in original position.

    Epiphany in the Snows, 1935 formerly in the Cathedral of the Arctic Aklavik, Canada. (Destroyed).

    Flight into Egypt, 1946 for Church of Christ, Carlisle River, Otways Victoria.

    Additional untraced altarpiece exhibited in the 1902 Annual VAS Exhibition.

    Plaque Citation

    HOLY TRINITY ANGLICAN CHURCH COMPLEX - Plaque Citation

    The foundation stone for Holy Trinity Church, built to a design by James H. Fox, was laid on 8 February 1865 by Rev. Dr Francis Cusack Russell and the first service held on 4 November 1866.

    Permit Exemptions

    HOLY TRINITY ANGLICAN CHURCH COMPLEX - Permit Exemptions

    General Exemptions:

    General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.

    Places of worship: In some circumstances, you can alter a place of worship to accommodate religious practices without a permit, but you must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria before you start the works or activities at least 20 business days before the works or activities are to commence.

    Subdivision/consolidation: Permit exemptions exist for some subdivisions and consolidations. If the subdivision or consolidation is in accordance with a planning permit granted under Part 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the application for the planning permit was referred to the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as a determining referral authority, a permit is not required.

    Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions.

    Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.

    Specific Exemptions:

    General Conditions: 1. All exempted alterations are to be planned and carried out in a manner which prevents damage to the fabric of the registered place or object. General Conditions: 2. Should it become apparent during further inspection or the carrying out of works that original or previously hidden or inaccessible details of the place or object are revealed which relate to the significance of the place or object, then the exemption covering such works shall cease and Heritage Victoria shall be notified as soon as possible. General Conditions: 3. If there is a conservation policy and plan endorsed by the Executive Director, all works shall be in accordance with it. Note: The existence of a Conservation Management Plan or a Heritage Action Plan endorsed by the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria provides guidance for the management of the heritage values associated with the site. It may not be necessary to obtain a heritage permit for certain works specified in the management plan. General Conditions: 4. Nothing in this determination prevents the Executive Director from amending or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions. General Conditions: 5. Nothing in this determination exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility to seek relevant planning or building permits from the responsible authorities where applicable.

    Minor Works : Note: Any Minor Works that in the opinion of the Executive Director will not adversely affect the heritage significance of the place may be exempt from the permit requirements of the Heritage Act. A person proposing to undertake minor works may submit a proposal to the Executive Director. If the Executive Director is satisfied that the proposed works will not adversely affect the heritage values of the site, the applicant may be exempted from the requirement to obtain a heritage permit. If an applicant is uncertain whether a heritage permit is required, it is recommended that the permits co-ordinator be contacted.
    

    Exterior:

    Installation, repair, removal or replacement of fences and gates.

    Interior of church:

    Painting of previously painted walls and ceilings provided that preparation or painting does not remove evidence of the original paint or other decorative scheme.
    Removal of paint from originally unpainted or oiled joinery, doors, architraves, skirtings and decorative strapping.
    Installation of damp-proofing by a method approved by Heritage Victoria.
    Installation, removal or replacement of curtain track, rods, blinds and other window dressings.
    Installation, removal or replacement of hooks, nails and other devices for the hanging of mirrors, paintings and other wall mounted artworks.
    Installation, removal or replacement of carpets and/or flexible floor coverings.
    Installation, removal or replacement of electrical wiring provided that all new wiring is fully concealed.
    Installation, removal or replacement of smoke detectors.

    Vicarage:

    Any works to the interiors of the building, except removal of the Wannon parsonage mantelpiece.

    Landscape:

    The process of gardening and maintenance, mowing, hedge clipping, bedding displays, removal of dead plants, disease and weed control, emergency and safety works to care for existing plants and planting themes.

    Repairs, conservation and maintenance to hard landscape elements, buildings, structures, ornaments, roads and paths, drainage and irrigation system.

    Management of trees in accordance with Australian Standard, Pruning of amenity trees AS4373.

    Removal of plants listed as noxious weeds in the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.

    Installation, removal or replacement of garden watering and drainage systems.

    Non-structural works that occur at a distance greater than 5 metres from the canopy edge of a significant tree, plant or hedge, (structural works may require a permit if still on the registered land).

    Non-commercial signage, lighting, security fire safety and other safety requirements, provided no structural building occurs.
    Resurfacing of existing paths and driveways.

    Permit Exemption Policy

    HOLY TRINITY ANGLICAN CHURCH COMPLEX - Permit Exemption Policy

    The primary significance of the complex lies in the historical associations with the Rev Dr Russell and the tradition of patronage by pastoralist families. Important elements of the church include the stained glass windows, the brass lectern, fonts and organ.

    The purpose of the permit exemptions is to allow works that do not impact on the significance of the place and objects to occur without the need for a permit. Alterations that impact on the significance of the church and the exterior of the vicarage are subject to permit applications, but changes may be made to the interior of the vicarage without the need for a permit (except for the removal of the Wannon parsonage mantelpiece). Any new buildings on registered land would require a permit. Works, including demolition and internal modification (but not additions), to the non-registered garage do not require a permit.

    Removal of the registered objects would be subject to permit application. Heritage Victoria should be consulted before any restoration or repairs to the registered objects are carried out. Permit exemptions may be granted for the registered objects should a Conservation Management Policy be completed and endorsed by the Executive Director.
• Location map
• Explore related places
  • Show:
    -- select -- Nearby Places Same era

  • 
    MECHANICS INSTITUTE

    

    Southern Grampians Shire
  • 
    COLERAINE COURTHOUSE (FORMER)

    

    Southern Grampians Shire
  • STORE (FORMER) AND BOARDING HOUSE

    

    Southern Grampians Shire

  • 
    'The Pines' Scout Camp

    

    Hobsons Bay City
  • 
    106 Nicholson Street

    

    Yarra City
  • 
    12 Gore Street

    

    Yarra City
• Public contributions

  Notes See all notes

  Rev F. C. Russell memorial window, Holy Trinity, Coleraine

  Ray Brown • 05/11/16

  The three windows in the chancel were made by the Ferguson & Urie stained glass company of North Melbourne in 1877. They depict the Nativity, Crucifixion and Resurrection and were donated by the western district colonist George Trangmar in memory of the Reverend Francis Cusack Russell. See: http://wp.me/p28nLD-17p

  Images See all images

  • 

    Rev F.C. Russell memorial windows, Holy Trinity, Coleraine

    Ray Brown