Free Presbyterian Church
Brown Street HAMILTON, Southern Grampians Shire
Gray St Commercial Precinct Hamilton
-
Add to tour
You must log in to do that.
-
Share
-
Shortlist place
You must log in to do that.
- Download report
Statement of Significance
SIGNIFICANCE: »Important for its historical associations with the staunch Calvinist branch of Presbyterianism, the expression of those principles in its architecture and for its dominant role in the streetscape.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Free Presbyterian Church
Brown Street
The Free Presbyterian Gaelic Church (or the Free Church of Scotland) is of local significance for its simple Gothic Revival architecture and for its historical associations. The Presbyterian congregation in Hamilton had formed in 1854 including some of the most important early pioneers. It was granted land opposite the Church of England at the corner of Gray and McIntyre Streets where a church was started in 1857. ([i]) A staunchly Calvinist breakaway group formed a new congregation in 1859. ([ii]) Its Free Presbyterian Church was built in Brown Street some time after 1860 on land originally sold to or reserved for the congregation in the same year. ([iii]) This congregation, compared with that of St Andrew's, always remained small and at times barely managed to stay in existence. ([iv])
The austere architecture of the building reflects the principles of the congregation. It is very simple and is without any decoration. The "west window" is remarkably abstract. There is no garden. The building remains significantly intact, although the brickwork has been painted, and is in good condition. It is a critical part of the streetscape and is the only religious building in the commercial area around Gray Street but relates to the nearby Uniting Church in Lonsdale Street.
[i] Garden, D, Hamilton, p 43. This would later be the site of the St Andrew's Presbyterian Church.
[ii] Ibid, p 63.
[iii] This may be incorrect because the Parish Plan is indistinct.
[iv] Garden, p 127.
-
-
Free Presbyterian Church - Physical Description 1
MATERIALS:
Roof: »corrugated iron
Walls: »brick (painted)
Dressings: »brick
Plinth: »brick
Windows: »fixed timber
Paving: »concrete
Other: »timber doorFree Presbyterian Church - Physical Description 2
NOTABLE FEATURES:» "west window" and simplicity of detailing
Free Presbyterian Church - Integrity
INTEGRITY:G
CONDITION:G
Free Presbyterian Church - Historical Australian Themes
ASSOCIATED HISTORIC THEMES
Evolution of the Town: 1860s
Religion: Presbyterianism
Heritage Study and Grading
Southern Grampians - City of Hamilton Conservation Study
Author: Timothy Hubbard with Carlotta Kellaway & Michael Looker (plus Francis Punch)
Year: 1991
Grading: C
-
-
-
-
-
MECHANICS INSTITUTEVictorian Heritage Register H2171
-
HAMILTON BOTANIC GARDENSVictorian Heritage Register H2185
-
FORMER HAMILTON TUBERCULOSIS CHALETVictorian Heritage Register H1066
-
'Altona' Homestead (Formerly 'Laverton' Homestead) and Logan ReserveHobsons Bay City
-
-