Former St Matthew's Church Hall
145-151 High Street PRAHRAN, Stonnington City
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Statement of Significance
Refer also St Matthew's Church, 157 High Street, Prahran (HO126)
The 1870s bluestone church and the former Sunday School Hall (1891, remodelled 1936) have state significance as an Anglican Church complex, an important community meeting place over many decades.
The former Sunday School is of high architectural significance as an unusual example of a Gothic ecclesiastical building, incorporating elements of architectural folly.
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Former St Matthew's Church Hall - Local Historical Themes
10.2 Worshiping
Former St Matthew's Church Hall - Physical Description 1
In 1891, a brick Sunday School was built for St.Matthews from the designs of the Melbourne architects, Laver and Fick, who were well-known as designers of ecclesiastical buildings.(1) The asymmetricaI facade of this building remains intact at the upper: storey leVel With alterations at street level relating to shop conversions, including a cantilevered verandah. . Important architectural featUres in the facade inciude stone tracery in the afchedwindows of the projecting gables. Elements of architectural folly include decorative 'turrets', finials and terracotta ridge tiles, creating an unusual example of a Gothic eecleslasticitI building. Later, in 1898, a two-storeyed brick parsonage was constructed, designed by the architects Sydney Smith and Ogg.(2) This is the present St Matthews parsonage at 48 The Avenue .
During the 1930s, Louis Williams (Diocesan Architect) was responsible for remodelling the St. Matthews Parish Hall (the former Sunday School); With the aim of providing four shops to the High Street frontage.(3) The row of double storey shops is separated from the church by a large modem building (occupied by the RACV), and clearly reflects its church associations in its architectural detailing.
(1) BEMJ, 28 Nov. 1891, p. 235. Perppective illustration.
(2) BEMJ, 7 June 1898 p. 4.
(3) Herald, 16 Dec, 1936. Coniainsillustrations and perspective views;.MMBWHouse COver No. 10039; Louis Williams collectionofdrawings etc. Picture Collection, SLY.Heritage Study and Grading
Stonnington - Conservation Review City of Prahran Volume 2: Individual Buildings (A1)
Author: Context Pty Ltd
Year: 1993
Grading: A1
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PRIMARY SCHOOL NO. 1467Victorian Heritage Register H1032
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PRAHRAN TOWN HALLVictorian Heritage Register H0203
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FORMER POLICE STATION AND COURT HOUSEVictorian Heritage Register H0542
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