St. Agnes Anglican Church and Vicarage
114-116 Booran Road GLEN HUNTLY, Glen Eira City
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Statement of Significance
It is historically significant (criterion A) to the extent that its architectural expression and date of construction demonstrate its close association with the growth of the suburb of Glen Huntly which expanded dramatically during the Inter-War years.
It is aesthetically significant (Criterion E) as a highly picturesque and sophisticated demonstration of the Italian Romanesque style which had attained popularity in America and especially the West Coast of America during the 1920s where it was a popular choice especially for churches and schools. This importance is enhanced by the high level of integrity of the place, the principal elements of the building that contribute to its stylistic values including the ceiling treatments and lighting including fenestration, the bell tower and Lombardic ornamentation and the symmetry of the composition.
The church is important also as an example of the work of the architects, Marcus Barlow being a leading practitioner in Melbourne during the Inter-War period, better known for his development of the Howey Estate at the Collins/Swanston Street corner but also known for his practice of successfully interpreting American architectural styles.
The adjoining vicarage-is of aesthetic importance in that it establishes the context for the Church and underscores its Inter-War origins.
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St. Agnes Anglican Church and Vicarage - Physical Description 1
A red brick Italian Romanesque church with apsidal, cruciform wings and centrally located bell tower at the front with flanking entrances at the base. Coupled nave windows employ the Serlian motif and have cement dressings. The barges have fretted ornamentation and there is a Lombardic motif to the friezes also in cement.
Emphasis is given to the bell tower by means of an apsidal end at the base, foundation stone and cartouche in freestone reading "St. Agnes", louvred openings and upper sections with a surmounting pyramidal roof with wrought iron cross.
Inside, the porches either side of the facade tower give access to the nave through the baptistery which has a vaulted plaster ceiling. The nave ceiling linings are varnished v-jointed timber in faceted and diagonally opposed panels between the exposed curved lower chords of the trusses. The nave brickwork is red facework relived by the lead lit windows and there is a curved brick archway to the stuccoed and faceted walls of the sanctuary which has been re-organised but retains a ceramic (opus sectile) 'mage of the Last Supper above the altar. The chandeliers in bronze (?) with opalescent lamp shades are presumed to be original. The floor of the nave is occupied by chairs that complement the character of the interior.
The adjoining red brick vicarage at no. 116 is a substantial Californian Bungalow with transverse gable and cross ridged treatment, the gable ends being shingled and forming in one instance a shady porch with tapered rough cast columns. There is a dominant terra cotta tiled roof and winding front garden concrete pathway to the presumed original crimped wire gate. Crimped wire fences survive at the front and along the common side boundary with the church.St. Agnes Anglican Church and Vicarage - Physical Description 2
Condition:Sound
St. Agnes Anglican Church and Vicarage - Physical Description 3
Integrity: High.
St. Agnes Anglican Church and Vicarage - Historical Australian Themes
Worship Anglican (former Church of England)
Heritage Study and Grading
Glen Eira - City of Glen Eira Heritage Management Plan
Author: Andrew Ward, Architectural Historian
Year: 1996
Grading:
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CAULFIELD RACECOURSEVictorian Heritage Register H2415
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LORD LODGEVictorian Heritage Register H0071
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Lord Lodge, 30 Booran RoadGlen Eira City H0071
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