ST FRANCIS' RC CHURCH
344 LONSDALE STREET MELBOURNE, MELBOURNE CITY
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Statement of Significance
This place is included on the Victorian Heritage Inventory, for its potential to contain historical archaeological remains associated with the settlement and growth of early Melbourne. Under the terms of the Heritage Act 2017 there is protection for all historical archaeology sites and objects in the state.
Please visit the Heritage Victoria website to find out more about the Heritage Inventory.
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ST FRANCIS' RC CHURCH - History
Heritage Inventory History of Site: Date of first documented occupation,1846Heritage Inventory Description
ST FRANCIS' RC CHURCH - Heritage Inventory Description
1850 & 1855 maps show church, parsonage & school buildings. 1880 Panoramas show church and two storey residence & other church buildings (either school or monastry) fronting Little Lonsdale Street.1905 - shows church, parsonage and school buildings.
Heritage Inventory Significance: THE FIRST ST FRANCIS CHURCH, A SIMPLE TIMBER STRUCTURE, WAS ERECTED ON THIS SITE IN 1839. THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE PRESENT BRICK AND STUCCO BUILDING WAS LAID IN 1841 BY FATHER GEOGHEGAN, MELBOURNE'S FIRST ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST. THE CHURCH WAS COMPLETED IN 1845, THE ARCHITECT WAS SAMUEL JACKSON. THE CEDAR PANELLED CEILING WAS INSTALLED IN 1850. THE CHURCH CHAPEL WAS ADDED IN 1856, THE NEW SANCTUARY 1879 AND THE NEW CONFESSIONALS AND FRONT PORCH IN 1956. THIS IS VICTORIA'S OLDEST ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE OLDEST CHURCH IN MELBOURNE STILL REMAINING ON ITS ORIGINAL SITE. IT HAS HIGHLY IMPORTANT HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL ASSOCIATIONS WITH THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY. THE ORIGINAL SIMPLE GOTHIC CHURCH INCORPORATES MOTIFS THAT ARE UNIQUE IN VICTORIA AND EPITOMIZES THE CHARACTER OF EARLY MELBOURNE ARCHITECTURE. IT IS THE BEST SURVIVING EXAMPLE OF MELBOURNE'S EARLY ARCHITECT, SAMUEL JACKSON. THE LADY CHAPEL IS AN IMPORTANT LATER ADDITION. THE PALISADING IS NOTABLE. MOST OF THE ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKEN IN A SYMPATHETIC WAY, OR ARE OF INDIVIDUAL, HISTORIC OR ARCHITECTURAL IMPORTANCE. SMALL EXCEPTIONS INCLUDE THE INTERIOR FLUORESCENT LIGHTING IN THE NAVE. OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE.
Archeological Potential: Extant bldg Fabric,Potential (area)
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FORMER CARLTON AND UNITED BREWERYVictorian Heritage Register H0024
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ROSAVILLEVictorian Heritage Register H0408
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MEDLEY HALLVictorian Heritage Register H0409
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