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St. Andrews Church and Stone Pines
Hamilton Highway MURGHEBOLUC, GOLDEN PLAINS SHIRE

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Golden Plains Shire
Hamilton Hwy Murgheboluc St Andrews Church
Hamilton Hwy Murgheboluc St Andrews Church
Hamilton Hwy Murgheboluc St Andrews Church
104344 Hamilton Highway St Andrew s Anglican Chapel 458
104344 Hamilton Highway St Andrew s Anglican Chapel 459
104344 Hamilton Highway St Andrew s Anglican Chapel 457
Extent of registration map
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Statement of Significance

What is significant?

St Andrew's Church of England and former non-vested school No 470 is sited on a hill overlooking the Barwon River valley at Murgheboluc and faces the Hamilton Highway. It is a small rendered brick building of one room although a timber porch at the front and a timber vestry at the rear are now missing. The building, the second of its type on the site, was built in 1856 and is now the oldest surviving church in the Shire. It was used as a school until 1875 when that function was transferred to its newly built neighbour, State School No 1570. The land and trustees were not formalized until 1864 when four local men were appointed including Edward and Richard Harvey. The Harvey family of The Poplars nearby were active members of the congregation and eventually purchased the land and the building. The chapel has not been used for religious purposes since 1946. It remains relatively intact with fair integrity but in poor condition.

How is it Significant?

St Andrew's Church of England, Hamilton Highway, Murgheboluc is of historical, social and architectural significance to the Golden Plains Shire.

Why is it Significant?

St Andrew's Church of England, Hamilton Highway, Murgheboluc is of historical significance for its early date and its typical dual function of church and school. It is the oldest surviving church in the Shire. It is representative of the modest places of worship established in the Shire from the 1850s and can be compared with the small churches built by the Presbyterian, Methodist and Catholic settlers. The building is of architectural significance for the simplicity of its form, detailing and materials. Its deliberately elevated situation and grove of Pinus pinea (Stone Pines) add to the significance of the place.

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    • Physical Description 1

      St. Andrews Church and Stone Pines - Physical Description 1

      St Andrew's Church of England is sited on a hill overlooking the Barwon River valley at Murgheboluc and faces the Hamilton Highway. Formerly used as a non-vested primary school, it is located immediately west of its successor, the former State School No. 1570. The small rendered brick building, effectively a chapel-of-ease, has a shallow-gabled roof, with a simple entrance in the south elevation, three windows on the east elevation (but none on the west) and a door in the rear. Markings on the wall indicate a timber porch is missing from the front and there was a small timber vestry at the rear. An igneous stone, possibly Merri Creek tufa, in the gable has the date 'A. D. 1856' carved into it. The interior has been stripped of furniture and fittings. The doors and windows are now shuttered with sheet iron. The roof is corrugated iron and has two patent ventilators along the ridge line. Behind the building there is a grove of three Pinus pinea (Stone Pines). A track, now grassed, has been formed in the hillside leading up from the road below. The elevated chapel is the focus of the landscape. It evokes an Italianate association with the trees behind it, sheep grazing in the grounds and the simplicity of its architecture.

      Historical Australian Themes

      St. Andrews Church and Stone Pines - Historical Australian Themes

      The Australian Heritage Commission devised the Australian Historic Themes in 2001. The following themes have influenced the historical development of St Aidan's Church of England.

      6 Educating

      6.2 Establishing schools

      6.5 Educating people in remote places

      8 Developing Australia's Cultural Life

      8.5 Forming associations

      8.5.1 Preserving traditions and group memories

      8.5.3 Associating for mutual aid

      8.6 Worshipping

      8.6.1 Worshipping together

      8.6.2 Maintaining religious traditions and ceremonies

      8.6.4 Making places for worship

      8.14 Living in the country and rural settlements

      Intactness

      St. Andrews Church and Stone Pines - Intactness

      The church has lost its timber front porch and timber vestry at the rear. The interior has been stripped of its furnishings and fittings. The windows, later replacements, and the front and rear door are now shuttered with sheet metal. The building has a fair degree of intactness.

      Integrity

      St. Andrews Church and Stone Pines - Integrity

      The building retains only a low degree of integrity.

      Physical Description 2

      St. Andrews Church and Stone Pines - Physical Description 2

      Extent of Registration: The whole of the building including the interiors, the three Pinus pinea (Stone Pines) at the rear, the drive, and the whole of the land comprising two acres (0.8 ha).

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Golden Plains - Golden Plains Shire Heritage Study Phase 2

      Author: Heritage Matters P/L
      Year: 2009
      Grading: Local

Public contributions

Note: Developments may span multiple time periods
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