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ABERFELDIE UNITING CHURCH (FORMER)
65 WAVERLEY STREET,, MOONEE PONDS VIC 3039 - Property No 193132

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65 Waverly Street.JPG
65 Waverly Street.JPG
65 Waverly Street.JPG
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Statement of Significance

The former Aberfeldie Methodist Church complex at 65 Waverley Street Moonee Ponds, includes the relocated Moonee Ponds Bible Christian Church of 1892 and the present church erected in 1926. It has historic and aesthetic importance. It is historically important (Criterion A) for its capacity to offer insights into tho evolution of the Uniting Church in the area, the buildings directly recalling the time of the Bible Christian Church (the present hall) and the Aberfeldie Methodist church prior to the formation of the Uniting Church in Australia, They are historically important also for their associations with the Moonee Ponds community and its life of worship since 1892, the objects funded by the Time and Talent Movement evoking past images of church life.

The complex is aesthetically important (Criterion E) on account of the brick church as a representative and picturesque example of the Gothic Revival style as it had developed by the time of the post great War period and having a prominent aspect over Waverley street. The combination of Gothic Revival and Arts and Crafts influences are the central to the interpretation of its aesthetic values. The hall compares with the St James Anglican church building in Hudson street Moonee Ponds, although this structure has an intact exterior, and is aesthetically important on account of its surviving timber ceiling and ornamental structural system being a fine and substantially intact example of late nineteenth century practices.

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    • Physical Description 1

      ABERFELDIE UNITING CHURCH (FORMER) - Physical Description 1

      A small red brick and cement Gothic Revival church showing Arts and Crafts influence in its proportions, buttressed porch entry in cement, window configuration and simplified ornamentation, It is symmetrical about the front entry which is given emphasis with a lantern, lHS motif in cast cement and surmounting west window, The apex of the gable is in cement using vertical strapwork and lancet arched motifs in a manner which reinforces the Arts and Crafts character. The windows are leadlit , those to the sidesof the porch employing the alpha and omega symbols.

      Inside, there are king post trusses with rental ties and hammer beam terminations. The ceiling linings are v-jointed varnished timber and emphasis is given to the in situ organ by means of a blind lancet arch. The floor is sloping in the manner of the time for Methodist churches and the decoration of the west window is restrained. There is a pulpit and clock erected with funds provided by the ladies Time and Talent Movement. The bays to the side of the narthex are in tuck pointed red brick in contrast with the solid plaster walls of the nave and there is a terrazzo floor to the Waverley street end of the building The minister's vestry and choir room are at the rear.

      The timber framed hall has a red brick inter-war addition at the front. It is a plain gable roofed building with roof vents and oculus vent in the gable end. The front section consists of a foyer with symmetrical windows about the entry similar to the main church. The front door and porch are recent. The main hall has a cement finish on the timber frame and has been reinforced to give the walls stability. The rear kitchen and associated rooms may be later, The main barges are chamfered with evidence of removed joinery and the sidewalls have plain lancet arched windows.

      Inside, the ceiling is the most distinctive element being coved (mansard shaped) with varnished diagonal timber linings, decorative knee braces and ventilators. The walls have a varnished timber dado and there is a cast plaster proscenium arch to the stage.

      Integrity

      ABERFELDIE UNITING CHURCH (FORMER) - Integrity

      Condition: Sound. Integrity: High (Church). Medium (Hall).

      Historical Australian Themes

      ABERFELDIE UNITING CHURCH (FORMER) - Historical Australian Themes

      8.6 Worshipping

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Moonee Valley - City of Moonee Valley Heritage Study

      Author: Andrew Ward
      Year: 1998
      Grading:

Public contributions

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