Back to search results

ST PAUL'S ANGLICAN CHURCH
175 LATROBE TERRACE GEELONG, GREATER GEELONG CITY

All information on this page is maintained by Heritage Victoria. Click below for their website and contact details.
Victorian Heritage Register
ST PAULS CHURCH OF ENGLAND SOHE 2008
ST PAULS CHURCH OF ENGLAND SOHE 2008
ST PAULS CHURCH OF ENGLAND SOHE 2008
ST PAULS CHURCH OF ENGLAND SOHE 2008
ST PAULS CHURCH OF ENGLAND SOHE 2008
ST PAULS CHURCH OF ENGLAND SOHE 2008
ST PAULS CHURCH OF ENGLAND SOHE 2008
1 st pauls church of england geelong front view
st pauls church of england geelong bell tower
st pauls church of england geelong kindergarten hall
Diagram 187.JPG
On this page:

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
Early Melbourne architect Charles Laing designed St Paul's Church of England, Geelong. It was the second Anglican church built in the township, in response to the rapid population growth in the area. Construction commenced after the first sod was turned on the site in December 1850 by Governor Charles J Latrobe and the foundation stone was laid by Bishop Perry. Completion of the first stage of the church was delayed until the mid 1850s due to the shortage of labour caused by the gold rush, and architects Snell and Kawerau were responsible for work carried out in 1853 and Snell and Prowse for work undertaken in 1855. Further work, including the extension of the chancel, was completed in 1863 and the tower was built in 1865, designed by architect Leonard Terry. A new sanctuary was opened in 1877 and various repair and restoration works were undertaken from 1887.

The church is generally Early English Gothic in character. It is of simple nave form with stepped buttresses, and a central front tower, which incorporates a round Norman arched opening and perpendicular Gothic windows, crenulated parapet and pinnacles above. The building is constructed of face brick, unusual for this period, and has freestone dressings and a slate roof. Unusual tall timber columns provide internal support to the structure.

In 1880 a Sunday School building, designed by architects Alexander Davidson and Company, was constructed at the north-west corner of the site. Like the earlier church building, it was constructed in brick with a slate roof, but adopted a more picturesque form of the Gothic Revival style. In 1884 a brick Infant School was built, similar in design to the Sunday School. These later became known as the Parish Hall and Choir Hall respectively. A fourth building on the site is the timber Union Hall which was originally built near the parsonage in 1891, to designs by the architects Laird and Barlow. After several relocations, this hall was finally located between the Union and Choir Halls in 1978.

How is it significant?
St Paul's Church of England, Geelong is of architectural and historical significance to the State of Victoria.

Why is it significant?
St Paul's Church of England, Geelong is of architectural significance as a work of Charles Laing who was one of Melbourne's first professional architects and city surveyor of Melbourne from 1845 to 1850. Laing also ran an office in Geelong in the early 1850s. The later involvement of prolific Melbourne architect, Leonard Terry, the Anglican Diocesan Architect (1825-1884), is also of significance.

St Paul's Church of England, Geelong is of architectural significance for both its use of face brick externally and timber columns for internal support. It is the earliest known 19th century Gothic Revival Church in Victoria to adopt both these.

St Paul's Church of England is of historical significance as an early building constructed for the Anglican Church in Victoria and for its association with the early development of Geelong from the late 1840s. In addition to the church, the retention of three 19th century halls on the site, built in 1880, 1884 and 1891, is also of importance.

[Online Data Upgrade Project 2007]

Show more
Show less

    • History

      ST PAUL'S ANGLICAN CHURCH - History

      Early Melbourne architect Charles Laing designed St Paul's Church of England, Geelong. It was the second Anglican church built in the township, in response to the rapid population growth in the area. Construction commenced after the first sod was turned on the site in December 1850 by Governor Charles J Latrobe and the foundation stone was laid by Bishop Perry. Completion of the first stage of the church was delayed until the mid 1850s due to the shortage of labour caused by the gold rush, and architects Snell and Kawerau were responsible for work carried out in 1853 and Snell and Prowse for work undertaken in 1855. Further work, including the extension of the chancel, was completed in 1863 and the tower was built in 1865, designed by architect Leonard Terry. A new sanctuary was opened in 1877 and various repair and restoration works were undertaken from 1887.

      In 1880 a Sunday School building, designed by architects Alexander Davidson and Company, was constructed at the north-west corner of the site. Like the earlier church building, it was constructed in brick with a slate roof, but adopted a more picturesque form of the Gothic Revival style. In 1884 a brick Infant School was built, similar in design to the Sunday School. These later became known as the Parish Hall and Choir Hall respectively. A fourth building on the site is the timber Union Hall which was originally built near the parsonage in 1891, to designs by the architects Laird and Barlow. After several relocations, this hall was finally located between the Union and Choir Halls in 1978.

      The draft statement of significance and the above history were produced as part of an Online Data Upgrade Project 2007. Sources were as follows:
      L. Huddle. Architects in Geelong in the 1840s and 1850s. 1979
      M. Lewis. Victorian Churches: their origins, their story and their architecture. Melbourne 1991

      Permit Exemptions

      ST PAUL'S ANGLICAN CHURCH - Permit Exemptions

      General Exemptions:

      General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.

      Places of worship: In some circumstances, you can alter a place of worship to accommodate religious practices without a permit, but you must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria before you start the works or activities at least 20 business days before the works or activities are to commence.

      Subdivision/consolidation: Permit exemptions exist for some subdivisions and consolidations. If the subdivision or consolidation is in accordance with a planning permit granted under Part 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the application for the planning permit was referred to the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as a determining referral authority, a permit is not required.

      Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions.

      Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.

      Specific Exemptions:

      General Conditions: 1. All exempted alterations are to be planned and carried out in a manner which prevents damage to the fabric of the registered place or object. General Conditions: 2. Should it become apparent during further inspection or the carrying out of works that original or previously hidden or inaccessible details of the place or object are revealed which relate to the significance of the place or object, then the exemption covering such works shall cease and Heritage Victoria shall be notified as soon as possible. Note: All archaeological places have the potential to contain significant sub-surface artefacts and other remains. In most cases it will be necessary to obtain approval from the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria before the undertaking any works that have a significant sub-surface component.

      General Conditions: 3. If there is a conservation policy and planall works shall be in accordance with it. Note:A Conservation Management Plan or a Heritage Action Planprovides guidance for the management of the heritage values associated with the site. It may not be necessary to obtain a heritage permit for certain works specified in the management plan.

      General Conditions: 4. Nothing in this determination prevents the Executive Director from amending or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions. General Conditions: 5. Nothing in this determination exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility to seek relevant planning or building permits from the responsible authorities where applicable. Minor Works : Note: Any Minor Works that in the opinion of the Executive Director will not adversely affect the heritage significance of the place may be exempt from the permit requirements of the Heritage Act. A person proposing to undertake minor works must submit a proposal to the Executive Director. If the Executive Director is satisfied that the proposed works will not adversely affect the heritage values of the site, the applicant may be exempted from the requirement to obtain a heritage permit. If an applicant is uncertain whether a heritage permit is required, it is recommended that the permits co-ordinator be contacted.

      Specific exemptions:

      Exterior

      . Minor repairs and maintenance which replace like with like.

      . Removal of non-original items such as air conditioners, pipe work, ducting, wiring, antennae, aerials etc, and making good.

      . Installation or removal of non-original external fixtures and fittings such as hot water services and taps.

      . Installation and repairing of damp proofing by either injection method or grouted pocket method.

      Interior

      . Painting of previously painted walls and ceilings provided that preparation or painting does not remove evidence of any original paint or other decorative scheme.

      . Installation, removal or replacement of non-original carpets and/or flexible floor coverings.

      . Installation, removal or replacement of non-original curtain tracks, rods and blinds.

      . Installation, removal or replacement of hooks, nails and other devices for the hanging of mirrors, paintings and other wall mounted art or religious works or icons.

      . Installation of honour boards and the like.

      . Removal or installation of notice boards.

      . Demolition or removal of non-original stud/partition walls, suspended ceilings or non-original wall linings (including plasterboard, laminate and Masonite), non-original glazed screens, non-original flush panel or part-glazed laminated doors, aluminium-framed windows, bathroom partitions and tiling, sanitary fixtures and fittings, kitchen wall tiling and equipment, lights, built-in cupboards, cubicle partitions, computer and office fitout and the like.

      . Removal or replacement of non-original door and window furniture including, hinges, locks, knobsets and sash lifts.

      . Removal of non-original glazing to internal timber-framed, double hung sash windows, and replacement with clear or plain opaque glass.

      . Refurbishment of existing bathrooms, toilets and kitchens including removal, installation or replacement of sanitary fixtures and associated piping, mirrors, wall and floor coverings.

      . Removal of tiling or concrete slabs in wet areas provided there is no damage to or alteration of original structure or fabric.

      . Installation, removal or replacement of ducted, hydronic or concealed radiant type heating provided that the installation does not damage existing skirtings and architraves and that the central plant is concealed.

      . Installation, removal or replacement of electrical wiring provided that all new wiring is fully concealed and any original light switches, pull cords, push buttons or power outlets are retained in-situ. Note: if wiring original to the place was carried in timber conduits then the conduits should remain in situ.

      . Installation, removal or replacement of electric clocks, public address systems, detectors, alarms, emergency lights, exit signs, luminaires and the like on plaster surfaces.

      . Installation, removal or replacement of bulk insulation in the roof space.

      . Installation of plant within the roof space.

      . Installation of new fire hydrant services including sprinklers, fire doors and elements affixed to plaster surfaces.

      . Installation of new built-in cupboards providing no alteration to the structure is required.

      . Removal of non-original shower and toilet partitioning and non-structural walls in bathrooms.

      Maintenance and security

      . Erecting, repairing and maintaining existing signage (directional signage, road signs, speed signs).

Public contributions

Note: Developments may span multiple time periods
Timeline browser

< to 1849
< - 1849
1850 to 1879
1850 - 1879
1880 to 1909
1880 - 1909
1910 to 1939
1910 - 1939
1940 to 1969
1940 - 1969
1970 to 1999
1970 - 1999
2000 to >
2000 - >