Newtown Mission Uniting Church Including Interior

Item details


Name of item:	Newtown Mission Uniting Church Including Interior
Other name/s:	Newtown Mission Uniting Church; Wesleyan Methodist Church and School Hall
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Religion
Category:	Church
Primary address:	280A-290 King Street, Newtown, NSW 2042
Local govt. area:	Sydney

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
280A-290 King Street	Newtown	Sydney			Primary Address
280A King Street	Newtown	Sydney	Petersham	Cumberland	Alternate Address

Statement of significance:


	The Uniting Church is an important example of the early spread of Methodism in Sydney and throughout NSW. In its surviving fabric, it partially demonstrates the adoption of Gothic design idioms and the use of the 'model' plan adopted as the ideal form by Methodist congregations. The church was an important part of the social and religious life of the Newtown community throughout the 19th century. The building is also an important element in a relatively intact streetscape. (NBRS)
	Date significance updated: 14 Mar 03
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	Allan Mansfield
Builder/Maker:	Thomas Abbott, Organ: Hill & Sons
Physical description:	Two storey Victorian Gothic style church constructed of face brickwork on sandstone base with stone dressings, buttresses and gable roof. The building is symmetrical with triple gothic arched leadlight windows with stone tracery above panelled doors at ground floor level. Remnant elements of cast iron palisade fencing and gates with sandstone gateposts.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Deteriorated and in need of maintenance.
	Date condition updated:03 Feb 03
Modifications and dates:	1864 western gallery erected, 1875 interior extensively altered, 1882 eastern stained glass windows, 1910 organ loft, 1923 & 1940 further renovations.
Further information:	Heritage Inventory sheets are often not comprehensive, and should be regarded as a general guide only. Inventory sheets are based on information available, and often do not include the social history of sites and buildings. Inventory sheets are constantly updated by the City as further information becomes available. An inventory sheet with little information may simply indicate that there has been no building work done to the item recently: it does not mean that items are not significant. Further research is always recommended as part of preparation of development proposals for heritage items, and is necessary in preparation of Heritage Impact Assessments and Conservation Management Plans, so that the significance of heritage items can be fully assessed prior to submitting development applications.

History

Historical notes:

The "Eora people" was the name given to the coastal Aborigines around Sydney. Central Sydney is therefore often referred to as "Eora Country". Within the City of Sydney local government area, the traditional owners are the Cadigal and Wangal bands of the Eora. There is no written record of the name of the language spoken and currently there are debates as whether the coastal peoples spoke a separate language "Eora" or whether this was actually a dialect of the Dharug language. Remnant bushland in places like Blackwattle Bay retain elements of traditional plant, bird and animal life, including fish and rock oysters.

With the invasion of the Sydney region, the Cadigal and Wangal people were decimated but there are descendants still living in Sydney today. All cities include many immigrants in their population. Aboriginal people from across the state have been attracted to suburbs such as Pyrmont, Balmain, Rozelle, Glebe and Redfern since the 1930s. Changes in government legislation in the 1960s provided freedom of movement enabling more Aboriginal people to choose to live in Sydney.

(Information sourced from Anita Heiss, "Aboriginal People and Place", Barani: Indigenous History of Sydney City http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/barani )

The King Street area was first surveyed for land grants in 1793 with the first grants being made to officers of the NSW Corps by Governor Phiillip prior to his return to England. By 1810 much of the land in the area had been distributed and a track established along the boundary of the grants. This track eventually became a road and was first known as Bulanaming Rd from 1789 to 1820 when it then became known as Cooks River Road, and then Newtown Rd in 1855 when the railway from Sydney to Parramatta was opened with a station at Newtown. By the 1850's the area had developed in to an established community. In the 1860's there was lobbying to establish a local council which occurred in 1862. From the 1870's the character began to change with light industry being established in the area resulting in a substantial increase in the population as workers moved to be in close proximity to their workplace. This included the nearby Eveleigh railway yards etsablished in 1879 and expanded in1885. The rapid increase in poulation resulted in the subdivision of the larger estates and the establishment of shops and services. By the 1880's Newtown had become the most flourishing retail area outside of the city and was well served by public transport. The first Methodist services were held in brick cottages at the corner of King and Eliza Sts from about 1840. In1847 the church decided to build at chapel and in 1849 land was purchased at the corner of King St and Erskineville Rd with the chapel completed by 1850. The current church was constructed in 1859 on a new site to accomodate the growing Methodist population in the Newtown area during the period of rapid expansion.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	(none)-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	The Uniting Church, formerly the Wesleyan Chapel has important associations for Australian Wesleyan Methodists in that its origins were determined by the ideas promulgated by Frederick J. Jobson, secretary of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference in 1842. Out of the deliberations of the conference came the decision to hold a competition for a 'Model Church' It was the winning design that formed the basis for this building albeit modified by George Mansfield. (Heritage Office files) The organ was designed by a renowned firm of organ makers and has been a part of the Church since 1878. The modification made to it in 1910 were carried out by a prominent Australian firm - George Finchman and Sons.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	It was the first example of the 'Model Plan' Church to be erected in Australia and has been described as the 'Mother Church of Australian Victorian Methodism'. In view of its antecedent it can be said to be of international style with its adaptation to Australian requirements first by Mansfield and later by Rowe being of particular significance. (Heritage Office files) Technically the organ was of a very advanced design and high standard of workmanship. The modifications made to it in 1910 were done with a similar standard of technical excellence and with respect for its provenance. (Heritage Office files)
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	It is significant for its 130 years of community relationship both of a religious and more recently of a secular nature. (Heritage Office files)
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	The Church is rare in that only two examples at Mudgee and Parramatta are thought to have survived. The organ is rare in that only two other such organs are thought to exist in the State and apart from its early modifications in the early 20th Century it has not been altered since. (Heritage Office files)
Integrity/Intactness:	High
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Recommended management:

The building should be retained and conserved. A Heritage Assessment and Conservation Management Plan should be prepared for the building prior to any major works being undertaken. There shall be no vertical additions to the building and no alterations to the facade of the building other than to reinstate original features. All works shall be in accordance with the King St and Enmore Road Heritage and Urban Design DCP. The building should be retained and conserved. A Heritage Assessment and Heritage Impact Statement, or a Conservation Management Plan, should be prepared for the building prior to any major works being undertaken. There shall be no vertical additions to the building and no alterations to the façade of the building other than to reinstate original features. The principal room layout and planning configuration as well as significant internal original features including ceilings, cornices, joinery, flooring and fireplaces should be retained and conserved. Any additions and alterations should be confined to the rear in areas of less significance, should not be visibly prominent and shall be in accordance with the relevant planning controls.

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Local Environmental Plan	Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012	I1005	14 Dec 12
Heritage study

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Modern Movement Architecture in Central Sydney - Heritage Study Review	2018		Tanner Kibble Denton Architects		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title
Written	Anita Heiss		Aboriginal People and Place, Barani: Indigenous History of Sydney City
Written	Noel Bell Ridley Smith & Partners	1988	Statement of Cultural Significance & Conservation Report
Written	NSW Heritage Office	1999	State Heritage Inventory Sheet

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Local Government
Database number:	2420002
File number:	S90/01931

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