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SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance] | St Peter's Church, the associated buildings and grounds document the development of an inner city parish and its outreach into the community and the growth of the church associated with the growth of the surrounding community.
The church has documentation of its long association with the community through philanthropic, bereavement and war memorials in the form of stone and timber memorials, stained glass windows and functional items within the church.
The site has historical significance as part of the original and extensive grant of land to Edward Deas Thomson by Governor Ralph Darling in the 1830s. While this land has been extensively subdivided into smaller lots, commencing from the 1840s, the current St Peter's site is formed by the consolidation of nine lots from the second period of subdivision of Deas Thomson's land plus the lane and land to Bourke Street. The consolidation of the land has historical significance as evidence of the growth of the church and its aspirations for suitable presentation.
Adaptation of the former St Peter's Church (The Great Hall) and Church Hall (Playhouse) by SCEGGS to function and performance spaces has reinstated the historical association that commenced in 1935 of the site with performance and theatre.
Fencing (Forbes & St Peter’s Streets): The sandstone base along St Peter’s Street remains evident below the fencing and is of exceptional significance as an early component of the site.
Front entry garden: This land was formerly occupied by terrace houses that were demolished in the early twentieth century. The acquisition of the land fronting Bourke Street was a critical goal of the Church to secure a level of presentation for the property befitting both its function and appearance. As such, the retention of the area as landscaped open space is of high significance for representing the achievement of this goal and enhancing visual access to the western façade. Two Chinese Elm trees are situated to either side of the central entry path and contribute to the aesthetic quality of the space. These elements are of high significance in themselves and are the only remaining planted trees to the west of the former Church. |
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance] | The association of the church with prominent people in the general community throughout its history - Charles Kemp, early owner of the Sydney Morning Herald; Henry Connell, Assistant Commissioner General; Lebbeus Hordern, a member of the congregation and the retailing family; Patrick White, playwright and author.
The foundation stone for St Peter's Church was laid by the then Governor of NSW Sir John Young on 1 May 1866 and the building was consecrated on 25 July 1867 by the Bishop of Sydney, Mr Barker. |
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance] | The site clearly demonstrates development of the mid to late 19th century in an area that was on the then edge of the city, and the buildings and their setting are still evocative of that period.
The church and hall are excellent examples of Victorian Ecclesiastical Architecture in the English tradition, the church in particular having strong references to the Old Colonial Gothick Picturesque style.
Many of the stained glass windows in the church are important early Australian examples of this form of craftsmanship, and represent important craftsmen and manufacturers as well as stylistic influences. In particular the Lebbeus Hordern and Charles Kemp windows are noted examples.
The open spaces in which the church is set are important to maintain the setting and the views of the church from the surrounding area.
The Great Hall, Playhouse and Store are aesthetically significant for their contribution to the nineteenth century character of the streetscapes in the East Sydney / Darlinghurst Conservation Area. The presentation of the former Church to Bourke Street has landmark qualities. |
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance] | The establishment of St Peters is demonstrative of the vigorous role of the Church of England saw itself taking in protecting its ascendancy in New South Wales in response to a local threat to its hegemony.
The church's attitude to property over time is clearly demonstrated, as the houses were originally acquired to extend the property, one was demolished for the hall and the other three were scheduled to be demolished for the rectory, but were kept as a source of income for the short term.
The church was long associated with outreach ino the community, having established a number of mission halls in the surrounding area, sponsored a visiting program to various health institutions, and established itself as a centre for inner city mission.
Church properties and schools generally have a strong level of social significance as community facilities. The site, in particular The Great Hall, is likely to retain some social significance for its use between 1867 and 1993 as a place of worship. This significance is retained to a degree in the acquisition of the property by SCEGGS Darlinghurst, who are known to use the former Church for Easter and Christmas services. Social significance is also imparted by the use of the site by an educational institution.
Contemporary community esteem is demonstrated by the inclusion of the property and particular elements on various heritage registers, including the State Heritage Register (St Peter's Church and Precinct), the Register of the National Estate (former St Peter's Church), the Register of the National Trust (NSW) (St Peter's Church).
The Great Hall has contemporary social significance as a landmark to the local community. The property retains the landmark status that was established from its inception and enhanced substantially by acquisition of the land fronting Bourke Street in the early 20th century.
The Great Hall and Playhouse in particular are significant in their adaptation as performance space for use by SCEGGS Darlinghurst and continued operation as a facility available for public use. |
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential] | The site has the potential to contain remains representative of the urbanisation of Sydney during the second half of the nineteenth century. The excavation, recording, analysis and interpretation of these remains have the potential to illuminate areas of research associated with the current research questions in archaeology, the process and effects of urbanisation, the socio-economic standards of living in working class areas, the nature of urban life in Sydney, the role of gender, ethnicity and consumerism in the construction and representation of social and cultural identities. All these can be examined through the analysis and interpretation of the material culture which may be found on this site. |
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity] | A number of stained glass windows in the church are unique. The Great Hall is the only known work of O.H Lewis, son of former Government Architect Mortimer Lewis. |
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness] | The site and church group is representative of the role, place and establishment of the church in an inner suburban community.
The site demonstrates the approach taken by religious groups in establishing and developing new missions in the suburbs of Sydney.
Potential archaeological features extant beneath the ground surface may be considered as representative of the period of suburbanisation in the area between 1840 and 1860 and also the 20th century. The former terraces on Forbes and St Peter's Streets were considered to be typical examples of their kind, several good examples of which are retained intact in the vicinity of the site. Such examples are listed on Schedule 2 of the South Sydney LEP 1998 (eg. Belgrave Terrace c1850 at 238-252 Forbes Street and the two storey mid Victorian terrace house group at 176-188 Bourke Street). |
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. |