Uniting Church & Kindergarten Hall

Item details


Name of item:	Uniting Church & Kindergarten Hall
Other name/s:	Wesley Uniting Church
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Religion
Category:	Church
Location:	Lat: -33.2827524997 Long: 149.0983807720
Primary address:	215-221 Anson Street, Orange, NSW 2800
Parish:	Orange
County:	Wellington
Local govt. area:	Orange
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Orange

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	1		DP	996128

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
215-221 Anson Street	Orange	Orange	Orange	Wellington	Primary Address
215-221 Anson Street	Orange	Orange	Orange	Wellington	Alternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
Uniting Church of Australia	Religious Organisation	25 Mar 99

Description


Physical description:	3.1The Uniting Church & Kindergarten Hall is located near the centre of Orange's CBD.
Modifications and dates:	Earlier church on the site was built in 1849 which was largely demolished for the 1863 church. 1863 second church built. 1876 south porch was partly demolished and incorporated into the new tower. There have been several additions to the building including the - 1876 mezzanine gallery and - 1920 chancel additions. The parish centre was added to the west of the main church, leaving a small courtyard between the old and the new. 1960: a new south porch was added to the tower to provide a larger enclosed area at the entry to the church.
Further information:	LEP - church = state significant


Current use:	Church
Former use:	Aboriginal land, town lot

History

Historical notes:

An earlier church on the site was built in 1849 but largely demolished to build the existing, 1863 church.

The 1863 building was designed by architect, Thomas Rowe and consists of the first three and a half bays of the church. The present tower occupies an area that was originally a porch, so the arch into the nave from the tower is original 1863 fabric. The external walls are built from soft and porous bricks with lime mortar and are 18" (460-480mm) solid walls.

In 1876 the south porch was partly demolished and incorporated into the new tower. The work was designed by John Hale but apparently was based on the design of Thomas Rowe. The tower and spire are consistent with the eclectic work of Rowe and mixes Perpendicular Gothic an Italianate influence. The spire is distinguished in that it is very steep and narrow.

The spire is clad with Muntz metal (mix of copper and zinc), a cheaper alternative to copper in the mid- Victorian period that had a similar longevity. In later years, the cladding has been refixed and prevented from moving with many ferrous nails, which are galvanically incompatible with the copper based Muntz. The nails have rusted and in turn damaged the cladding.

There have been several additions to the building including the 1876 mezzanine gallery and the 1920 chancel additions. The parish centre was added to the west of the main church, leaving a small courtyard between the old and the new. A new south porch was added to the tower in 1960 to provide a larger enclosed area at the entry to the church.

After 144 years, the steeple and copper cross atop Wesley Uniting Church has been given an upgrade, with works finished on 2 September 2020, with funding from the Heritage Council of NSW and the church community. Internal renovations are set to commence in October 2020, with new carpet and pews and painting at the entrance, a technology upgrade (Stainkahmph, 2020). Works to address rising damp have also been done.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Gardens-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Changing the environment-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Introduce cultural planting-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes and parklands of distinctive styles-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes of institutions - productive and ornamental-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes of passive recreation-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes of remembrance-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences	Developing local landmarks-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Building settlements, towns and cities-National Theme 4
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Townships-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Alienating Crown Lands for religious purposes-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Changing land uses - from rural to suburban-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Planning relationships between key structures and town plans-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Beautifying towns and villages-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Creating landmark structures and places in regional settings-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Shaping inland settlements-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	living in the country-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Cultural Social and religious life-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	A Picturesque Residential District-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Suburban Consolidation-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	19th Century Infrastructure-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Developing the social life of a rural community-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Developing government towns-
6. Educating-Educating	Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally.	Education associated with Welfare institutions-
6. Educating-Educating	Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally.	Kindergarten-
6. Educating-Educating	Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally.	Educating people in regional locations-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Local government-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	State government-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - administration of land-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - town and country planning-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - conserving cultural and natural heritage-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Providing halls and other community facilities-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	(none)-

Recommended management:

Recommendations

Management Category	Description	Date Updated
Recommended Management	Produce a Conservation Management Plan (CMP)
Recommended Management	Prepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines
Recommended Management	Carry out interpretation, promotion and/or education

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Heritage Act	See File For Schedule Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1): (1) The maintenance of any building or item on the site where maintenance means the continuous protective care of existing material. (2) Garden maintenance including cultivation, pruning, weed control, the repair and maintenance of existing fences, gates and garden walls and tree surgery but not extensive lopping. (3) The demolition or alteration of the new Church Hall extension.	Nov 18 1988
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		00419	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former		00419	18 Nov 88	172	6015
Local Environmental Plan
Potential Heritage Item	H		17 May 02

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title
Written	Adaptive Architects	2019	Conservation Management Strategy
Written	Adaptive Architects	2019	Orange Uniting Church (Former Wesley) Anson Street, Orange, A report to accompany a Sect 60 application for Orange Uniting Church (Statement of Heritage Impact)
Written	Stainkamph, Max	2020	Wesley Uniting Church's new steeple, cross, given tick of approval

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:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5045020
File number:	S90/04748 & HC 33070

Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in the State Heritage Inventory is correct. If you find any errors or omissions please send your comments to the Database Manager.

All information and pictures on this page are the copyright of Heritage NSW or respective copyright owners.