In the late 1870s, the Parish obtained plans for a substantial church building from the most prominent architect in Australia, William Wardell, who had designed the Presbytery some years earlier. Wardell was also the architect of the Catholic Cathedrals of Melbourne, Sydney, and Hobart, of Government House, in Melbourne, and of countless other buildings, public, church and private throughout Australia. For some reasons, probably financial, this building was not proceeded with and further plans were obtained from the firm of Tappin, Gilbert and Dennehy. Construction actually started on this building which was to front on to Victoria Street. However, it was not to be and the Parish commissioned further plans of a young and relatively unknown architect, Edgar Henderson. It is Henderson’s church building that we see today, although the interior in particular, probably owes much to architect, Phillip Kennedy who took over the project, from Edgar Henderson, when the prospects offered by the gold discoveries in Western Australia, attracted Henderson to set up office, in Perth. There he established a prestigious architectural practice which lasted well into the 20^th century.

If St Mary’s Church had been built, according to the designs of either Wardell or Tappin, locally sourced bluestone, or basalt, would have been used for all of the construction of the fabric of the building. As it was, a younger and enthusiastic architect, such as Henderson sourced his building stone from various places. The construction process is interesting in itself: the structure rises from a finely axed foundation podium of Malmesbury bluestone; Above this is course of Mount Somers (New Zealand) limestone; then rises the brick church, faced with Barrabool Hills (Geelong) sandstone, from two or three different sources; Oamaru (also New Zealand) limestone is used for other dressings, in different parts of the building, perhaps to give greater emphasis to decorative detailings; lastly, engaged columns, at doors and window openings, are of highly polished Aberdeen (Scotland) granite. The roof of the church is of Westmorland slate with tile ridging, replaced at least once. Above the crossing, and rising to a height of 100’ is a flêche fabricated in pressed zinc on timber framing with a slate covering, in the upper section: above it rises a wrought iron cross which was once gilded – the effect must have been impressive. It was intended that the tower and spire, at the front of the church, should rise to a height of 220’, making it a significant Melbourne landmark.

The use of Barabool Hills stone, in Melbourne buildings, of the 19^th century, has presented serious problems, in the 20^th century. It has a remarkable degree of non-durability, as evidenced in St Paul’s Cathedral, the Scots Church (Collins St.) the Ursula Frayne Memorial Chapel (Fitzroy,)  and the somewhat later Newman College (Carlton.) These buildings have been in an almost continuous state of restoration for a number of years. Deterioration of the fabric of the West Melbourne church appears to have commenced, as early as the 1920s, so much so that by c. 1985 it was in a considerably decayed state and indeed dangerous in some areas. The situation was not helped by the heavy industrial nature of the area, barely remembered now, with factory fumes polluting the environment. When the time came to commence the restoration of the stonework, in particular, it was realized that an alternative to the Geelong stone was necessary. Several varieties of stone were considered before the final decision to use Beaudesert (Queensland) stone was agreed upon. This stone has been used in Queensland church, public, and private buildings for 150 years and, besides being an almost exact colour match to Geelong stone, has a proven durability. To date, some 40% of the West Melbourne stone has had to be replaced, over the last 4 – 5 years. Almost half of the exterior stonework restoration has been completed – this includes the main entrance façade and all of the exterior fronting on to Victoria Street.

The great glory of St Mary’s Church is its elaborate interior which makes it as one of the most beautiful traditional ecclesiastical buildings to be found anywhere. Almost nothing of the original furnishings had been removed and the church had never suffered a “re-ordering” – so common from the 1960s onwards. However, all of the painted decorative wall surfaces had been painted out and none of the beauty which we see now was visible – indeed, the memory of it was only very vague in the minds of elderly parishioners. The interior restoration, except for a few minor elements, was completed in 2008, after works extending over several years. Every element has been restored and, in addition, essential plumbing, electrical, heating, and sound works have been completed.

In the years of the restoration work, we have been very fortunate to have had honorary support from the Trade Union Movement and companies involved in building and construction. Government at both Australian and Victorian levels have supported the project. Architectural and engineering advice has been provided free of charge. Some of our trades staff have donated part of their work, without payment. In short, it has been very much a community project and this is something which we always intended it to be. Apart from the continuing financial problems, the restoration work has been a great project and we look forward to completing it within the next three years.

It now remains to complete the exterior restoration and to enhance the surrounds of the building with suitable and modest landscaping. In the latter regard, the corporation of the City of Melbourne has agreed to be involved: we are confident that this promise, made by a former Lord Mayor, will be honoured. Another $2.5m is required to finish the works at West Melbourne. In the straightened circumstances of today, this is a large amount of money, but it is not impossible, if sufficient people can realise the many-sided aspects of St Mary’s church and appreciate that it has been a significant landmark spanning three centuries of the existence of the City of Melbourne.

T.A. Hazell AO

Restoration Director

20^th, January, 2009