Historical information

The Congregational Church was built on the site of the first church in Kew. This church, the second on the site, was designed by the Kew architect Charles Vickers and opened in 1860. The distinctive polychrome brick façade designed by Vickers contrasted with the style that he employed for other churches he designed during this period; they were usually constructed in bluestone. In the 1960s, a new ministry saw the erection of a neon cross at the apex of the church. The illuminated cross could be seen from Church Street, Hawthorn. The church was later to be demolished, and the land sold for the construction of modern villas.

Significance

Photograph of an historic church in Kew by noted architects Charles Vickers and Alfred Purchas.

Physical description

Congregational Church, Walpole Street, Kew, 1977 (now demolished). View of the polychrome facade facing Walpole Street. The use of polychrome brick by Alfred Purchas (the second architect) reflects his preference for this architectural style, such as in his design for Tarring (now Ruyton Girls' School)

Inscriptions & markings

Inscriptions on reverse: "KH-100. Congregational Church Walpole St Kew. First church built in Kew 1860. Chapel on site 1854. Became a member of the United Churches 1970s".