Bishop's House, Toowoomba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bishop's House, Toowoomba |
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Bishop's House, 1996
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| Location | 73 Margaret Street, East Toowoomba, Toowoomba, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1910-c. 1911 - 1939-c. 1940 |
| Architect | Henry Marks |
| Official name: Bishop's House, Dalmally, Kilallah | |
| Type | state heritage (landscape, built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600845 |
| Significant period | 1910s, 1939-c. 1940 (fabric) 1910s, 1939-late 20th century (historical) |
| Significant components | loggia/s, service wing, lead light/s, chimney/chimney stack, trees/plantings, garden/grounds, residential accommodation - main house, clerestory, fence/wall - perimeter |
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Bishop's House is a special old house in East Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by a famous local architect named Henry Marks. The house was built in two main stages: around 1910-1911 and then again in 1939-1940. It has also been known by other names like Dalmally and Kilallah. Today, it is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's an important historical building.
A Look Back in Time
Bishop's House was built in 1911 for a successful Toowoomba businessman, William Charles Peak. It was originally called Kilallah. Later, in 1939, the Roman Catholic Church bought the house. It then became the home for the Bishop of the new Toowoomba Diocese.
How Toowoomba Began
Toowoomba started as a small settlement called Drayton in the 1840s. People wanted a place for farming. They found a good spot where two swampy creeks met. This area was called the "Drayton Swamp Agricultural Reserve." Over time, this swampy area grew into the town we know as Toowoomba. By 1860, Toowoomba was much bigger than Drayton. It became a key centre for the surrounding farming areas. Many important business people and farmers built their homes here.
The First Owner: William Charles Peak
William Charles Peak was born in Drayton in 1867. He became a very important businessman in Toowoomba. He owned a large general store and helped start many local businesses. These included a dairy factory and a building society. He was also involved in community groups like the Chamber of Commerce. You can still find memorials to him in Toowoomba today. Around 1910, Mr. Peak asked Henry Marks to design his new home, Kilallah.
The Architect: Henry Marks
Henry Marks came from a family of architects in Toowoomba. His father, James Marks, started the family business in the 1870s. Henry joined his father in 1892. Henry Marks was known for being very creative. He even invented and patented special designs for windows and chimneys. These inventions helped buildings stay cool and well-ventilated. Bishop's House shows off some of his clever ideas. For example, it has special windows that open wide for airflow. It also has unique chimney tops designed by Marks.
Marks' Creative Designs
Henry Marks cared a lot about fresh air and natural light in his buildings. Bishop's House has a large skylight in the roof. This skylight helps bring light and air into the middle of the house. The house also has semi-open areas at each end. Experts say Bishop's House is one of the best examples of Henry Marks' work. He designed many other important buildings in Toowoomba too.
From Family Home to Bishop's Residence
The Peak family lived in Kilallah for only a few years. After them, the house was owned by the Horrigan and Fletcher families. It was also rented out to different people. In 1939, the Roman Catholic Church bought the house. They needed a home for the Bishop of Toowoomba.
The Toowoomba Diocese
The Catholic Church grew as more people settled in Queensland. In 1928, it was decided that Toowoomba would become its own diocese. This meant it would have its own Bishop. James Byrne became the first Bishop of Toowoomba in 1929. St Patrick's Church became the main church for the diocese.
Finding the Right Home
Bishop Byrne first lived in a smaller house next to St Patrick's Cathedral. But this house was too small for the Bishop and his staff. So, the church looked for a new residence. They first considered a house called "Unara." However, it was too far away from the main church. Instead, they bought William Charles Peak's old house, which was then called "Dalmally." A previous renter had named it Dalmally after a village in Scotland.
Changes to the House
After buying the house, the church hired local architects, Hodgen and Hodgen, to make changes. These changes made the house suitable for the Bishop. Most of the changes were inside the house. For example, a new entrance area was created. A room was set aside to be used as a chapel. A bathroom was added, and some walls were moved. Outside, a garage was built where old stables used to be. New gates were also added for cars.
The Bishops of Toowoomba lived in Bishop's House for many years. Today, the house is used as offices for the church's administration and education departments.
What Bishop's House Looks Like
Bishop's House is a single-storey building. It is made of brick with special decorative details. It has a corrugated iron roof with pointed sections called gables. In the middle of the roof, there's a raised section with windows, called a clerestory, topped with a cross. You can also see three of Henry Marks' special chimney stacks.
Outside the House
The front of the house, facing Margaret Street, looks very balanced. It has a central covered porch area with five arches. This porch is now enclosed with windows. On either side of the porch are sections that stick out. These sections have windows, some of which were originally Henry Marks' special designs. The name "BISHOP'S HOUSE" is written above the main entrance.
The back of the house has an enclosed verandah. There's also a section added on the side for living space. The east and west ends of the house have bay rooms with five sides.
Inside the House
Inside, the house has wide hallways that cross in the middle. This central area is lit by the skylight above. Many of the main rooms open onto the front porch area. Some walls have been changed to create larger office spaces. Other rooms open onto the back verandah. The house has beautiful pressed metal ceilings in many rooms. Many doors and windows have patterned glass. The fireplace areas are made of narrow bricks. The east bay room has colourful glass in its doors and windows.
The Grounds
The house is surrounded by a low brick fence. There are driveways for cars and a metal gate at the corner of Lindsay and Margaret Streets. The grounds have large, old trees. There's also a car park and carports. Other buildings on the site include the Marian Community Centre and a newer residence for the Bishop.
Why Bishop's House is Special
Bishop's House was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. This means it's officially recognized as an important historical place.
- A Glimpse into History: Built in 1911, this house shows how Toowoomba grew in the early 1900s. Its later use by the Roman Catholic Church also shows how the church expanded in Queensland.
- A Masterpiece of Design: The house is a great example of Henry Marks' work. It shows his clever ideas for ventilation and natural light.
- Beautiful to Look At: Bishop's House, with its old trees, adds a lot to the look of Margaret Street and Toowoomba. Its design and craftsmanship are very high quality.
- Smart Inventions: The special windows and chimney stacks are examples of Henry Marks' unique inventions. They show his technical skill in the early 20th century.
- Important to the Community: For many years, this house was the home of the Bishop of Toowoomba. This makes it very important to the local Roman Catholic community.
- Connected to Key People: The house is linked to Henry Marks, a famous architect. It's also connected to William Charles Peak, an important early Toowoomba businessman. And, of course, it's associated with the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church in Toowoomba.
