Presbyterian High School, Maitland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Presbyterian High School |
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Presbyterian High School Maitland
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| Location | 12–14 Free Church Street, Maitland, City of Maitland, New South Wales, Australia |
| Owner | Roman Catholic Church Trustees |
| Official name: Presbyterian High School/Manse (former); Presbyterian High School/Manse | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 577 |
| Type | historic site |
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The Presbyterian High School is a very old building in Maitland, Australia. It used to be a high school and a home for a church minister (called a manse). Today, it is recognized as a special heritage site. This means it is an important part of history and needs to be protected. The building is located at 12–14 Free Church Street and is currently owned by the Roman Catholic Church Trustees. It was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
Contents
History of the School Building
How the School Started
The Presbyterian High School was first opened by a minister named William McIntyre. He was the pastor of the West Maitland Presbyterian Church. The school was built on the same land as the church's manse, which was the minister's home.
The first stone for the school building was laid by William McIntyre on September 25, 1855. His brother, Reverend Allan McIntyre, became the very first principal of the school.
Famous Students
Even though the school was open for only a short time, some important people studied there. One famous student was Samuel Griffith. He later became a very important leader, serving as the Premier of Queensland and then as the first Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia. Another student was Charles Pilcher, who became a local politician and a King's Counsel, a special type of lawyer.
Changes Over Time
After the Presbyterian High School closed, the building was used for other purposes. In the 1870s and 1880s, a woman named Mrs. Johnson ran a private high school for girls there.
Then, on January 21, 1884, the building became the first home for the West Maitland State High School for Girls. The new headmistress, Mary Olsen, found the building in poor condition. She said it needed many repairs and that the plumbing was not good.
The girls' school stayed in the building until the big floods of 1893. After the floods, a new and safer location was found for the school at Grossmann House.
By 1929, the old school building was once again being used as a manse, a home for a church minister.
Protecting the Building
In the 1980s, there were plans to tear down the old Presbyterian High School building. However, people realized how important its history was. Because of these concerns, the building was saved. On May 8, 1989, a special order was put in place to protect it forever. Today, the building is part of All Saints' College.
Heritage Listing
The Presbyterian High School building was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This listing means it is recognized as a significant historical site in New South Wales. It is protected so that future generations can learn about its past.
