St James Parish Hall, Toowoomba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St James Parish Hall, Toowoomba |
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Front of building, 2014
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| Location | 112 Russell Street, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900–1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1912 |
| Architect | Henry James (Harry) Marks |
| Architectural style(s) | Arts & Crafts |
| Official name: St James Parish Hall, Taylor Memorial Institute | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 28 March 1995 |
| Reference no. | 600856 |
| Significant period | 1910s (historical) 1910s (fabric) ongoing (social) |
| Significant components | fence/wall – perimeter, church hall/sunday school hall, turret/s, views to |
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St James Parish Hall is a special old building in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. You can find it at 112 Russell Street. It was designed by a well-known architect named Henry James (Harry) Marks and finished in 1912. The hall is also known as the Taylor Memorial Institute. It's considered an important historical place and was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on March 28, 1995.
Contents
Discovering the Hall's Past
How St James Parish Hall Began
St James' Parish Hall was built in 1912. It stands across the street from St James Anglican Church, which was built around 1868. A generous person named James Taylor donated the land for the hall. He also paid for the building to be constructed. He wanted it to be a memorial to his parents, the Hon. James Taylor and his wife Sarah. The Hon. James Taylor was a very important person in Toowoomba's early growth. He had given the land for St James' Church to the Parish about 45 years before.
Unique Building Design by Harry Marks
The hall shows off architect Harry J. Marks's unusual building ideas. One special method he used was "hollow wall" construction. This made the walls look solid but cost less to build than traditional brick walls. Another cool feature he invented was the "extendable casement window." These windows could slide out and turn all the way around to let in lots of fresh air. Today, only three of these special windows still work.
Opening Day and Early Uses
The hall officially opened on May 1, 1912. The Archbishop of Brisbane, St Clair Donaldson, was there for the opening. People described the hall as a "model of architecture." It had plenty of space for different activities. It was used as a place for reading rooms, a library, a lounge, and for Sunday school classes and meetings.
Changes and Repairs Over Time
In 1923–24, the hall was repainted. Some small repairs were also done, mostly to fix water damage under the roof. Around 1940, a brick fence was added at the front of the hall. It's believed that Harry Marks's son, Charles Beresford Marks, designed this fence. It has a small plaque remembering James Taylor, who helped fund the hall and was a founding member of St James' Parish.
Around 1950, a large kitchen area was added to the back of the hall. Later, in 1991, more work was done to fix water damage to the roof and ceiling.
Exploring the Hall's Features
Architectural Style and Exterior
St James' Parish Hall faces Russell Street. Its design shows a strong influence from the Arts and Crafts movement. This style is known for its beautiful details and natural materials. The hall has a lovely terracotta tiled roof with wide, overhanging eaves. Its outside walls are rough cast, which gives them a textured look. The building also has a heavy base and stylish signs on the north wall.
Special Wall Construction
The single-story building has a brick base. Above that, it uses the "hollow wall" construction system. This system uses a metal frame covered with chicken wire and a stucco finish. The outside has a smooth trim with a rougher infill, and the inside is smooth. There's a marble plaque on the base of the north wall that remembers something important.
Roof and Turrets
The hall has a unique, steeply pitched terracotta tiled roof. It features projecting gables on the east and west sides. There are three small turrets on the roof. The middle turret has a "pot-bellied" metal roof vent, which looks like a small chimney. The other two turrets have rounded decorations on top.
Windows and Ventilation
The building has special "extendable casement" windows. Only three of these original windows still work as they were designed. The others have been changed into regular windows. These special windows slide on a metal track and can pivot all the way around. This allows for the best airflow. The windows in the main hall have smaller windows above (fanlights) and on the sides (sidelights). The windows in the end sections also have hopper windows above them. All these windows have green and obscure glass panes.
Entrances and Interior Layout
The northeast porch has pretty wooden arched brackets and a decorative railing. The northwest porch has a ramp for easy access. Double wooden doors with fanlights open into the main hall.
Inside, the building has a raised wooden stage at the south end. There's a central hall with side aisles. From here, you can get to the kitchen and storage area. The walls inside are finished with a smooth coating. There are wooden posts with decorative brackets and arches. You can also see the exposed wooden trusses (support beams) and wooden ceilings. Diagonal wooden boards are used as a decorative touch throughout the building. You can see them on the ceiling, in door panels, and on partition walls.
The Brick Fence
A brick fence with a central gate runs along the Russell Street side of the property. It has piers (support columns) with concrete decorations shaped like crosses.
The 1950 Extension
A kitchen and storage area was added to the back of the hall around 1950. This part of the building doesn't have the same historical importance as the original hall. It was included in the heritage listing mainly to make sure that any future changes or demolition would be done carefully. This ensures that the original hall building is protected.
Why St James Parish Hall is Important
St James Parish Hall was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on March 28, 1995. This means it meets certain important standards.
Showing Queensland's History
The hall, built in 1912, is important because it shows how the Anglican Church and Toowoomba developed over time.
A Great Example of Its Kind
It's a beautiful example of an Arts and Crafts style church hall in Toowoomba. Its design, size, shape, and materials make Russell Street and Toowoomba look special. The quality and craftsmanship of the inside, especially the wooden details, are highly valued by the community.
Creative and Technical Achievements
The "hollow wall" building method, the extendable casement windows, and the unique roof ventilator were all patented designs. These show how creative and skilled the architect, Harry J. Marks, was in the early 1900s.
Important to the Community
As the parish hall for St James Church, which is one of Toowoomba's oldest churches, it has a special connection with the Toowoomba community. It's important for social and cultural reasons.
Connected to Important People
The hall has a special link to the Hon. James Taylor and his family, who played a big part in Toowoomba's early history. It's also connected to the work of Toowoomba architects Harry J. Marks and Charles Beresford Marks. They designed many important buildings in the city.
