Webber House, Brisbane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Webber House |
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Webber House
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| Location | 439 Ann Street, Brisbane City, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900–1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1904 |
| Architect | John Smith Murdoch, Robin Dods |
| Architectural style(s) | Arts & Crafts |
| Official name: Webber House, Cathedral Schools and St John's Institute | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600079 |
| Significant period | 1904 (fabric) 1936–1941, 1941–1945 (historical) |
| Significant components | hall – assembly |
| Builders | Worley & Whitehead |
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Webber House is a really old and important building in Brisbane, Australia. It's located right next to the big St John's Cathedral on Ann Street. This building was first built in 1904 to be a school and a church meeting place. It was designed by two famous architects, John Smith Murdoch and Robin Dods. Today, it's used as a hall for the church. Because it's so old and special, it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which helps protect it.
Contents
History of Webber House
Building a New Place
Back in 1899, the Anglican Church leaders in Brisbane bought some land on Ann Street. They planned to build the amazing St John's Cathedral, a school, and a place for church groups to meet. The Webber House building was constructed in 1904 by Worley and Whitehead. It was designed by John S Murdoch and Robin S Dods, who was the church's own architect.
John S Murdoch was an architect for the government's Works Department. He took time off to help design Webber House. He also designed another church called St Luke's Church of England.
Reusing Old Materials
When Webber House was built, they used materials from an older church. This church, called St John's Pro-Cathedral, was taken down in 1904. Stones from its foundation were used again in the front and back walls of Webber House. The main doors, many of the gothic-style windows, and even the roof supports were also reused.
What Was Inside?
The building had three floors.
- The ground floor had a large assembly hall. At the back, there were two covered play areas for kids.
- The second floor had a reading room for the church institute. It also had two schoolrooms and a room for teachers.
- The top floor was one big room for the institute.
In total, the building could hold about 300 children for school.
Later Uses of the Building
From 1936 to 1941, a group called the Sisters of the Sacred Advent ran a school in the building. During World War II, the Australian Army used the building. It was home to the Army Engineering Corps and the Army Medical Department. After the war, it was used for church activities and meetings.
In 1969-1970, the building was updated. The open porches were closed in. It was then named Webber House. This name honors William Webber, who was the third Bishop of Brisbane. He was very important in starting the development of the cathedral area.
What Webber House Looks Like
Webber House was built in 1904. It's a three-story building made of stone and brick. It has steep slate roofs. While its roof shape and windows look a bit like old Gothic churches, other parts of its design show the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement. This was a style that focused on traditional craftsmanship and simple forms.
Outside Appearance
The building has several steep, pointed roofs that step up. The lower part of the building is mostly stone. Higher up, you'll see strips of stone around the windows in the brick walls. Most windows have pointed, arched tops, like in Gothic buildings. Some windows are square, and there are small, four-leaf shaped vents high up in the roof gables. Some roofs have a lower, flatter part that acts like a sunshade.
Inside the Building
Inside, there's a wide staircase that goes up to the higher floors. The top floor has a high, wooden ceiling. Large timber supports hold up the roof. These supports rest on three carved wooden columns at each end.
Some of the stone on the ground floor has worn away over time. This stone has been covered with cement to make it look like the original rough stone. Overall, the building still looks very much like it did when it was first built, both inside and out.
Why Webber House is Important
Webber House was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. This means it's a very important historical place.
Unique Design and Materials
Webber House is a great example of creative architecture. It shows the Arts and Crafts style well. It's also special because it reused materials from an older church. The building is a key part of the whole cathedral complex.
Beautiful and Artistic
The building is important because of its beautiful design. It's a wonderful example of the Arts and Crafts style. The way it uses different materials and its overall look make it very special.
Important People Connected to It
Webber House is important because it shows the work of two famous Queensland architects, John Murdoch and Robin Dods. The building is also connected to Bishop Webber. He played a big part in planning and developing the area around the cathedral.
