West Maling facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West Maling |
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West Mailing, pictured in October 2021.
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| Location | 663–665 King Georges Road, Penshurst, Georges River Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1889 |
| Built for | Albert Bythesea Weigall |
| Architect | Richard Norman Shaw (attributed) |
| Architectural style(s) | Federation Queen Anne |
| Owner | Australian Evangelist Association |
| Official name: West Maling (Revival Life Centre); Weigall House | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 269 |
| Type | House |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
| Builders | Charles Halstead (supervising architect) |
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West Maling is a special building in Penshurst, Australia. It used to be a large home but is now a religious center. It is also known as West Maling (Revival Life Centre) or Weigall House.
This building is very old and important. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it is protected because of its history and unique design.
Contents
History of West Maling
Penshurst: A Growing Suburb
The area where West Maling stands, Penshurst, has a long history. One of the first land grants here was given to Dr. Robert Townson in 1808. His large property was later divided into smaller pieces.
The railway arrived in 1886, which helped Penshurst grow into a residential area. A train platform was built in 1890. This made it easier for people to live there and travel to other places like Hurstville and Mortdale.
The Story of West Maling House
West Maling was built in 1889. It was originally called Weigall House. The house was built for Albert Bythesea Weigall, who was a famous headmaster of Sydney Grammar School. He lived there until 1912.
Mr. Weigall was born in France in 1840. He was the headmaster of Sydney Grammar School from 1866 to 1912. He built West Maling on a hill in Penshurst. From there, he had a great view over Botany Bay.
Design and Style
This grand house is built in the Federation Queen Anne style. It is thought to be influenced by the famous English architect Richard Norman Shaw. Charles Halstead, a local architect, supervised its construction. The house cost about A£3,561 to build.
West Maling stands out from other houses built around that time. Its unique style and detailed work make it a rare example of its kind in Sydney. It might even be the earliest Queen Anne design built in the city.
The Gardens and Changes
The original garden was designed during the Federation period. It had beautiful wrought iron gates and a privet hedge. Some of the garden was removed in 1970 for road widening.
The Weigall family enjoyed a fancy lifestyle in their home. After 1912, different families lived in the house until 1953.
From Home to Religious Centre
On August 27, 1953, a group called the Oblate Fathers bought the property. They were a Roman Catholic order of priests. They used the house for religious education. They even had a printing press there.
However, the costs of keeping up the large house became too high. So, the Oblate Fathers moved out.
On May 17, 1972, the property was sold to trustees for the Revival Life Assembly. This is a church group. The house's ballroom was turned into a chapel. As more people joined the church, they needed a bigger meeting space.
Building the Underground Chapel
In 1981, the church wanted to build a new chapel in the front garden. The local council was worried it might spoil the look of the old house. So, a temporary heritage order was placed on the property.
After discussions, a new chapel was designed. It was built underground in 1983. This way, it could hold 350 to 400 people without changing the look of the historic house. The roof of the chapel became a car park. This design also helped protect the old trees around the house.
The new chapel was made of concrete and colored dark brown to match the house. The project also added offices and a library. The design made sure the new building blended in with the old house and its gardens.
On December 2, 1983, a Permanent Conservation Order was placed on West Maling. This made sure the property would be protected for a long time.
The Gardens Today
The gardens were carefully designed to go with the new chapel and the old house. Many mature trees were kept. New trees like jacaranda and magnolia were planted. The gardens use yellow, white, and blue flowers.
In 1984, the church received a grant to help repaint West Maling. Today, West Maling is a busy religious center. It has been well-preserved and is in excellent condition. It was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
What West Maling Looks Like
Grounds and Garden Features
The house once had a wide front garden. Wrought iron gates open onto a driveway with brick edges.
The original garden and driveways are still there around the house. You can see old pine trees, palms, and an avenue of brush box trees. Many other mature trees are also present, like black bean, Himalayan cedar, and Moreton Bay fig trees.
The landscape plan from 1983 shows many different plants. It notes existing trees and shrubs like Ochna serrulata, Cotoneaster, and juniper. There are also African olives, heavenly bamboo, and tree ferns.
In the south-western part, there are brush box trees, hibiscus, and climbing roses. On the northern side, there was a privet hedge, which was later replaced.
The House: A Closer Look
West Maling is a great example of the Queen Anne style. It is likely a copy of an English home. The design was probably influenced by British architect Norman Shaw.
The house is built with warm bricks. It has two stories and steep slate roofs. You can see fancy brick chimneys and stained-glass windows. The timber and stucco gables add to its unique look.
The verandah has wooden posts with decorative brackets. The tall chimneys are a striking feature. The front door is made of cedar wood and has a sandstone arch with Gothic carvings.
The entry porch has beautiful mosaic art. The inside doors are very thick and have arched tops.
Two stained-glass windows in the living room show that the building was completed in 1889.
The ballroom has six original stained-glass windows. They show famous English writers like Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare. This room later became the chapel. Inside, you can also see carved cedar fireplaces. Some rooms have decorative pressed metal ceilings.
Most of the original wooden features, both inside and outside, are still there. The pointed arch shape of the doors and the fireplaces are especially interesting.
The Chapel (Built 1983)
The chapel is an underground building. Its roof is used for car parking. It is made of concrete and colored dark brown to match the house. It can seat up to 400 people.
Condition and Changes
As of 2006, the area around the house had changed quite a bit. The underground chapel and the car park on its roof were added in 1982. More parking was also added at the back of the house. Some trees were removed during these changes.
However, most of the original wooden features inside and outside the house are still in place. The original driveways and gardens also remain.
Why West Maling is Important
West Maling is very important for its beauty and history. It is considered one of the best examples of the Queen Anne style of architecture in Australia. It might even be the first house of its kind built here. Its importance is even greater because many of its original features, like the woodwork, driveways, and parts of its gardens, are still there.
The house has a strong connection to Albert Bythesea Weigall, the first headmaster of Sydney Grammar School, who had it built in 1889.
The site is also important to the local community. It has been used as a church by the Revival Life Centre since the 1980s. Before that, it was used as a monastery.
West Maling was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999, because it meets certain important criteria:
- It shows the history of New South Wales.
It was built in 1889 for Albert Bythesea Weigall, a key figure in education.
- It shows great design and skill.
West Maling is one of the purest examples of the Queen Anne style in Australia. It is thought to be the first house of its type built in the country.
See also
- Australian residential architectural styles
