In 1858, a bluestone church began to rise on Malvern Road. This church would eventually become Chapel Off Chapel. It was designed by architects Thomas J. Crouch and Ralph Wilson. The original plans were ambitious, including a masonry chancel and tower. However, these grand additions were never completed, leaving the church with a unique, unfinished charm. Chapel Off Chapel officially opened in 1995. It became an integrated arts, recreation, and tourism centre under the City of Stonnington. But its journey started long before that. In 1863, a grand organ, built by Frederick W. Nicholson in England, was installed in the church. This organ filled the space with rich music. Later, in 1883, the Church Hall, now known as The Loft, was built to house the Sunday School. The church thrived for many years, serving as a place of worship. However, after the unification of the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Congregational Churches in 1977, the building’s purpose shifted. The Prahran City Council purchased the building in 1980. It was transformed into the Princes Gardens Recreation Centre in 1989. The centre offered a variety of activities. These included a gym, dancing classes, martial arts, and art classes. The original church organ found a new home at St. Patrick’s in Mentone in the mid-1980s. It was a gift from the Prahran City Council, under the condition that it would be restored and used for worship. Chapel Off Chapel today stands as a testament to its rich and varied past. It has hosted over 20,000 artists and crew and welcomed more than a million people through its doors. It continues to thrive as a vibrant cultural hub in Melbourne.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to