Church House, Brisbane, Anglican Diocesan offices in Brisbane, Australia
Church House is a two-storeyed brick building with stone window dressings and a steeply pitched tiled gable roof. Its overall form is Gothic, seen in the high roof and narrow lancet windows, but Arts and Crafts influence is evident. The upper Ann Street facade has three cantilevered concrete balconies with wrought iron balustrading and an oriel window, all part of Robin Dods's 1909 design.
The Church of England purchased the Ann Street property in 1899 and construction of the office building began several years later. The structure was completed in 1909, expanding the Anglican Diocese's administrative presence in Brisbane.
Church House takes its name from its role as the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane's administrative offices, built in 1909. The design by diocesan architect Robin Dods was applauded by fellow architects and displayed at the Royal Academy Exhibition in London in 1910. Today the building houses the Diocesan Archives and the Anglican Schools Commission.
Church House stands at 417 Ann Street, inside the grounds of St John's Cathedral, and is still a working office building housing the Diocesan Archives and the Anglican Schools Commission. Visitors should arrange any access in advance rather than expect to walk in. The main entry is a broad Gothic arched opening off Ann Street with stone trimmings.
The balconies on the Ann Street facade are original cantilevered concrete with wrought iron balustrading, not later additions. The design was shown at the Royal Academy Exhibition in London in 1910, and the southern gable ends in a low raking parapet while the other end marks the proposed second stage.
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