Addresses
Type of place
Hall
Period
Interwar 1919-1939
Style
Arts and Crafts
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Morningside School of Arts
Morningside School of Arts
Addresses
Type of place
Hall
Period
Interwar 1919-1939
Style
Arts and Crafts
This former School of Arts building was constructed in 1926 when Morningside was experiencing rapid residential growth and development after World War I. The brick hall, designed by architect Allan Young, contains a stage and meeting room, and initially held a library - a feature of Schools of Arts eventually taken up by the Brisbane City Council. As the first dedicated public meeting place in Morningside, the building was frequently used for church services, group meetings, and social functions. Although the building is no longer a School of Arts, it has continued to operate as a public venue for the local community.
Lot plan
L792_SL9030
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Face brick
People/associations
Allan Young (Architect);Charles Crowther and Sons (Builder)
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (D) Representative; (G) SocialInteractive mapping
Lot plan
L792_SL9030
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Face brick
People/associations
Allan Young (Architect);Charles Crowther and Sons (Builder)
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (D) Representative; (G) SocialInteractive mapping
History
The land on which the Morningside School of Arts is situated, was originally set aside as a recreation reserve and had been purchased by public subscription. The rapid development of the Morningside district in the post war period of the first World War created an urgent need for accommodation for public meetings etc. The Trustees of the reserve agreed to the use of the site for a School of Arts, and the community organised to raise funds and a loan. The Commonwealth Bank in Sydney ultimately loaned 1500 after local lenders were hesitant.
The architect of the building was Allan Young. The tender for the construction of the building was let to Charles Crowther and Sons, a local building company. The cavity brick hall, with stage, meeting room and library was built at a total cost of 2000. It was opened in 1926 by Lieutenant-Governor the Hon William Lennon.
Immediately the hall was in demand by wide sections of the community, and many religious denominations held their first services in the hall. The institution has proved to be of great value to the district in providing the necessary accommodation for the various public organisations, and is in constant demand for social functions records the author of the “History of the Bulimba Electorate 1859-1959”. By 1959 the loan had been cleared and the lending library had over 4500 books.
The School of Arts no longer maintains a library, this function having been taken over by the Brisbane City Council. The hall remains in constant use by the growing community, and forms an important focus in community recreation.
Statement of significance
Relevant assessment criteria
This is a place of local heritage significance and meets one or more of the local heritage criteria under the Heritage planning scheme policy of the Brisbane City Plan 2014. It is significant because:
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised April 2024)