For the episode transcript see http://www.abc.net.au/compass/s3510122.htm
For the Pugin churches see http://ausmed.arts.uwa.edu.au/items/show/1104
http://ausmed.arts.uwa.edu.au/items/show/951
http://ausmed.arts.uwa.edu.au/items/show/1117
http://ausmed.arts.uwa.edu.au/items/show/1119
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‘Tasmanian Gothic’ was an episode of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Compass television programme presented by Geraldine Doogue. The story was researched by Wendy Boynton and aired on June 24, 2012 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of English architect and designer Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1812-1852), one of the main instigators of the Gothic Revival. Although he never visited Australia some consider the best examples of Pugin’s work to be in Tasmania, in part due to their preservation. When his friend Robert William Willson (1794-1866) was chosen as Tasmania’s first Catholic Bishop, Pugin provided him with the materials necessary to establish his diocese. These items, including scale models for three churches, were taken by Willson by ship from England to Hobart in 1844. Pugin artefacts in Tasmania include alter cloths, baptismal fonts, chalice linens, crosses, rood screens, headstones, vestments, and a monstrance (a vessel to hold the communion host, first used in the medieval period), the churches at Oatlands and Colebrook, and elements of the church at Richmond. The programme also deals with Pugin’s lasting legacy, including the enduring notion that Gothic style architecture is the most appropriate for ecclesiastical architecture.
For the episode transcript see http://www.abc.net.au/compass/s3510122.htm
For the Pugin churches see http://ausmed.arts.uwa.edu.au/items/show/1104
http://ausmed.arts.uwa.edu.au/items/show/951
http://ausmed.arts.uwa.edu.au/items/show/1117
http://ausmed.arts.uwa.edu.au/items/show/1119
About St Alban’s:
St Alban’s is a small limestone parish church located in Highgate, Western Australia. Built in 1889 (with enlargements in 1898) in a Victorian Romanesque style, it is one of the earliest buildings designed by well-known WA architect Sir J. J. Talbot-Hobbs (1864-1938). Its characteristically romanesque features include the semi-circular arches, the traditional load-bearing masonry of the buttresses and solid walling, and the small window and door openings in relation to the overall wall area. The St Alban’s church Hall was used briefly as a preparatory school by The Sisters of the Church of England between 1907 and 1915. For more information about St Alban’s, see: http://stalbans.org.au/about-st-albans/historic-st-albans/.
]]>An image of the ‘Saint George’ stained glass window at St Alban’s Anglican Church, Highgate. This stained glass is one of three windows (the others depicting St Alban and St Michael) located at the rear of the church. It was originally purchased for St George’s Cathedral but was later discovered to be the wrong shape (rounded instead of pointed) and was donated to St Alban’s. The stained glass depicts George standing astride a vanquished winged-dragon. As is common in artistic renditions, George’s role as a warrior saint is symbolised by a suit of elaborate armour, a sword and a shield. His spear, which pierces the dragon, is also a processional cross and has a pennant with a cross flying from it.
About St Alban’s:
St Alban’s is a small limestone parish church located in Highgate, Western Australia. Built in 1889 (with enlargements in 1898) in a Victorian Romanesque style, it is one of the earliest buildings designed by well-known WA architect Sir J. J. Talbot-Hobbs (1864-1938). Its characteristically romanesque features include the semi-circular arches, the traditional load-bearing masonry of the buttresses and solid walling, and the small window and door openings in relation to the overall wall area. The St Alban’s church Hall was used briefly as a preparatory school by The Sisters of the Church of England between 1907 and 1915. For more information about St Alban’s, see: http://stalbans.org.au/about-st-albans/historic-st-albans/.