| Photographs: | |
|---|---|
| List: | Register of the National Estate |
| Class: | Historic |
| Legal Status: | Registered (18/04/1989) |
| Place ID: | 13390 |
| Place File No: | 8/01/000/0095 |
| Statement of Significance: |
|---|
| Completed in 1966, the Anzac Memorial Chapel is significant as a good Canberra example of the Late Twentieth Century Ecclesiastical style. Key features of the style displayed by the building include: a radical plan shape; unbroken straight lines emphasising verticality; the tall narthex and spire reminiscent of a tower; glazing with vertically proportioned panes; clerestory windows; and plain wall surfaces (Criterion D.2). The Anzac Memorial Chapel displays a rare approach in Australia to the divisions which exist in the Christian religion. Within the one building are two Chapels, one Chapel for the Catholic faith and one for the Anglican and other Protestant denominations. These chapels share a narthex. In contrast, single denomination Churches are common and there are some examples of non-denominational Chapels. However, the Anzac Memorial Chapel provides a third type of approach which is believed to be rare in Australia (Criterion B.2). |
| Official Values: Not Available |
| Description: |
|
History
The Royal Military College (RMC) was established in 1911 at Duntroon and is an army officer training facility. Except for a short period in the 1930s, when the College moved to Sydney, RMC has continued in this role at the Duntroon site. Church services have been conducted at the College since its establishment. In the early years services were held in temporary places of worship such as classrooms. In 1958 the then Commandant decided on the need for permanent chapels and established a committee for this purpose. The architectural firm of Fowell, Mansfield, Jarvis and MacLurcan was invited to provide sketch plans. In 1963 a National appeal was established to raise funds for the chapels. The appeal raised funds from private sources, the Churches and the Commonwealth Government. Detailed plans were prepared by the architects in 1964 and construction began in 1965. The Royal Australian Engineers undertook the works and the building was completed in 1966. The Anzac Memorial Chapel is the first Australian Army chapel to contain two naves for separate worship and is considered the focus of the Christian Ministry to the Australian Defence Force. Physical description: The Late Twentieth Century Ecclesiastical style Chapel is a steel portal framed, painted brick building with a copper and tiled roof and features extensive use of timberwork. The Chapel has two naves for Catholic and Anglican/Protestant services. It is entered from a central, tower like hexagonal narthex which has clerestory lighting and is crowned by a thin spire and cross. There are cloisters at the rear of the building. The long horizontal white painted brick walls of the naves are articulated by regular vertical fenestration and contrast with the glazed narthex. The Anglican/Protestant Chapel seats 550 and includes a side Chapel. The Catholic Chapel seats 350. The basic features of the two Chapels are the same and include white painted rendered walls, timber ceilings, parquetry floors, clerestory lighting for the naves and timber pews. Each Chapel has gallery seating and a pipe organ. The crucifix for the Catholic Chapel is the work of the sculptor Tom Bass. The Anzac Memorial Chapel features a number of carved timber regimental badges mounted on the pews, coats of arms and badges displayed in the narthex and a number of sets of colours are laid up in the narthex. The building contains offices for the chaplains. In 1986 a meeting room was added to the building. Key features of the Late Twentieth Century Ecclesiastical style displayed by the building include: a radical plan shape; unbroken straight lines emphasising verticality; the tall narthex and spire reminiscent of a tower; glazing with vertically proportioned panes; clerestory windows; and plain wall surfaces. The Anzac Memorial Chapel has an impressive stepped entrance focussing on the central narthex, has courtyards and sits in an attractive park land setting of lawn and trees within the RMC grounds at Duntroon. Discussion of significance: The Anzac Memorial Chapel displays a rare approach in Australia to the divisions which exist in the Christian religion. Within the one building are two Chapels, one Chapel for the Catholic faith and one for the Anglican/Presbyterian faiths. These Chapels share a narthex. In contrast, single denomination Churches are common and there are some examples of non-denominational Chapels. However, the Anzac Memorial Chapel provides a third type of approach which is believed to be rare in Australia. The Anzac Memorial Chapel is one of a limited number of Canberra examples of the Late Twentieth Century Ecclesiastical style. All examples display very different forms within the overall style and the Anzac Memorial Chapel appears to be a good example of the style. The Chapel has additional interest as the focus of the Christian Ministry to the Australian Defence Force. |
| History: Not Available |
| Condition and Integrity: |
| The Anzac Memorial Chapel appears to be in good condition and highly intact. A meeting room was added to the building in 1986. (September 1994) |
| Location: |
| Miles Road, Royal Military College Duntroon, Campbell. |
| Bibliography: |
|
Garnett, R and Hyndes, D.
(1992) The Heritage of the Australian Capital Territory.
National Trust of Australia (ACT) et al, Canberra. Royal Military College Duntroon ( no date) Royal Military College Anzac Memorial. |
Report Produced: Tue Feb 9 23:15:24 2010