Naraling Church Hall

Statement of Significance

The Naraling Church Hall has considerable historic significance for its important role in the social and religious life of the local community. The building is the most visual reminder of the Naraling townsite and presents as a solid and decorative structure in an otherwise rural setting. The combination of stone buttressing and decorative mouldings to the openings give the place aesthetic appeal. Although only occasionally used, the place is held in high esteem by the Chapman Valley community.

Physical Description

Located on a sweeping bend of the Chapman Valley Road, the Naraling Church Hall is the most visible remnant reminder of the old Naraling Townsite. The Hall presents as a picturesque building with a high degree of integrity. It has stone buttressed corners and walls, pointed stonework to the front facade, Gothic arch windows and doors and detailed rendered weather mouldings complete with boss around arched windows and the main double timber doors which address the front. Original timber window frames have been replaced with aluminium windows. A framed rear extension, which accommodates a kitchen/tea room, is clad with asbestos wall sheeting. Above the framed addition the top half of a large gothic arch can be seen (filled with framing and CGI) apparently to have opened into a future extension not built according to local anecdotes. There are concrete block ablutions to the rear.

History

Naraling was declared a townsite in 1910 when the Wokarena-Naraling branch railway line opened. Indeed, the railway was officially opened at Naraling on 8 October 1910, and was extended to Yuna in 1913. The railway encouraged settlement in the area and with the increased population there emerged shops, a school, a blacksmith’s shop and a RSL Hall. Naraling also boasted tennis courts and a sports oval. It was decided in 1923 that in the interests of the area a church hall should be built at Naraling to cater for church services and social events. This stone building, 40ft by 20ft, was built opposite the Government School and on the site of the blacksmith's shop, which has been sold and carted away. The Hall was constructed by local stonemason, Bob Salmon, using local stone carted from Joe Pascoe’s property at Nolba. Bob Salmon was responsible for the construction of numerous buildings in the district including the Nolba Post Office and Exchange buildings as well as a number of private residences such as Annan and Roskams Farmhouses. The foundation stone was laid by James Criddle on 21 August 1926, and the Hall was declared open on 27 November 1926, by Mr Neil Calder, with a large gathering of residents present for the occasion. The Hall is still in use for occasional church services, meetings and social functions.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Original Fabric: Totally intact except for minor alterations Modifications: Aluminium window frames

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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