Tuesday, 31 August 2010

The Rocks, Rawson Institute for Seamen

This view of the Rawson Institute for Seamen, formerly the Mariner's Church, at The Rocks is from Circuar Quay West. The original Mariners' Church building in George Street was designed by John Bibb in the Victorian Free Classical style in temple form and built in 1859. Alterations were designed by William Kent in Federation Free Classical style in 1909. A new chapel was built in the Inter-War Mediterranean or Romanesque style In 1927. The Bethel Union, which built the original church was involved in missionary activity among seamen. They leased the Mariners' Church to the Missions to Seamen in 1835, creating a mission for neglected seamen. The complex included accommodation, a hall for concerts and dining, smoking rooms, a library and a gymnasium. The two organisations combined functions and after Sir Henry Rawson instigated extensions which were carried out in 1910, the complex was renamed The Rawson Institute for Seamen. These days the complex is a gallery.
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34 comments:

  1. Luis GomezTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 01:08:00 GMT+10

    Really nice! I had never seen it.

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  2. HelsTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 01:19:00 GMT+10

    I am glad someone was looking after the welfare of seamen in the 1850s, otherwise they may have ended up drinking or groping women in Sydney!!!! What an amazing exterior.

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  3. Sylvia KTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 03:34:00 GMT+10

    Beautiful building and with a very interesting history. Great post and photo as always. Have a wonderful week!

    Sylvia

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  4. FranciscaTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 03:58:00 GMT+10

    Jim, what an eclectic set of buildings right next to each other. Despite what Hels writes, I'd bet the sailors were out groping anyway. :-D

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  5. David R. ReidTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 07:26:00 GMT+10

    What an amazing old historical building.

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  6. AnonymousTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 08:35:00 GMT+10

    What a beautiful building, leaves one impressed, that everything looks so good in your city. Please have a good Tuesday.

    daily athens

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  7. JulieTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 08:50:00 GMT+10

    That area is a terrific part of Sydney for photography, Jim. Some of the details of that building come up well, too.

    Where I am today in McElhone park in Elizabeth Bay is just a short walk from where I live. I am going down there a few more times in the next two weeks to document more of the unique ambience of high density life on the harbour.

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  8. AnonymousTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 09:17:00 GMT+10

    pretty facade. fancy seeing the palms trees in the front.

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  9. eileeninmdTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 09:20:00 GMT+10

    It is a beautiful building, thanks for sharing its history.

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  10. Bruce CaspersonnTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 10:06:00 GMT+10

    You always show such interesting stuff, good work.

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  11. SandyCarlsonTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 10:50:00 GMT+10

    A very beautiful place!

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  12. BarbTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 11:27:00 GMT+10

    I like the tropical colors of the architecture - but, I'd think it would be blue instead!

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  13. AlTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 11:58:00 GMT+10

    That's a very interesting mix of styles.

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  14. Jenn JilksTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 12:10:00 GMT+10

    Thank you for visiting My World ! Great building.

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  15. magiceyeTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 13:43:00 GMT+10

    impressive!

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  16. RajeshTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 14:04:00 GMT+10

    Beautiful architecture.

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  17. UnknownTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 14:28:00 GMT+10

    i keep thinking of Middle East when i look at this photo. it looks Mediterranean to me.:p

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  18. BraComTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 16:02:00 GMT+10

    Thank you for sharing this beautiful architecture photo

    Have a nice week,
    Greetings, Bram

    My Word Tuesday post

    Seen on My World Tuesday

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  19. seema guptaTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 17:15:00 GMT+10

    a beautiful city....

    regards

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  20. AnonymousTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 17:19:00 GMT+10

    Interesting building and good light!

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  21. Regina Tuesday, 31 August 2010 at 17:40:00 GMT+10

    Beautiful building and history.
    Enjoy great week.

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  22. AnimorTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 17:57:00 GMT+10

    Beautiful photo and history of the building.

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  23. JossieTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 18:04:00 GMT+10

    Has the building been renovated recently? The sandstone looks so clean. It is a pretty building with a nice history.

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  24. AnonymousTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 19:14:00 GMT+10

    this building is impressive and beautiful! thank you for sharing!
    Bye !!

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  25. MoTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 19:56:00 GMT+10

    Lovely buildings

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  26. JimTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 20:24:00 GMT+10

    Jossie, I know that they did some restoration work back in the 1980s and again in the 1990s. There is also a different colour scheme from what I have seen in some other photos, so there could have been more work done on it recently.

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  27. Reader WilTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 21:00:00 GMT+10

    Thanks for showing these buildings of a Sydney I don't know. The places I saw where interesting enough for tourists. You show the places I also should like to see.
    Have a great week!

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  28. ElisaTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 21:46:00 GMT+10

    Such a great building:)
    Greetings froma Argentina
    Elisa

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  29. alicesgTuesday, 31 August 2010 at 22:33:00 GMT+10

    Very nice building. Look very clean and neat.

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  30. Kay L. DaviesWednesday, 1 September 2010 at 00:51:00 GMT+10

    I remember seeing this building when my young brother and I visited Australia in 1982. We wondered what an institute for seamen might be, but were on a tight travel schedule so couldn't take time to investigate.
    Thanks for commenting on my blog, too.
    Kay
    Alberta, Canada

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  31. This Is My Blog - fishing guyWednesday, 1 September 2010 at 03:40:00 GMT+10

    JBar: What a wonderful place to use for worthy people.

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  32. Walk in New YorkWednesday, 1 September 2010 at 04:48:00 GMT+10

    magnifique immeuble.

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  33. marinaWednesday, 1 September 2010 at 10:31:00 GMT+10

    an interesting building. Great shot!

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  34. UnknownThursday, 2 September 2010 at 05:01:00 GMT+10

    Very interesting seeing the different styles side by side.

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