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Louis Williams (architect)

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Louis Reginald Williams (1890–1980) was an ecclesiastical architect in Australia. He designed churches throughout the country, particularly in Victoria, primarily Anglican but also Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans and Christian Scientists. He himself regarded St Andrew's Anglican Church, Brighton in Melbourne, as his greatest work.

Williams was probably the major church architect in Australia in the Arts and Crafts tradition from the 1920s to the 1970s.[1]

Early life and training

Williams was born in Hobart, Tasmania and attended school at Queen's College. His father was a furniture manufacturer, and the family was very religious. Williams's interest in churches led to his choosing a career in architecture, and he was trained by Alexander North, then architect to the Diocese of Tasmania.[1] Williams and North eventually became partners and moved to Melbourne, where they started a joint practice.

Career

Williams executed some domestic and commercial commissions, but specialised in churches. His primary client was the Anglican Church; for many years he was diocesan architect for both Bathurst, where he enlarged the cathedral,[2] and Grafton; he was advisory architect to the Chapter of Goulburn Cathedral, and designed buildings for every diocese in Victoria and also for the dioceses of Adelaide, North Queensland, Perth, Bunbury and for Devonport and Railton. He also worked for Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans and Christian Scientists.[1] Churches designed by him exist throughout Australia and include concrete and timber bush buildings, suburban brick buildings, and three cathedrals, two of which he completed and one of which he designed in its entirety. He himself regarded as his best work St Andrew's Church in the Melbourne seaside suburb of Brighton, where he lived.[1]

Williams was usually commissioned to design a church of a specified capacity within a specified budget. At a time when other architects were experimenting with new styles, he preferred to work within the traditional Arts and Crafts, Gothic style. Concerned about quality, craftsmanship and architectural integrity, he insisted on also designing furniture and fittings to harmonise with the building. He advised on lighting, stained glass, metalwork, altar furnishings, plate, carved ornamentation, murals, opus sectile mosaics, and floor coverings. He gathered a group of trusted craftsmen with whom he usually worked.[1] He introduced innovations that increase the sense of space in his churches and make them more comfortable in the hot climate.[1]

His career lasted for more than 65 years, until he was 86. In World War II, when most building was suspended, he moved his practice from Queen Street in Melbourne City Centre to his home in Brighton.[1]

Selected works

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Gladys Marie Moore, "Louis Reginald Williams", Masters thesis, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, The University of Melbourne, 2001, Abstract.
  2. ^ Journal and Proceedings - Royal Australian Historical Society 32 (1947) p. 149.
  3. ^ "Memorial Church for Albert Park", The Argus, 16 October 1925, p. 9.
  4. ^ "Church at Barmedman", The Sydney Morning Herald, 31 May 1938, p. 6.
  5. ^ "Memorial Cathedral for Bendigo", The Argus, 29 June 1925, p. 9.
  6. ^ "Anglican Church, Bourke", Sydney Morning Herald, 20 December 1938, p. 5.
  7. ^ "New Church at Brunswick", The Argus, 13 February 1931, p. 5.
  8. ^ "Design for Church at Canterbury", The Argus, 16 June 1928, p. 27.
  9. ^ "New Caulfield Church", The Arhus, 14 September 1939, p. 7.
  10. ^ The Argus, 6 September 1935, p. 5.
  11. ^ "New Church", The Argus, 1 May 1925, p. 13.
  12. ^ "Builders Start on Church", The Sydney Morning Herald, 16 March 1954, p. 11.
  13. ^ The Argus, 13 May 1939, p. 2.
  14. ^ The Argus, 13 April 1940, p. 9.
  15. ^ "New Presbyterian Church for Murrumbeena", The Argus, 10 November 1933, p. 11.
  16. ^ "Extension to St. John's", The Argus, 2 July 1936, p. 10.

Further reading

  • Roy R. Prentice. "Biography of Louis R. Williams LF.R.A.I.A., Ecclesiastical Architect". Royal Australian Institute of Architects, Biographical Committee, 1974. OCLC 223023953