The Convent

History

Referred to as the ‘iconic building’ the Convent is ironically one of the youngest buildings on site! Built between 1900 – 1903, the architects were Reed Smart & Tappin. The original Good Shepherd Order convent in France clearly influenced the design of the Abbotsford version as it reflects the Gothic style of the French building.

The roofs are of a steep gabled design with an intricate western spire (best viewed from the formal garden). The roughcast or pebble –dash walls was a style popular in France and this is one of Victoria’s earliest examples of the style. The contrasting brick highlights are another feature of this specific type of architecture.

The Convent is one of the largest building projects that was undertaken by the Catholic Church in Victoria. Through staging a ‘World’s Fair and Art Union’ the Sisters raised 37,000 pounds so they could build the ‘mother house’ for the Australian and New Zealand order.

Originally, entry to the Convent was through the main entry gate in Clarke Street – via a covered walkway, which is now demolished. The Convent building housed the Sisters’ cells and meeting/community rooms. They had their own refectory and library space on the ground floor.

Present use

Now days, the Convent building provides studios for many practitioners working in myriad art forms. Authors, jewellers, visual artists, photographers, architects, graphic designers and a basket weaver now enjoy working in the small sun filled rooms where the sisters used to sleep. In some of the larger rooms where the novices were housed in dormitory style, small to large arts companies are operating and a WellBeing centre occupies the eastern middle wing of the Convent.

The ground floor of the Convent offers a range of interesting spaces for conferences, exhibitions, meeting rooms and other functions, including retail and exhibition spaces.