An Important Classic – Wentworth Memorial Church by Donald Gazzard

Words by Bronwyn Marshall
Architecture by Donald Gazzard, Clarke Gazzard and Partners
Photography by Luc Remond

A combination of curiosity and appreciation sees the revisiting of one of Sydney’s important modernist classics. Designed by Donald Gazzard of Clarke Gazzard and Partners in 1965, Wentworth Memorial Church is a standing exemplar of the movement’s fruits within Australia. Photographer Luc Remond speaks to the initial draw to capture the public building through a contemporary

Having worked with Harry Seidler early in his career, Donald Gazzard’s approach is one steeped in the grounding principles of modernism, particularly influential in shaping the movement within Australia. Since Wentworth Memorial Church was built in over 50 years ago, it continues to stand as a testament to its time. Fascinated from afar, photographer Luc Remond endeavoured to explore the unique structure through a contemporary lens. In what drew him to photograph the building he says, “Wentworth Memorial Church has always reminded me of my childhood. As a young boy I vividly recall the impact it left on me – it was unlike any other building I had been in before, particularly unlike any other church I’d ever seen. Seeing it again as an adult and photographer gave me a huge emotional response and prompted me to pursue a personal project to shoot the location while it was still intact and so impactful.”

Built in an intentionally uncomplicated and honest manner, the structure sees raw and painted brick come together with timber floorboards and ceilings and custom-made Tasmanian blackwood pews.

Sitting high on a rocky outcrop, the positioning and formal expression of the architecture gestures to a reaching upward motion. Designed as a place of worship for 350 people, Wentworth Memorial Church was built by Montieth Constructions, with all furniture and fittings custom-made at the time for the project. It was built to commemorate the servicemen and women who served during World War II. Gazzard’s European influences can be attributed to his many years working in the Northern Hemisphere and, in particular, to the work of Le Corbusier’s Church at Ronchamp. The exploration of architecture and climate and an endowed endurability influenced the white washing of the brickwork, acting as a reinforcement of its simplicity. Built in an intentionally uncomplicated and honest manner, the structure sees raw and painted brick come together with timber floorboards and ceilings and custom-made Tasmanian blackwood pews.

Deciding to reshoot the building, Luc was inspired by his own curiosity and a sense of nostalgia. In reflecting on the space, he says, “As soon as you enter the church, you immediately feel a sense of light wash down from above, which is a fitting ambience for a church. The hidden skylight above the altar creates an ethereal mood and sets the perfect tone for reflection and meditation. The whitewashed bricks, timber ceiling and brick paved floor all create a sense of light and shadow, with a glow-like quality to them.” Imagined through the modernist lens, the church captures the evolving technology at the time and access to new materiality and structural opportunities. Luc explains its interpretation as a reflective space differs in its uniqueness. “It is focused on simple, beautiful design and the ornate, decorative, and religious overtones that you often see in many churches are absent. It is a simple space that feels grounded and calm and features elements more common to a stylish, modern living space than a place of worship.”

Imagined through the modernist lens, the church captures the evolving technology at the time and access to new materiality and structural opportunities.

The opportunity buildings present as a space to bring people together, to illicit hope and create and reinforce community is becoming increasingly prevalent as we become more disconnected from one another through technology. As buildings, churches seem to represent another time, a time when those core principles were the linchpin of a people. Luc reflects on how these buildings play an integral part of the built worlds we create. “Churches should elicit a sense of calm and set the tone for pause and reflection. They’re all about a vast space but unlike other public buildings, the point is to be static and take in the surroundings with minimal movement. This is why the Wentworth Church struck such a chord with me – the beautiful space, light and modern design envelopes you as soon as you step foot inside.”

Posturing upward, Gazzard’s Wentworth Memorial Church has influenced many, and its standing as an important contribution to modernism is reflected in its selection as one of forty buildings chosen to represent the best Australian buildings of the 20th century in the millennium series of books published by the International Union of Architects. Luc Remond and his likely inquisition into the unknown has given us all an insight into the interior and its surrounds, further proving that good architecture lives well beyond its years.

As buildings, churches seem to represent another time, a time when those core principles were the linchpin of a people.