page_title: St James Parish Hall, Toowoomba
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: St James Parish Hall, Toowoomba / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Taylor Memorial Institute in Toowoomba Queensland 1932 (aka St James Parish Hall)
context_page_description: St James Parish Hall is a heritage-listed church hall at 112 Russell Street, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Henry James Marks and built in 1912. It is also known as Taylor Memorial Institute. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 28 March 1995.
context_section_description: St James' Parish Hall was built in 1912 opposite St James Anglican Church (c. 1868) in Russell Street. James Taylor donated the land and erected the Hall designed by architect Harry J. Marks, to stand as a memorial to his parents, the Hon. James Taylor and his wife Sarah. The Hon. James Taylor had given the land for St James' Church as a gift to the Parish some forty-five years earlier, and is credited with taking a leading role in the early development of Toowoomba.
  The hall features Marks' unusual construction methods and details, including his patented "hollow wall" construction to give the appearance of a solid wall whilst being cheaper to construct than brickwork. Another interesting feature of the building developed and used by Marks is the extendable casement window which provides optimum directional ventilation. Only three of these windows remain in working order.
  The hall was opened on 1 May 1912 by Archbishop of Brisbane St Clair Donaldson. The Hall was described as "a model of architecture" with ample facilities for the uses it was to be put to, including reading rooms and library, a lounge, and as a venue for Sunday school and meetings.
  The Hall was repainted and minor repairs were undertaken in 1923-24, mostly to remedy damage from water penetration under the roof.
  The brick fence at the front of the hall is thought to have been designed (c. 1940) by Charles Beresford Marks (Harry Marks' son), and bears a small plaque in memory of James Taylor as benefactor and foundation member of St James' Parish.
  The building was substantially extended to the rear to form a large kitchen area c. 1950. Work was undertaken in 1991 to repair water damage to the roof and ceiling of the Hall.
caption: Taylor Memorial Institute, 1932
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