Monday 2 March 2009

The A to Z of 2205: Dowling St

Named by the solicitor James Arthur Dowling, a grandson of the early Chief Justice, Sir James Dowling. (The Origins of the Street Names of the Municipality of Rockdale, compiled by R.W Rathbone, 1990)

There are some seriously gorgeous houses in Dowling St, mainly towards the Wollongong Rd end, where there are some magnificent Victorian and Federation houses, nicely restored. Most of these are opposite Athelsatne Public School (which was once a beautiful Victorian mansion).

Below: Athelstane Public School





Below: Looking along Dowling St from Wollongong Rd; fence of Athelstane PS on left.

Below: The mixed business shop on the corner of Wollongong Rd - the Dowling St aspect.

Below: The next few pics are the beautiful Victorian and Federation houses





















Below: And possibly the not-quite-so-beautiful?

Below: 19 Dowling St was once a Federation house, but these days its the place to get along to if you want to denounce homosexuality or celebrate the resurrection of the founder's dead daughter. It's now called the Life Centre. As their website explains:

"The church was founded by Pastor Elizabeth Brookshaw in 1982, just after her daughter was miraculously raised from the dead. From this incident, her whole family surrendered their whole lives to God and committed themselves to true repentance. From here, her whole family started to gather together to pray and worship God. This home fellowship continued to grow into a church that was known by the name of The Body of Christ Mission Centre and was blessed with a 2700 square metre property in Arncliffe, Sydney.In November 2003, the senior leadership of the church was handed over to her son and daughter-in-law; Ben & Cisca Irawan, leading a new generation church with a Godly influence. In November 2004, the church formally changed its name to Life Centre. "

“We firmly stand against and denounce homosexuality, adultery, sexual perversion, same-sex marriages, pornography, gambling, drug use & partaking of intoxicants, physical abuse, satanism, or divination in any form.”





Below: Looking towards Wollongong Rd, across Hirst St
Below: With back to Hirst St, looking along Dowling St

Below: From Gipps St to Hirst St

Photos taken 2001, July 2006 and 17 August 2008

1 comment:

CaBaCuRl said...

Couldn't help myself Sally...thanks for the nudge! I think I raved on once before about 1 Dowling st (Pam's grandparent's place), & the Federation house 2 doors down, owned by the Maxwells. Where the LIfe Centre is (is it on the corner?) used to be the Baptist Church, with the church proper in the next street. I used to go to Girls Brigade there...another failed venture on my parent's part to reform this wayward daughter! The mixed business, on the corner of Wollongong Rd & Dowling St used to be owned by the McGill family, & the father, Arnold , was a renowned ornithologist...this would be 50 years ago.It was eventually taken over by the Lockwoods who lived in the last house before the church on the Hurst St corner. The not-so-beautiful house on the corner of Horsell Ave (my old street) & Dowling used to be owned by the Shipmans & was quite a handsome house on a large block. Thanks for prompting the memories...I'm sure Mum has many many more as she lived in Horsell Ave for 50 years or so.