Council seeks to conserve Glenelg’s Murphy House

Read the letter from Mayor Amanda Wilson to the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide regarding the future of Glenelg’s Murphy House, which was damaged by fire in 2024.

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Murphy House – Glenelg Catholic Parish at 11 High Street, Glenelg

I write to seek your assistance on the Council’s behalf with the conservation of an important piece of our city’s history, being Murphy House located at 11 High Street, Glenelg, which forms part of the Glenelg Catholic Parish.

The Council understands that Murphy House has been earmarked for demolition by the Catholic Church following damage caused by a fire in February 2024, because although dating back to 1903, Murphy House is not protected by a heritage listing. Whilst it is understood that the decision to potentially demolish Murphy House is based on the building’s state of repair following the fire, so Council would like to seek support from the Catholic Archdiocese to explore whether any opportunities exist to retain the building.

Murphy House has a proud history in Glenelg, serving as both an impressive remnant of the increasingly scarce turn-of-the Century architecture that followed Glenelg’s early settlement, but also as a place for community support provided through the Church’s network of social services. The Council appreciates the unwavering support that the Glenelg Catholic Parish has provided the community through services delivered from Murphy House over many years. Murphy House therefore stands as an important reminder of the role that such meeting points have played in supporting the community to receive care and assistance in difficult times.

Given the documented history and the affection held towards Murphy House by the Glenelg community, the Council is wondering whether any decision to demolish the building could be paused to allow the Church to properly determine the building’s structural integrity and opportunity for retention. The Council is willing to provide in-kind support through the professional advice of its building staff and heritage advisor if this was viewed as helpful by the Church to achieve this end.

The Council would therefore welcome any opportunity to progress this request further, in the hope that before any consequential actions are taken, the community can be assured that all options were explored to conserve an important part of the city’s history.

Please do not hesitate to contact Anthony Marroncelli, Manager Development Services on 8229 9904 or at amarroncelli@holdfast.sa.gov.au should you wish to discuss this matter further.

Yours sincerely

Amanda Wilson, Mayor