The Bishop's House, situated at the corner of Abbott and Minnie Streets, is a two-storeyed building constructed in reinforced concrete in a style reminiscent of
colonial India. It has a rectangular plan form with a wide open verandah along Abbott Street. Verandahs that return halfway down the southeast and northwest elevations have been enclosed. A toilet block extends at the western corner and a rear verandah has been enclosed. A two-storeyed s addition extends from the southern corner of the building. A fence contemporary with the construction of the building survives along Abbott Street and returns down Minnie Street. It consists of a low concrete wall with evenly spaced piers and "Cyclone" chain mesh infill panels running up to paired concrete gate posts in line with entrances at Abbott and Minnie Streets. The Lake Street
facade is equally proportioned in three sections with the centre section projecting. These sections are divided into three bays by rectangular
columns which have between them at ground floor level a recessed four-centred arch valance and at first floor heavy scrolled
brackets. The verandahs at both levels have a partially solid balustrade with shaped square section
balusters. Above the verandah is a heavy
dentilled
cornice with parapet with blind balusters. The entrance is accentuated at
parapet level by a statue of the
Virgin Mary in a
niche formed by columns supporting a heavy semi-circular
pediment. Above this and behind the parapet rises a small
gable with a heavy coping. This gable is repeated at the ends of the building along the Abbott Street elevation. The roof which employs both hip and gable forms is clad in corrugated fibrous cement sheeting. The rear elevation has three sash casement window frames with small hoppers over located between the symmetrical concrete frame and enclosing a rear verandah. Windows at ground level have window hoods supported on decorative timber brackets. The main entrance to the building is up wide concrete steps to a timber
porch which has a heavy timber paneled door with lead-lighted side panels. This detailing is repeated at the entrance door and again in a dividing wall or screen across the foyer. Beyond this screen is a secondary foyer which has a heavy timbered
silky oak stair with
Edwardian detailing. The floor plan is designed around a central hall on both levels that typically have French doors opening onto the verandahs. To the right of the main foyer at ground level is what is now a conference room. A small chapel is located in the southern corner of the ground floor in which is situated a white painted timber altar. Other ground floor rooms are now used as offices. The first floor landing extends across the width of the building through a
colonnade to the rear verandah which has a single stair to the ground floor. A later
suspended ceiling has been installed in this area. To the right of the first floor landing the original Bishop's suite exists in the western corner along Minnie Street. This was extended when the western verandah was enclosed. The detailing of the doors and windows is Edwardian in clear finished silky oak. Doors are both panelled with patterned opaque hopper over lights or half glass with panelling below. Ceilings are plaster with simple coved
cornices and floors are polished timber. The Bishop's House is very intact. == Heritage listing ==