St Elizabeth of Hungary Church (fmr)

Statement of Significance

St Elizabeth of Hungary Church (fmr), a single storey timber and iron former church building, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
from 1954, the Anglican church and hall was an important religious and social venue for the residents of the new State Housing Commission suburb of Carey Park;
the place bears testimony to the work of the Sisters of St Elizabeth of Hungary in regional Western Australian communities;
the place has landmark qualities and contributes to the streetscape and the community's sense of place.

Physical Description

St Elizabeth of Hungary Anglican Church (fmr) is a single storey timber and iron building constructed in the Post-War period.

The walls are timber framed and clad with timber weatherboards to dado height with fibre cement sheeting above. The roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron. There is one face brick chimney evident. The building has gothic influenced window casements. Entry is through a side portico.

History

St Elizabeth of Hungary Anglican Church was built in 1954 by the Anglican Diocese to provide a church for the new State Housing Commission suburb of Carey Park.

Carey Park was one of the first large state housing subdivisions in the Bunbury area. Work commenced in 1947 and in 1951, a block between Little and Tipping streets was allocated to the Anglican Church. The church was built in 1954. Details of construction, including the architect and builder, have not been ascertained to dater.

The church was dedicated on the 17 July 1954 and soon became an important centre for community activities. On occasions the church was used as temporary class rooms for the nearby Carey Park School (now demolished).

By 1960, Carey Park was a suburb of 6,000 people - almost half the population of Bunbury.

The Church was closely associated with the Sisters of St Elizabeth of Hungary whose convent was located at 192 Spencer Street.

The Order of Sister of Elizabeth of Hungary was founded in London in 1916 as an offshoot of the Confraternity of Divine Love. Both were founded by Reverend Mother Elizabeth (Elizabeth Hodges) and the Order was named for the 13th century saint and princess Elizabeth of Hungary (Elizabeth of Thuringia).

The Western Australian Chapter was set up to provide “spiritual encouragement” to young English women, in particular those who had come out as part of group settlements. The Sisters arrived in Bunbury in March 1928 and soon established houses at Margaret River and Busselton. They also raised funds for small churches to be built in the group settlements.

The Sisters lived their lives according to the Franciscan tradition and wore a habit of grey, leading to them being referred to as St Francis’s “little grey sparrows”. As well as providing support for the group settlers of the 1930s they also comforted many in the community through the Great Depression and World War Two. The Sisters also helped the Clergy with parish duties, ran a Correspondence Sunday School throughout the Great Southern and a hostel which offered inexpensive board to country girls attending high school in Bunbury.

In 1966, St Elizabeth of Hungary Church became the parish hall when the Duce Memorial Hall (built 1933 in Forrest Avenue) was relocated to the site and dedicated as the church.

By the late 1990s the hall (former St Elizabeth of Hungary Church) was no longer used by for worship or community purposes and became an Opportunity Shop.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium degree of integrity (original intent partially clear, current use different to original but compatible, high long term sustainability).
Medium degree of authenticity - alterations but with much original fabric remaining
(These statements based on street survey only).
No longer used as a Church and the altar has been removed. Function changed during the late 1990s. Roof replaced.

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.