Uniting Church, Spearwood

Author

City of Cockburn

Place Number

00513

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Location

330 Rockingham Rd Spearwood

Location Details

Lot 4

Other Name(s)

Spearwood Methodist Church (fmr)

Local Government

Cockburn

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1913

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type	Status	Date	Documents	More information
Heritage List	Adopted	14 Jul 1997

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type	Status	Date	Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type	Status	Date	Grading/Management		More information
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Uniting Church Inventory	Completed	01 Oct 1996			Heritage Council
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	10 Apr 2014	Category B	Category B Considerable significance Very important to the heritage of the locality. Conservation of the place is highly desirable. Any alterations or extensions should be sympathetic to the heritage values of the place.

Statement of Significance

Uniting Church, Spearwood has historical and cultural significance as the first Methodist Church built in the Spearwood area.

Physical Description

Set well back from Rockingham Road, this fibro church is dominated by a large cross in the front. The cross was built by Mr Norm Taylor and is dedicated to him. The grounds are sparsely vegetated with a few pieces of play equipment for children. The simply designed church is rectangular with a gabled front wall and steeply pitched roof. It has an enclosed gabled porch which is built in proportion to the main building. A ramp on the left hand side of the porch allows for access to disabled visitors to the church. The interior of the church is timber-clad, and includes a number of timber plaques on the walls to mark the contribution of individuals to the church in its early years. One of the plaques is a tribute to Mrs Sarah Strauhair, founder of the church who passed away 23 November 1915.
Improvements to the church over the years included a kitchen to the rear, timber lining the church walls, a manse and Moore Cottage. Moore Cottage was originally on Garden Island and was donated by the Moores as a Sunday School room.

History

Early services for those who belonged to the Methodist Church were held in the home of Mrs Sarah Straughir. In 1913 a church was built for the growing congregation by Mr James and Arthur Hines at a cost of £175. The first minister to be appointed to the new church was J Bull who presided until 1925. Very quickly the Ladies Guild was formed and Sunday School began.
During the 1970s the Methodist Church joined with many Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian branches and became known as the Uniting Church. Over the years the maintenance of the Church has been provided by a band of community minded people. During the week this church is used by a playgroup but it is also still used for religious activities.

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY: Very good
AUTHENTICITY: Additional building in front - fibro/asbestos

Condition

Very Good

References

Ref ID No	Ref Name	Ref Source	Ref Date
	S Scott; "The History of the Spearwood Uniting Church, 1913-1993".

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Original Use	OTHER	Other
Present Use	RELIGIOUS	Church, Cathedral or Chapel
Original Use	RELIGIOUS	Church, Cathedral or Chapel

Construction Materials

Type	General	Specific
Wall	ASBESTOS	Fibrous Cement, flat
Roof	METAL	Corrugated Iron

Historic Themes

General	Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES	Religion
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES	Community services & utilities

Creation Date

29 Jul 1988

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

16 Dec 2019

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.