Buckingham Memorial Church

Statement of Significance

Buckingham Memorial Church, a single storey, single room weatherboard and iron church built in the Federation Carpenter Gothic style, constructed in 1951 as a replica of the 1915 church destroyed by fire in 1944 has cultural heritage significance for its historic association with the township of Buckingham and the Buckingham family and for its aesthetic value as a good example of a church constructed in the Carpenter Gothic style. It is one of only a few buildings remaining in the Buckingham townsite.

Physical Description

The Buckingham Church is a simple rectangular timber building with a gabled roof and a small gabled entry porch. A skillion roofed addition has been built to the rear of the church. The main church building and porch are clad in weatherboards and the addition in asbestos cement sheeting. The roof is corrugated galvanised iron.
Internally the church has vertical timber cladding to dado height and plasterboard walls and coved ceiling. A dais is located at the rear of the church and a door in the rear wall leads to the addition.
The walls and ceiling of the addition are unlined.
A small toilet block is located in the grounds near the church. It is timber framed with weatherboard cladding and has a low pitched corrugated iron roof.

History

This Historical Description is based on the Heritage Assessment and Conservation Policy for the Buckingham Memorial Church & St David’s Catholic Church (Worsley Church), Hocking Planning and Architecture 1996

The Buckingham family arrived in Western Australia in 1850. In 1911 Ernest and James Buckingham arrived in Collie, opening at mill at what became Buckingham.

The first church at Buckingham was built for Ernest Buckingham with the first service conducted by Reverend Walsh on 1 November 1915.

During the 1920s and 30s, the Church played an important role in the community with a Choir run by Elsie Dawson, an Endeavour Society and Sunday School. Socials were held in the Church and Community Hall. Despite the local mill closing during the depression years, services continued to be held every second Sunday.

A fire destroyed the original church in 1944. Services were held in the home of Mr and Mrs L Stewart but number began to decline. Fires again hit Buckingham in 1945 destroying the Mill, eight houses, the general store and a hall.

Ernest Buckingham initiated the construction of a new church, cutting and stacking the timber required, including that for pews. The Church was rebuilt to the original design by John Buckingham, with finance from his brothers Ernest and James. The pews were built by A Sproston, a member of the congregation.

The non-denominational Church opened on 3 June 1951. Worshippers were primarily Methodist and Anglican.

The West Australian of 8 June 1951 (p8) reported that a new church had been constructed at Buckingham siding to replace one destroyed in a bush fire. Mr Ernest Buckingham, the mill owner, provided the materials whilst his brother James, built the church. An organ was provided by the Forrest Park Methodist Church, Mt Lawley. The church was dedicated by Methodist Ministers, the Rev AR Wilbrey and the Rev I Vaughan.

In 1954 the Buckinghams sold their mill to the State Saw Mill.

By 1961, only the Methodists worshipped at the Church so Ernest Buckingham gave it to the Methodist Church. It was registered as the Buckingham Methodist Memorial Church in memory of Buckingham’s mother Elizabeth.

The Church became a Uniting Church following the amalgamation of the Methodist, Congregational and Protestant Churches in Australia in 1977.

Services are no longer held at the Church.

Integrity/Authenticity

High/ High

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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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.