St Andrew's Anglican Church

Statement of Significance

St Andrew’s Anglican Church, 257 Barker Road Road, Subiaco is of cultural heritage significance:
• As a good example of the design work of Austin Bastow, a local resident and Perth architect who was also a councillor of the municipality of Subiaco from c.1897, and Mayor in 1899-1902 and 1905-1906 (although the church was never completed to his original vision);
• For its social and historical value as the oldest surviving establishment church in central Subiaco;
• As physical evidence of the development of Subiaco as an established suburb in the early twentieth century;
• For is social significance for former and current members of the congregation and for those who have celebrated important life events at this church;
• For its social significance to the families of those commemorated in memorial plaques, stained glass windows and furnishings;
• As one of a decreasing number of inner-city churched of its period that still accommodate the original function;
• For its landmark value in central Subiaco.

Physical Description

St Andrew’s Church was constructed in the Federation Gothic style and displays elements of that style in its:
• Use of contrasting materials including rock-faced stone foundations, English-bond face brick-walls, and rendered detailing to the window surrounds, gable ends, string courses, plinth caps and buttress caps.
Note: the inter-war additions replicated this detailing, but the mid-late twentieth century additions are distinguished by the use of simple stretcher bond face brickwork (with no rendered or stone detailing);
• Pointed arches to the windows, with two-centred arches to the side windows
Note: the original rose window and tracery to the west end has been removed and replaced by a brick-infill panel and three slender arched windows;
• Prominent parapeted gables;
• Steeply pitched roof (clad with variegated clay tiles in the mid-twentieth century, removing the original dormer vents)
The key element of the Federation Gothic style that was omitted by the failure to complete the original design, was the landmark tower intended for the north-west corner. The building (as built in 1906 and extended in 1929) was a much more modest expression of the Federation Gothic style. Subsequent alterations and additions (such as the replacement of the west windows and the complementary but contrasting east additions) have further compromised the authenticity of the original design.

History

The first Anglican Church in Subiaco was constructed in Hay Street in 1897. By 1906 the growth of Subiaco had provided the impetus for the construction of a larger and more centrally located Anglican church. The new church was designed by the architect, Austin Bastow, in the Federation Gothic style and was planned to be built in stages - with the most elaborate elements, the north-western entry tower and a transept at the eastern end being omitted from the original construction phase.
Austin Bastow was an American born architect, with strong links to the Subiaco community. He had settled in Subiaco by the late nineteenth century and became active in local politics, serving as Mayor in 1899-1902 and 1905-1906. In the early twentieth century (before relocating in 1907) Bastow was very active as a Perth architect and in later years listed the design of St Andrew’s as one of his major works.
The church was finally extended in 1929, but the designs by architect, Herbert Parry, were much more modest than the original intent, featuring a gabled porch rather than the landmark tower at the north-west corner. Together with a new chancel and vestries at the eastern end, these works were carefully detailed and built in brick and stone to blend seamlessly with the original.
In 1952-1953 new additions were designed by Hobbs, Winning and Leighton, architects, and constructed by R.J. Davies, builder - replacing and extending weatherboard rooms at the eastern end of the church.
In c.1981, Duncan, Stephen and Mercer, Architects, were contracted to undertake further alterations and additions. These works included the relocation of the south-east entry porch to the south-west door, but primarily related to significant internal alterations, impacting on the configuration of the church. Since 2000, the rose window at the west end has been replaced with three slender pointed windows, and the interior has been further reconfigured.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High: The place continues to be occupied as an Anglican Church.

Authenticity - Moderate: When constructed in 1906 the church was completed as only the first stage of the intended design. Since that time it has been extended and altered in four primary stages, to meet the changing needs of the church (1929, 1953, 1981 and post 2000).

Rarity/Representativeness - As built in 1906 and extended in 1929, St Andrew’s Anglican Church is a good representative example of a restrained Federation Gothic church, constructed in a style and scale suited to a developing suburban community of the early twentieth century.
Extensive comparative assessment in the 1995 conservation plan determined that it “is highly representative of the types of Anglican churches constructed at this Gold Boom period, in style, materials, size and shape. It is also representative of the type of Protestant churches which were built in Subiaco at this same period.”

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.