Beagle Bay Mission Church

Statement of Significance

The place has a high degree of aesthetic value, both internally and externally, and exhibits a well resolved combination of architectural, symbolic and artistic motives.

The church is an outstanding example of creative use of local resources for both construction and decorative purpose.

The place illustrates the early European occupation of a previously isolated portion of the state.

The place is closely associated with the work of missionaries and attempts to induct Aboriginal people into the Christian faith.

It is highly valued by the mission community for their considerable involvement in its establishment and contributes to their sense of place.

The continuing use of the place for religious activities enhances the social value.

The place is a rare example of a religious building combining a high value of construction and artistic excellence in a remote setting.

The place has a landmark quality, with its central location within the collection of mission buildings. The wide grassed area surrounding the Church enhances its prominence and contributes to its landmark quality.

Physical Description

Beagle Bay Mission Church, located in the Shire of Broome, is of clay brick construction. The style classification of Beagle Bay Mission Church in Inter-War Gothic, although the church is a very simple form of Gothic design that reflects the austere conditions and limited resources available at the time of construction.

Beagle Bay Mission Church is orientated on the traditional east-west axis, with the entry to the west end of the building under a three level bell tower crowned with a spire and crucifix. The nave is a long rectangular space with a central aisle and timber pews arranged each side of the aisle. This nave east wall is crowned externally with a small tower, spire, orb and crucifix, and has pinnacles at each end. The sanctuary in the east end of the church has two side rooms for a sacristy and altar boys dressing/service room. These two side rooms have gable end walls to the north and south ends, and like the other walls of the church are securely buttressed both for strength and appearance.

'Clay' bricks made on site were used for the construction of the walls. Inspection of a sample brick available revealed that they are relatively light in weight. The roof over the nave is formed from three sheets of 'corrugated iron' from ridge to gutter.

History

Beagle Bay Mission Church, also known as the Sacred Heart Church, was constructed between 1915 and 1918 by the Pallottine Brothers and Aboriginal residents of Beagle Bay Mission.

The Mission takes its name from nearby Beagle Bay which was named in 1838 by Lieutenant L. Stokes after the H.M.S. Beagle, the ten gun brig on which he sailed. Works there included the construction of a small church and monastery in 1891.

On 15 August 1918, on the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, Beagle Bay Mission Church was dedicated by Father Creagh, the Apostolic Administrator of the Kimberley Vicariate, to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In 1930, Beagle Bay Mission was 'a thriving religious community', home to hundreds of Aboriginal children who lived in dormitories and attended the church school.

In 1949, Bishop Otto Raible commissioned Sister Roswina, a religious sister belonging to the order of the Institute of the Schoenstatt Sisters in Germany, to design and paint the Stations of the Cross for the Beagle Bay Mission Church.

In 1959, Father John Jobst succeeded Bishop Raible and Beagle Bay Mission entered a new phase of activity. An energetic building program was undertaken in the early 1960s, including a school (1960), a dormitory, dining room, domestic science block and a new store (1964).

Beagle Bay Aboriginal Community was issued with a 99 year lease title for land comprising 600 000 acres in September 1976.

Integrity/Authenticity

The church retains high integrity and authenticity, having fulfilled and sustained its religious function since construction, with few alterations to the form of the building.

Condition

Beagle Bay Mission Church is in sound to poor condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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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.