Church of Christ

Statement of Significance

The place has historic significance representing the role of the Church of Chirst in the developing residential area. It has aesthetic significance for its general design quality as an example of ecclesiastical architecture, and as a recognised landmark. It has social significance to the members of its congregation for religious and social reasons.

Physical Description

Brick and iron church with recent façade. The original section of the building comprises the main body of the church and is of Flemish bonded brick construction with rectangular window openings, rendered heads to windows and original leadlights. Wall buttresses mark structural bays. The façade was rebuilt in contemporary style with glass blockwork probably circa 1970s. There is a recent office building adjacent to the east and two attached garages to the rear.

History

Prior to their church being built in 1899, the members of the Church of Christ congregation gathered in a hall. They raised 65 pounds to purchase the site, on the corner of Bagot Rd and and Madeline St (nowRowland St). The facade of the church has been recently altered. (Ref: Spillman, Ken, Identity Prized: A History of Subiaco, City of Subiaco, UWA Press, 1985, pp. 102.)
Prior to churches being built, congregations gathered in canvas tents or halls. The first churches that are still in existence were built in the late 1890s and early 1900s on Bagot Road within a block of the main street (Rokeby Road) - the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches (now Uniting), and the Church of Christ. The earliest Anglican church was built in 1906 in Barker Road and the first Catholic Church was built in 1908 in Henry Street, Shenton Park. It was common for a manse and hall to be built adjacent in association with a church, and social community events such as church concerts were widely supported. In recent years, other congregations have been established in Subiaco, such as the Centre Spiritualist Church and the Jehovah's Witnesses. (Ref: Spillman, Ken, Identity Prized: A History of Subiaco, City of Subiaco, UWA Press, 1985, pp. 102, 107; Wise's Post Office Directory.)
Subiaco began to develop as a residential and commercial area in the 1890s, with the first buildings being established along the railway line. In 1895 Rokeby Road was not yet gazetted and Hay Street was called Broome Road. By the turn of the century most of the main roads in central Subiaco were built, including Rokeby, Heytsebury, Hamersley, Bagot, Townshend, Park and Nicholson Roads. Many businesses had been established in Broome Road. Broome Road was named after Governor Broome, and was renamed Hay Street after Vice-Secretary of Colonies, 1829.
There were many land releases in the late 1890s and early 1900s as Subiaco become a popular place to settle, and businesses were attracted to the opportunity of opening in a new but stable suburb. The Rokeby Road and Hay Street commercial area was firmly established by 1915.
Over the years the nature of businesses have changed. Originally there were estate agents, dressmakers, tailors, confectioners, drapers, grocers, restaurateurs and bakers; in fact most shopping could be done without leaving the suburb.
(Sources: Wise's Post Office Directory 1893-1915; Real Estate Maps, Battye Library Collection; Spillman, Ken, Identity Prized: A History of Subiaco, City of Subiaco, UWA Press, 1985, pp. 92-110; Chate, A. H., History of Subiaco, c1952.)

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