Local Government
Woodanilling
Region
Great Southern
Location
30 Robinson Rd Woodanilling
Location Details
Construction Date
Constructed from 1908
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHP - To be assessed | Current | 29 Apr 2005 |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Description | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 18 Mar 2003 | Category 1 |
Category 1 |
Shire of Woodanilling |
Values
· The place is rare as a Federation Gothic stone church in the Great Southern Region of Western Australia.
· The place is valued by the Baptist community as a place of worship.
Physical Description
‘The building is on the north side of Robinson Road, on the east of the junction of Cardigan Street. The foundation stone was laid on the southern wall by H.O. Beeck on the 12 February 1908 with other signatories being William Kennedy (pastor) and B. Hobart (Secretary).’ ‘The stone church has a corrugated galvanised iron steep pitched roof. The entrance porch which faces Robinson Road is made from stone and brick with turrets at the top. Three long windows provide light on the western (entrance) end and similar windows are on the southern and northern sides. The building was extended behind the alter on the eastern end with a stone lean to which acts as a kitchen / supper room with a door on both ends (northern and southern).’ ‘The interior has a wide Jarrah tongue and groove flooring with a crimped iron ceiling. A raised alter with steps either side. Five pews are on each side of the centre aisle. Modifications are minor – the addition of electric lighting, facia’s and repairs to the floor. To the north east of the building offset from it is a toilet block.’
History
‘The Agricultural Hall where the Baptists and Presbyterians first held services was often surrounded by water, so Pastor Kennedy began to plan for the erection of a more worthy place of worship. The pressing matter establishing spiritual work was achieved by forming a Christian Endeavour Society which met alternatively at his home and that of the station master. The popularity of this and with an enthusiastic band of helpers, he began to plan and organise toward the building of a church that would not only fulfill the local needs, but would be a focus for the surrounding districts. Kennedy wrote to leading business firms in the state, outlining his schemes and asking for donations of bricks or timber, or iron and in some cases he would make known the need for money. It was always to be his inflexible ideal to erect places of worship free of debt. Kennedy had a generous response and soon work was able to begin. The original site was rejected and so the corner site nearby was purchased.’ ‘The stone for this building was carted from a hill between Woodanilling and Boyerine. Kennedy, his wife and small daughter all assisted in the working bees to raise the stone. He never experienced any difficulty in getting willing helpers. Those who could afford to donate money did so, while others freely gave their time or loaned wagons and horses. Henry Kippin became the architect for the church and with Mr and Mrs Kennedy he planned the kind of building. While the stone construction work was being done by Messrs Gaunt and Faulkner, able assistance was received from J.E Coate, H. Beeck, B. Hobart and G. Jefferies. Kennedy manually assisted the contractors throughout the building, but his desire that it be raised free of debt was not wholly realised. Before he left to return to Narrogin in January 1909, Kennedy saw the Presbyterians give permission to hold their services in the Baptist church rather than the local hall.’