Anglican Duce Memorial Hall (fmr) - site

Statement of Significance

RELOCATED FROM SITE to Australind (Shire of Harvey)
Duce Memorial Hall was built in 1933 in memory of John Duce, an energetic parishioner. The hall was relocated several times for different use by the Anglican community in Bunbury. It was moved to Carey Park in 1966 for use as a church in the rapidly expanding State Housing Commission suburb.

Physical Description

RELOCATED to Paris Road, Australind (Shire of Harvey)

History

Duce Memorial Hall was built at St David’s Rectory in Forrest Avenue in 1933. It was funded by Mrs Duce in memory of her husband, John, an energetic parish worker. It has been relocated several times.

In 1953, the hall was moved to St David’s Church in Spencer Street for used as a parish hall.

It was again moved in 1966, when it was relocated to Little Street, Carey Park, and consecrated as the Church of Elizabeth of Hungary. The former church in Spencer Street then became the parish hall.

The former hall was relocated again in 1986, this time to Paris Road, Australind, where it was placed in the St Nicholas Church grounds to alleviate the pressure of increased parishioner attendance there. The hall was once again rededicated.

The hall was closely associated with the Sisters of St Elizabeth of Hungary whose convent was located at 192 Spencer Street. The Order of Sister of Elizabeth of Hungary was founded in London in 1916 as an offshoot of the Confraternity of Divine Love. Both were founded by Reverend Mother Elizabeth (Elizabeth Hodges) and the Order was named for the 13th century saint and princess Elizabeth of Hungary (Elizabeth of Thuringia). The Western Australian Chapter was set up to provide “spiritual encouragement” to young English women, in particular those who had come out as part of group settlements. The Sisters arrived in Bunbury in March 1928 and soon established houses at Margaret River and Busselton. They also raised funds for small churches to be built in the group settlements.

The Sisters lived their lives according to the Franciscan tradition and wore a habit of grey, leading to them being referred to as St Francis’s “little grey sparrows”. As well as providing support for the group settlers of the 1930s they also comforted many in the community through the Great Depression and World War Two. The Sisters also helped the Clergy with parish duties, ran a Correspondence Sunday School throughout the Great Southern and a hostel which offered inexpensive board to country girls attending high school in Bunbury.

Integrity/Authenticity

RELOCATED.

Condition

Unknown.

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.