St Thomas More Roman Catholic Church, Margaret River

Author

Heritage Council

Place Number

00113

Location

20 Wallcliffe Rd Margaret River

Location Details

Cnr Wallcliffe Rd & Farelly St

Other Name(s)

St Thomas More Church

Local Government

Augusta/Margaret River

Region

South West

Construction Date

Constructed from 1982

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
Heritage List Adopted 08 Aug 2012

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
RHP - Assessed - Consultation (Preliminary) Current 20 Apr 2007

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Municipal Inventory Adopted 01 Jul 2012 Considerable Significance
Municipal Inventory Adopted 17 Jun 1996 Criterion 4
Register of the National Estate Indicative Place
Survey of 20th Ctry Architecture Completed 01 Mar 1988

Values

• The place is rare as a Late 20th Century Perth Regional architectural style church in Western Australia.
• The place has aesthetic value as it contributes to the streetscape and townscape of Margaret River.
• The place has representativeness value as it shows the strength of the catholic community in the district.
• The place has social value as many of the local community contributed their time and skills to the erection of the church.

Physical Description

St Thomas More Catholic Church is a substantial church made from rammed earth. The roof is made from corrugated iron. It displays high windows and two large stained-glass windows (located near the altar). The church contains large amount of polished jarrah. The façade of the church displays huge, rammed earth pillars, with precast concrete arch heads and a Donnybrook stone floor. The church features local timber construction and outstanding leadlight and stained-glass windows.

History

The church was built by the local Catholic community as a community project. The clay and granite used for the walls came from local farms. The altar piece of jarrah was carved by a local craftsman and the font and cross, also of jarrah, were done by another local craftsman. The floor was laid with donnybrook stone. The stained-glass windows were made locally and the stations of the cross, made of beaten copper, were made by local women. The children were involved in the cleaning up. It is now a centre for the Catholic community and other groups in the town who use the building’s excellent facilities. St Thomas Moore Catholic church was officially opened on Monday 24th January 1983 (Australia Day). The church was dedicated by Bishop Peter Quinn (Bunbury).’

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good Very Good

Associations

Name Type Year From Year To
Chris Wilcox & Assoc Architect - -

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use RELIGIOUS Church, Cathedral or Chapel
Present Use RELIGIOUS Church, Cathedral or Chapel

Architectural Styles

Style
Inter-War Gothic
Late 20th-Century Ecclesiastical

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Roof METAL Corrugated Iron
Roof METAL Corrugated Iron
Wall TIMBER Weatherboard
Wall EARTH Pise {Rammed Earth}
Other ASBESTOS Fibrous Cement, flat

Historic Themes

General Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES Religion
PEOPLE Innovators
DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY Settlements
DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY Immigration, emigration & refugees

Creation Date

30 May 1989

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

07 Jul 2022

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.