Local Government
Perth
Region
Metropolitan
75 William St Perth
Cnr Hay St
Perth
Metropolitan
Constructed from 1868 to 1872
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage List | Adopted | 20 Dec 1985 | |
| State Register | Registered | 23 May 1995 | HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument, HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Register of the National Estate | Permanent | 21 Mar 1978 | ||
| Perth Draft Inventory 99-01 | YES | 31 Dec 1999 | ||
| Uniting Church Inventory | Completed | 01 Oct 1996 | ||
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 11 Jun 1973 | ||
| Local Heritage Survey | Adopted | 28 Mar 2023 | Category 1 | |
| Local Heritage Survey | Completed\Draft | Category 1 | ||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 13 Dec 2001 | Category 1 | |
| Municipal Inventory | Completed\Draft | 13 Mar 2001 | ||
The place is a fine example of Victorian Academic Gothic architecture. The place occupies a strategic position at the corner of Hay and William Streets and makes a major contribution to the streetscape of central Perth. The place is a landmark in the city. The place is held in high regard by the members of the Uniting Church and the general community. The building is closely associated with the establishment and growth of the State and, in particular, with the Hardey and Shenton families. The place is highly significant as one of the remaining buildings by Richard Roach Jewell, an important colonial architect. The place is highly significant in the history of Methodism in Western Australia. The place is one of a small number of remaining colonial buildings of the mid-nineteenth century, the loss of which would greatly diminish the historic building stock of Perth.
Church constructed of two tone Flemish bond brick work with steeply pitched roof and landmark spire with a weathercock. The spire is surrounded by four small spires capped with metal finials. The north east tower replicates these smaller spires above the gable. Lancet windows with plate tracery to the east facade. Angle buttresses divide the nave into five bays.
The building was opened on 10 April 1870 for the Methodist congregation. Families who were part of the Methodist congregation, Hardeys and the Clarksons, arrived in the colony in 1830 and established a property in Maylands, Tranby, after the ship they travelled on. Services were held in Perth from June 1830. Land was purchased on the corner of William and Hay Streets in 1867 with funds raised from members of the community. The building was designed by Richard Roach Jewell. It was built at the same time as the Perth Town Hall. The building’s cornerstone was laid in 1867 by Governor J S Hampton. In 1880 a room was added and in the 1890s the church had to be enlarged to accommodate more people. After the earthquake in Meckering in 1968 the steeple had to be partly demolished as it was unsafe and other repairs were made. The church was redeveloped in 1974 when the Wesley Centre was built adjacent to the church and some of the building was demolished to provide more space between the buildings. During the 1980s restoration work was carried out.
High level of integrity. Medium level of authenticity as it has been restored to original detail.
Good
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 994.1 NIX 100 | Glimpses of Western Australia, (1898/1897) by Nixon and Merilees | ||
| HCWA Assessment Register of Heritage Places-Assessment Documentation Wesley Church | Heritage Council of WA | ||
| 994.1 STA | The People of Perth (1979), pp 38-39, 63 by Stannage, C. T | 1979 | |
| 720.9941 WES | Western Towns and Buildings (1979), pp 105 by Pitt Morrison, M and White, J (Ed) | 1979 | |
| 720.9941 COW | Perth and Suburbs - Buildings Classified and Recorded by the National Trust (1979), pp 27 by Cownie, Marie and Stewart | 1979 | |
| Q 711.409 SED | A City and Its Setting, (1986) by Seddon, George | 1986 | |
| Q720.9 OLD | Western Heritage (1967), pp 69-70 by Oldham, R. J | 1967 | |
| Q 726.5 | Historic Churches of Australia, (1978) pp 68-69 by Reed, T.T | 1978 | |
| P1705533 | Heritage Conservation Plan Wesley Church Perth Ronald Bodycoat | City of Perth | 1998 |
| 1.16/93 | Heritage Place File | City of Perth |
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3757 | Wesley Church, Perth WA Conservation Plan | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 1998 |
| 9973 | Wesley Church | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 2012 |
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | RELIGIOUS | Church, Cathedral or Chapel |
| Original Use | RELIGIOUS | Church, Cathedral or Chapel |
| Style |
|---|
| Victorian Academic Gothic |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Roof | TILE | Ceramic Tile |
| Wall | BRICK | Common Brick |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Religion |
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.