Local Government
Perth
Region
Metropolitan
86 Victoria Square Perth
Lot 123 D 1641, Lot 124 D 1641, Lot 125 D 1641, Lot 7 D 20489, Lot 8 D 30321, Lot 123 D 30321, Lot 9 D 30321, Lot 2 D 10156, Lot 50 D 4598, Lot 126 D 1641, Lot 127 D 1641, Lot C14 P 223021, Lot C15 P 223021
The Mother House
Perth
Metropolitan
Constructed from 1871
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage List | Adopted | 20 Dec 1985 |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 13 Mar 2001 | ||
| Municipal Inventory | Completed\Draft | |||
| Local Heritage Survey | Completed\Draft | Category 1 | ||
| Local Heritage Survey | Adopted | 28 Mar 2023 | Category 1 | |
04327 Mercedes College Group, Perth
The place is of aesthetic and historic significance as one of the historic buildings related to the development of Sisters of Mercy Convent and Schools, Mercedes College and Victoria Square by the Roman Catholic Church and by the Sisters of Mercy. The place represents the focus early Catholic education and of the Roman Catholic Church in Western Australia from the 1840s. The place is of social significance to members of the Roman Catholic Church in Western Australia, the Sisters of Mercy and former students of the schools and orphanages operated by the Sisters on the site. The place is of aesthetic and historic significance as one of the historic buildings related to the development of Sisters of Mercy Convent and Schools, Mercedes College and Victoria Square by the Roman Catholic Church and by the Sisters of Mercy. The place represents the focus early Catholic education and of the Roman Catholic Church in Western Australia from the 1840s. The place is of social significance to members of the Roman Catholic Church in Western Australia, the Sisters of Mercy and former students of the schools and orphanages operated by the Sisters on the site. The place is of social significance to members of the Roman Catholic Church in Western Australia.
Two storey building with steeply pitched gable roof and prominent chimneys, distinguished by Gothic pointed openings and timber verandahs with iron filigree decoration.
The Sisters of Mercy arrived in Perth from Ireland in 1846, led by Mother Ursula Frayne. After arriving in Perth, in 1846 the sisters became the first female religious teaching order to establish a school in Australia. Having navigated sectarism in Ireland, they decided to offer a general education to all Christians. The sisters prioritised Aboriginal people, immigrant Irish orphan girls, the poor and the uneducated. The sisters established a fee-paying school, benevolent institution and Western Australia’s first high school. The Convent of Mercy was announced to be constructed on the corner of Goderich Street and Victoria Square in 1868 in the Herald newspaper to solve problems of overcrowding at the current Convent of the Holy Cross (east of the St. Johns Pro-Cathedral). The foundation stone for the new Convent was laid by Bishop Griver on 11th June 1868. Construction begins under the direction of Joseph Nunan, Architect of the York Catholic Church. Works were suspended temporarily until February 1870. Bricks used to construct the Convent building are believed to have come from the East Perth Brickworks (now Queens Gardens). Further funds were received in February 1870 and works recommenced from that time under the direction of Messr’s Nunan and Brophy. Building works was completed in October 1871 and the Convent was blessed by Bishop Griver on 18th October 1871. The Convent was named the ‘Convent of the Holy Cross’ and the former convent of that name was renamed the ‘Old House’ and then later ‘Ursula Frayne Wing’ and converted to a female orphanage. The Convent building was further expanded in to the east 1874, 1893 and 1901, but has remained largely as constructed originally. The Convent is known as the ‘Mother House’ to the Order and has retained its role as the primary house of the Sisters of Mercy till 2011 and is still occupied by Mercedes College as the Mercy Heritage Centre to the present day.
Integrity - Medium level of integrity. Authenticity - High level of authenticity as the building is intact. The terracotta roof tiles probably not original, restored in the 1980's.
Good
| Name | Type | Year From | Year To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Nunan | Architect | - | - |
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.76/86A | Heritage Places File | City of Perth | |
| Building Placque | |||
| Mercedes College: Victoria Square, Perth: Conservation Plan | Parry and Rosenthal | March 1999 | |
| ACC 9763AD/1 | Alan Lloyd (2004) Documenting East Perth and its Historical Development: a pictorial presentation Online at the State Library of WA |
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | RELIGIOUS | Monastery or Convent |
| Original Use | RELIGIOUS | Monastery or Convent |
| Style |
|---|
| Victorian Free Gothic |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Wall | BRICK | Two-tone Brick |
| Roof | TILE | Terracotta Tile |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| PEOPLE | Early settlers |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Immigration, emigration & refugees |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Land allocation & subdivision |
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