FORMER CHURCH, 229 QUEEN VICTORIA STREET

Statement of Significance

Former Church, 229 Queen Victoria Street, is a typical stone and iron church building dating from the turn of the twentieth century. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of turn of the Century stone churches located within Fremantle. The place is a example of the Federation Romanesque style of architecture.

Physical Description

Former Church, 229 Queen Victoria Street, is a simple stone brick and iron church building with symmetrical facade designed as a simple example of the Federation Romanesque style of architecture. The building is at street street level with bitumen areas from the front elevation to the road verge. Walls are stone with red brick reveals. The roof is a simple gable with no eaves. The front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash semi circular headed windows, a central highlight semi circular headed window and an arched central front door. In 2016 the place is used as an antique shop.

History

Queen Victoria Street developed from the 1860s following the construction of the North Fremantle Traffic Bridge and the upgrading of Perth Road by convicts. Initially called Perth Road, the street has had a number of names over the years: Victoria Avenue (c.1907-c. 1937), Stirling Highway (c. 1937 to c. 1976) and Queen Victoria Street (c. 1976 on). The area bounded by Queen Victoria Street, Stirling Highway (previously Bruce Street) and John Street was the commercial and social centre of North Fremantle, where public buildings such as the town hall, police station and post office were located. Also in this vicinity were the pubs and wine bars, butchers, bakers, grocers, haberdashery and barbers shops that catered for the needs of the local community. Queen Victoria Street continues to be North Fremantle’s main commercial precinct in North Fremantle. Constructed between 1904 and 1907, the Wesylan Church was one of a number of churches built in North Fremantle during this period. The use of brick, rather than limestone, reflects the prominent use of brick as the preferred building material from the 1890s. A weatherboard hall constructed (known as the Methodist Hall) was built on the same site (to the north) sometime between 1897 and 1907. In 2004 the place was being used as an antique shop and remains so in 2016. This place was included in the 'North Fremantle Heritage Study' (1994) as a place contributing to the development and heritage of North Fremantle. It was also included in the list of heritage places in the City of Fremantle identified by the Fremantle Society (1979/80) - RED -significant for contributing to the unique character of Fremantle.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, partially restored, some loss of fabric and previous unsympathetic alterations). Moderate degree of authenticity with basic original fabric remaining.Some loss of fabric. (These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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