Methodist Manse (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The place is a good and largely intact example of a generous residence built in the Federation Queen Anne style. The exterior features considerable original detail in the timber and masonry. The place is an imposing structure of significant proportions and is a landmark in the streetscape. The place has historic importance as it demonstrates the pattern of suburban evolution of the metropolitan area following the Gold Rush The place has historic value for its association with the Wesleyan/Methodist Church in Western Australia and their provision of services to the community.The place has historic value for its association with the provision of medical services from this site from the 1920s until the 21st century, and demonstrates the type of small scale GP practice that was common throughout the metropolitan area in the 20th century. This place is valued by the community for the continuity of its presence in the streetscape which contributes to the community sense of place. The place had an important social value to the community as it has been the venue of health services to the community since the 1920s and would have been visited by many members of the community

Physical Description

This former residence is constructed in brick and the hipped and gabled roof is clad with corrugated sheet metal. The gables in the roof feature complex design details and the five brick chimneys include a cross motif that reflects the original association with the Wesleyan Church. The building originally had a symmetrical presentation to Newcastle Street with a central door with fan lights and side lights. Pairs of timber sash windows are located either side of the front door and the upper panes are multi pane with coloured glass. A separate verandah wraps the front and the majority of the sides of the building although later enclosures in brick and glass have blocked portions of the verandah. The verandah roof is supported on pairs of turned timber posts and a lattice frieze is located between the uprights. Centrally placed stairs provide access to the verandah and a small gable is located above these stairs. On the east elevation is a three sided projecting bay with timber sash window in each bay. The upper panels of these windows are similarly treated as the main elevation windows, with coloured glass panels

History

The first Methodist or Wesleyan Methodist services in Western Australia were held by Joseph Hardey under a large jarrah tree in what is now central Hay Street, Perth. Hardey was one group of Methodists who had arrived in Western Australia on board the 'Tranby' in 1830. Their first church building was erected on a block of land donated by J. Inkpen on the corner of William and Murray Streets in Perth. The Charles Street Methodist Mission Chapel and Methodist Church are situated on land which was first reserved in 1873 for a Wesleyan Church and Glebe. The first church on the site was a weatherboard Methodist Mission Chapel, built in 1890. This section of West Perth was a suburban fringe area, but rapidly growing. Following an increase in congregation numbers in 1896, the limestone Methodist Church was built. The foundation stone for the Church was laid on 27 October 1896, by Sir George Shenton, Mr Walter Simpson, and Mrs H. Cowell Ashton, wife of William Henry Cowell Ashton the architect and builder. The first service was held on 7 February 1897. The chapel was used for Sunday School and rented for public use. As part of the facilities for the growing population in West Perth, the Trustees of the Charles St Church engaged architect James Hine to design a manse, or residence, for the Reverend serving at the church. The selection of the site around the corner from the church on Charles Street, provided some physical separation from the church although being quite physically close. Tenders were called in February 1898 but it is not known who the contractor was for the project. An item in the West Australian, stated that Rev Arthur Bray was to take up residence in the new Manse in June 1898. On 8th October 1898, the son of Rev Bray and his wife was born at the house. Architect James Hine undertook several projects for the Wesleyan or Methodist Ministry. Subsequent Reverends who occupied the generous residence were Reverends; H. Wilkinson; C.A. Jenkins; Thomas Allen and Gilbert McLaren. By 1923, the property was occupied by Dr John Michael Guilfoyle (1888-1964) and his wife Alice Agnes (Olive) Violet, nee Prendergast and their son. The place was also used as Dr Guilfoyle's medical rooms. The place was well suited to this function as there are two separate entrances to the building and Dr Guilfoyle remained at the premises until at least the mid 1940s. In the second half of the 20th century the place continued to be associated with health services. Information from a site visit by the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage in 2017 determined that it was used as a physiotherapy clinic and extensive alterations had been made to the property. The internal spaces were altered to accommodate its new use although some original fixtures such as skirting, ceiling roses and vents were intact. An extension to the rear of the property included an exercise room featuring two pools. Aerial photographs indicate this was undertaken in the late 1990s. The original cellar was still accessible at that time. Aerial photographs since 2017 indicate that a separate building was constructed across the rear of the lot in 2019 and the front garden has been levelled, removing all evidence of any former planting or hard landscaping.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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