Local Government
Albany
Region
Great Southern
Location
Lot 1575 Brunswick Rd Port Albany
Location Details
Other Name(s)
Rocking Stones
Construction Date
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage List | Adopted | 27 Oct 2020 |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Local Heritage Survey | Adopted | 27 Oct 2020 | Considerable | |
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 30 Jun 2001 | Category B | |
Statement of Significance
Mass Rocks has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: The place is the site of the first religious service celebrated by a Catholic priest in Western Australia in January 1838 and marks the establishment of the Roman Catholic Church in WA in 1843
Physical Description
Some of the notable features of this place include: • Open setting, on the original foreshore below the offices of the Albany Port Authority • Two large rocks, one flat, with the other large boulder appearing to balance on it • A rough timber altar - added in 1993 • Access from Bolt Terrace or Brunswick Rd
History
Mass Rocks, sometimes known as Rocking Stones, are located to the east of the boundary of a four-acre block, E1, allocated to Sir James Stirling. At these rocks in January 1838 a religious service was celebrated for the first time by a Catholic priest in the settlement of Western Australia. The chaplain of the French warship “L’Heroine” gathered people to this place and offered Mass. In 1843 a mass conducted on the site by newly arrived priests marked the establishment of the Roman Catholic Church in WA. An outdoors wooden altar made from timbers salvaged from the old Albany deep water jetty was built on the site in 1993.
Integrity/Authenticity
Integrity: High/Moderate Authenticity: High/Moderate
Condition
Good
References
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage TODAY Site visit and Assessment | 1999 | ||
| L Johnson; "Town of Albany Heritage Survey". | 1994 |
Place Type
Historic Site
Uses
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | OTHER | Other |
| Original Use | OTHER | Other |
Historic Themes
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Religion |
Creation Date
10 Mar 2000Publish place record online (inHerit):
ApprovedLast Update
08 Dec 2021Disclaimer
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.