Local Government
Chapman Valley
Region
Midwest
Lot 111 Chapman Valley Rd Nanson
Lot/Loc: 111 DiagPlan: 159252 Vol 3141 Fol 989
Chapman Valley
Midwest
Constructed from 1938
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Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
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Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 31 Oct 1996 | Category 1 |
The Nanson Convent has considerable historic significance for its connection with the adjacent church-school which provided for much needed educational services to the local community. The Convent and Church-School have further historic value for their close association with renowned Priest-Architect Monsignor John Hawes, who designed both buildings, and local builder Enrico Boschetti, who constructed them. The place has considerable aesthetic merit for its fine use of local stone and decorative detailing including brick quoining and bay window. Together with the nearby Anglican Church, the buildings combine to form a pleasing cultural environment.
Located immediately to the south of the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, the former convent is situated in an enclosed garden with a pathway leading from the gate to the main entrance. The single storey building is constructed of locally quarried stone with a hipped corrugated iron roof. The roof features simple ventilation gablets and is punctuated by a tall masonry chimney to the northwest roofscape. The roof extends broken back to cover the surrounding verandahs which are supported on square timber posts and partly enclosed with shade cloth. Brick quoining enhances the corners and openings while a bay window to the eastern facade is where the chapel is located. Windows are timber framed double hung and multi pane in style with rendered sills. (Refer to HCWA RHP Documentation for a more detailed description including internal description.)
The Convent, designed by Monsignor Hawes, was built by Enrico (‘Henry’) Boschetti in 1938 at a cost of 700 pounds. Both the convent and the adjacent church school building were opened and blessed by the Bishop of Geraldton, the Most Reverend Dr O'Collins on 29 January 1939. To begin with three Presentation Sisters, who had been transferred from the Northampton Convent, were in residence at the Nanson convent and taught at the adjacent school. From the late 1950s enrolments at the adjacent church school began to decline resulting in the closure of both the school and the convent in 1965. At present the former convent functions as a private residence. (Source: HCWA RHP Documentation)
Integrity: High Original Fabric: Predominantly Intact Modifications: Some verandah infill
Good
Name | Type | Year From | Year To |
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Monsignor John Hawes | Architect | 1938 | - |
Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
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Taylor J : "Conservation Plan for Our Lady of Fatima Church and Convent, Nanson". | 2000 | ||
Marchant JR; "Cork to Capricorn: A History of the Presentation Sisters in Western Australia 1891 – 1991". | Perth | 1996 | |
"The Record" p. 8 | 23/2/1939 | ||
Chapman Valley Heritage Trail Brochure, | 1988 | ||
Taylor J; "Between Devotion and Design: The Architecture of John Cyril Hawes 1876-1956". | UWA Press | 2000 | |
HCWA P473 | "Register Assessment Documentation". | HCWA |
Individual Building or Group
Epoch | General | Specific |
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Present Use | RESIDENTIAL | Single storey residence |
Original Use | RELIGIOUS | Monastery or Convent |
Type | General | Specific |
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Wall | STONE | Local Stone |
Roof | METAL | Corrugated Iron |
General | Specific |
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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.