Wesley Church and Manse, Kalgoorlie

Values

• The place has aesthetic value as it contributes to the streetscape and townscape of Kalgoorlie.
• The place is rare as it is the oldest surviving church in Kalgoorlie
• The place represents a Federation Gothic church and manse.

Statement of Significance

The Wesley Church is an important part of the early development of Kalgoorlie.

Physical Description

Church: ‘The Church building is rectangular in plan, with a nave and two entrance porches. The walls of the building have a pink coloured rock faced stone caused during a cyclone in 1970 depositing red dust on the front wall. The building is covered with a high-pitched gable roof sheeting with corrugated galvanised iron. The roof originally has 3 small fleche at the ridge in the centre of the roof, a single fleche is all that remains. The decorative edging on the front of the church has also been replaced with plainer ornamentation and a turned finial at the front apex of the church.’ ‘A porch on each side with the central large arched window breaks the simplicity of the street elevation. Each porch has a pitched roof with a small lancet window, the entrances were approached up the stairs and through a Tudor arched doorway. The lancet windows are defined by rendered reveals. The steps have had wrought iron decorative fencing along the top of the stairs which are no longer in evidence. A single storey structure has been added to the side and rear.’ Manse: ‘The former manse is a single storey residence with a spreading verandah across the façade. The walls are rock faced stone with brick quoin work. The building features a large roof lantern that lights the hallway below. The verandah is protected by a bullnosed roof supposed by paired slender posts. The building was built at the same time as the church and internally there are the original fireplaces in each too.’

History

‘The first services held were in the open air on the corner of Hannan and Porter Streets in 1894. The Wesley Church trustees then brought the block opposite on the corner of Egan and Porter streets and erected a timber and hessian church which seated 40 people, this was quickly enlarged to seat 100 people. In 1896 a wood and iron church were built on the site with plans being made for a permanent church and manse to be built. The old wood and iron church building was used as the state school with 35 children attending. The building continued to be used for Sunday School until 1985 when it was demolished, and the current hall was built on the site.’ ‘The Wesley Church was the first stone church built in the town. The foundation stone and two memorial stones were layed at a service held at 4pm on Monday 24 May 1897. This was Queen Victoria’s birthday and the 60th year of her reign. Mrs HG Parsons, Mayoress of Kalgoorlie was handed a silver trowel to lay the foundation stone, which was given to her as a momento. Seventy years later this trowel was presented to the people of Wesley Church.’ ‘The first service was conducted on 26th September 1897 by Reverend G E Rowe.’ ‘The church has suffered from cyclone damage on 16th December 1903 when much of the roof was taken off, again in 1925 and also in 1970 which left the residue of red mud from Carnarvon.’

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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