St Mary's Convent - Christian Brothers' Agricultural School

Author

City of Greater Geraldton

Place Number

25465

Location

970 Kelly Rd Tardun

Location Details

Local Government

Greater Geraldton

Region

Midwest

Construction Date

Constructed from 1939

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
Heritage List Adopted 15 Dec 2015

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Municipal Inventory Adopted 24 Jun 2014 Category 1

Parent Place or Precinct

01672 Christian Brothers' Agricultural School Group

Statement of Significance

St Mary's Convent is an important part of the Christian Brothers' Agricultural School and has considerable historic value for its association with three groups of Sisters between 1938 and 1969. The Convent building was designed by priest-architect Monsignor John Hawes whose architectural works are prominent in the region. It is a prominent building in the school complex with commanding views over the surrounding countryside.

Physical Description

St Mary's Convent is located to the east of the Main Building and faces south. The square rendered masonry two storey building has a hipped tiled roof and a two storey verandah on all sides. The first floor verandah is supported by octagonal concrete columns, six on each side. The roof of the upper verandah is supported by pairs of columns above the octagonal columns below, with three columns at the corners. The parapet on the southern facade has corbel tables under the gable slopes and is surmounted by a cross. A brick chimney punctuates the western roofscape while the windows are timber framed and double hung. The south east corner of the verandah is enclosed with concrete block. There is a low walled garden to the frontage (south side) with two large palm trees dominating the front facade of the convent. Directly in front of the Convent is a small shrine. (Refer to the conservation plan for a detailed description of the building)

History

In 1938 three Sisters of Nazareth took up residence at Tardun and prompted the construction of the Convent which has accommodated three groups of sisters over the years - 1938-1941: Nazareth Sisters, 1941-1966: Presentation Sisters, 1967-1969: Sisters of Preparation. The Convent was built to a design of Priest-Architect Monsignor John Hawes. (Refer to the conservation plan for a detailed history of the building)

Integrity/Authenticity

Original Fabric: Largely intact

Condition

Good

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Historic Themes

General Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES Religion
PEOPLE Famous & infamous people

Creation Date

16 Jul 2015

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

18 Mar 2021

Disclaimer

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.