St Matthew's Anglican Church & Hall

Statement of Significance

St Matthew's Anglican Church is a fine example of Federation Carpenter Gothic architecture.

Physical Description

A domestic style building, intimate in scale and built in the Federation Carpenter Gothic style (Apperly et al, 1989: 124-127). The building is historically and aesthetically linked to St George's Church (fmr) at 14 Moran Street, Boulder, which is built in the same style. The church building is rectangular in plan. The roof has short eaves and timber finials decorate the roof at the front apex of the building and a side entry porch facing the street. The porch relieves the simplicity of the facade. The front gabled wall features a large cross. The exterior walls are clad horizontally with weatherboards. Other Gothic attributes include stepped buttresses along the nave, interpreted in timber. Lancets feature between the buttresses and blind lancets are at the ends of the building. The roof is unadorned and has metal cowls.

History

In July 1906, tenders were called for a new St Matthew's Church and parish hall. The tender accepted was that of Mr. D. J. Landeryou, at £1,466. It was planned that the new church would seat 320 persons, and would have two vestries adjoining the chancel. The chancel would be semi-octagonal and would be enriched by stained glass windows. To raise money for the new buildings, a most successful Fancy Dress Ball was held on August 16. By this time, the old church had been pulled down and sold in sections at auction. The new hall was completed and services were held in it until the new church was built. The Girls Friendly Society presented a piano for use in the hall. The Rev. E. M. Collick, who had now returned to the Goldfields, was the preacher at the first morning service to be held in the new hall. In October, the new St. Matthew's Church was completed. The exterior was of "rusticated jarrah weatherboard", and the interior was finished in "California red pine". Bishop Riley came to Boulder for the opening and dedication of the new church. This was held at the 10:30 am service. In the afternoon the Bishop confirmed fifty candidates. At the Annual General Meeting of St. Matthew's in June 1907, the Rector, the Rev. W. J. McClemans reported the confirmation of forty candidates. He reported, too, an increase in direct giving. He acknowledged many gifts to the new church. These included: Font, Lectern, Altar Cross, Reredos, Credence Table, the tablet over the font, electric lighting installed, the making of surplices, and the erection of a fence and gates. He also announced that the district churches at Trafalgar and South Boulder were doing well. Working expenses for the year amounted to £500. The new church and parish hall, with seating and the new block of land, had cost £1,766. Of this, £650 had been cleared, leaving a debt of £1,100. In September, after two very active years at St. Matthew's, the Rev. W. J. McClemans left to go to Claremont. He left a very fitting reminder of his work in the new St. Matthew's Church (Information page on the church from the Eastern Goldfields Historical Society (no date). The Insurance Plans for Boulder c. 1900 illustrate that Lot 145 had the Church of England. This building was constructed of wood.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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