Nagle College & Stella Maris Convent

Statement of Significance

The former Stella Maris Convent. now part of Nagle College is a fine example of the Inter-War Gothic style and has very high, aesthetic, historic and social significance. The buildings form a prominent landmark in the city centre and provide a strong aesthetic contribution to the townscape as part of an important grouping of Roman Catholic church and educational buildings in close association with the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral and the former Bishop's Palace. The place is impo11ant historically for its long association with the Presentation Sisters, and socially as a long established educational institution and as an alternative to the government school system: In particular for its former role providing residential student accommodation serving the Mid West region for many years. The central towers to the buildings, especially that completed in 195 1, add a variety in building style not provided elsewhere in Geraldton. Aesthetic Value: The Stella Maris convent is a good representative example of the style of building adopted in the early twentieth century by architects who wished to temper the Gothic stereotype for religious buildings with the uncluttered simplicity of mass and detail favoured by the modernists. Its simple massing and prominent gothic styled tower give it landmark quality and a distinctive prominence in the Geraldton streetscape. [Criterion 1.3] The building as finally built in 1951 has a characteristically Inter-War interpretation of the Gothic style and is a competent design that represents a transitional stage in the development of modem church architecture in Western Australia. [Criterion 1.2] The place is significant in exhibiting aesthetic characteristics that have led to its listing on the Municipal Inventory, demonstrating that its aesthetic qualities are valued by the community. [Criterion 1,l] Historic value: The place is significant as representing a transitional stage in the development of architectural history in Western Australia and reflects the search for an appropriately up-to-date style in the city of Geraldton. [Criterion 2.2] The place is historically significant because of its role in the provision of places of religious and general education and the spread of the Roman Catholic Church in Western Australia. The place also has special historical significance because of its close associations with the Congregation of the Sisters of the Presentation and their work in the region over a period of more than IOOyears. [Criterion 2.4] Social value: The place has social significance through its association with the Roman Catholic Church and the provision of religious and general education to the community over a very wide area of Western Australia. [Criterion 4.1] Rarity: The place is an increasingly rare and distinctive example of an Inter-War religious education building and the building is unique in Western Australia. It represents one of the few remaining examples designed by this well known and respected designer/builder. It is also one of only a few Inter-War Gothic buildings still standing. [Criterion 5.2] Representativeness: The place is significant in demonstrating the principal features of one of the styles of modern church building of the period as well as the attributes that identify it as being characteristic of its class. [Criterion 6.1] Condition, Authenticity and Integrity: The building is in excellent condition and because of the quality of the original design and construction, and the standard of maintenance, the place has a high level of integrity and authenticity. It is in almost the original 1951 condition and substantially unaltered internally, retaining the original structural form and layout as well as fixtures and fittings.

Physical Description

The Stella Maris component of Nagle College is located on a prominent elevated site to the west of the adjacent St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in the central area of the city. The college consists of a collection of buildings and later extensions, with the original convent building, dating back to 1902 and completed in 1951, forming the focus of the campus. The Stella Maris Convent is a two storey, rendered brick building of mainly 'functional' character with aspects of the Inter-War Gothic style favoured by religious organisations at that time. The convent is partly obscured from the road by large trees and is located to the north of what is now the main college entry wing. The prominent central tower is flanked by a deep first floor access balcony on either side forming a verandah over the ground floor below and creating a symmetrical facade facing north across extensive playing fields and gardens. The first stage of the entry tower is built of red brick with rendered banding and was constructed in 1911. The tower and wing to the west were built post World War II ,in 1951, to complement the east wing and complete the design. The whole building was re-roofed at this time with red Marseilles pattern terra cotta tiles, with the simple hipped roof extending out over the continuous, two storey verandah either side of the entry. The verandah has a rendered, first floor balustrade and is supported on rendered rectangular full height columns. Together, the roof and verandah unify the building and disguise the different ages of the two wings: Only close inspection of the changes in brickwork , together with the various timber and metal window frames, provide visual clues to the various stages of development. The 1951 entry tower is of three storey proportions, featuring narrow Gothic style windows above the entry arch and castellation to the octagonal spires at each corner of the tower and the parapet between them. Recessed panels with a diaper pattern of crosses in relief cover the sides of the tower and the front parapet is surmounted by a freestanding cross The tower was designed to be the focal point and has an Inter-War Goth ic appearance that dominates the more "functionalist" approach to the remainder of the building, reflecting the stylistic approach that followed WWII. Two and three storey buildings to the east, behind the front wings are flat roofed, concrete framed with brick infill and aluminium windows. A courtyard between these two buildings has in more recent times been opened up to provide a vista through to the Cathedral to the north-east. The most recent buildings are to the south and are of two storey brick construction and more in keeping with the appearance of the adjacent front wings.

History

Assessment 2003 Construction: 1902, 1911. Tower and west wing added 1951 HISTORICAL OVERVIEW B) I 896 the Sisters of the Presentation had four schools in Geraldton a boys school, girls school, infants school and secondary school. However, due to changes in government education policy and the cessation of financial assistance, the sisters needed to consolidate their elforts.2 The old convent building in Geraldton which had been previously used by both the Mercy and Josephite Sisters was scheduled to be resumed for railway expansion and was anyway deemed to be unsatisfactory. Consequently in 1902, work commenced on the present convent building on land granted by the Government. The first stage of a substantial structure designed by Henderson and Jefferies of Perth who had already designed the Bishop's Palace in 1900,3 was opened on I5 'th April, 1903, with the foundation stone having been laid in the previous year by Bishop Kelly, the first Bishop of Geraldton . The new convent was built on a sandhill levelled by Mr. Eddie Byrne using his horse and dray. Not long after the opening of the convent a high school and an elementary school were also constructed. However, it was on the 25•th March, 1911 that the Foundation Stone of the present Stella Maris College was laid by Bishop Kelly. The building contractor was Mr. Pat Ryan and the building was opened in 1912.5 In 1951 the entrance tower of Stella Maris College was completed, and a new wing was constructed to the west of it. In addition work was carried out on the original section of the building, including major changes to the verandahs. The cost of this work (without fittings) was $65,000.6 With the amalgamation of Stella Maris College, (high school for girls) and St. Patrick's College, (high school for boys), into the new co-educational Nagle College, the residential accommodation for students has all been transferred to the former St. Patrick 's campus. (see National Trust (WA) classification document.) HISTORY (continued) ATTACHMENT The Congregation of the Sisters of the Presentation was founded by Nano Nagle in 1775 in Cork, Ireland.7 Following an invitation by Bishop Matthew Gibney, a small group of Presentation Sisters arrived in Geraldton, Western Australia in 189I and took up residence in the former convent used by both the Mercy and Josephite Sisters; a stone building located on the corner of Marine Terrace and Lewis Street. Commencing work in Geraldton almost immediately, the Sisters took over the already established 'Assisted Schools' as well as opening a High School. This School was named "Star of the Sea" later to be called "Stella Maris Presentation College".8 By about 1900, government changes in education, including the cessation of financial assistance and the establishment of free, compulsory and secular State Schools, put pressures on the educational role of the Sisters and forced certain changes. Amongst other things they took on a large educational role elsewhere in the Mid West Region and in other parts of Western Australia, pa1ticularly after the 1900s. On I 61 July, 1941 the Presentation Sisters celebrated the 501 anniversary of the Foundation of the order in Geraldton.9 Following the Battle for Singapore in 1942 boarders were evacuated to Mt. Magnet, leaving only a skeleton staff of Sisters at the College. Gradually as hostilities lessened over the following year the students returned to Geraldton. 10 The second extension to the college consisting of a three storey building which contained facilities for boarders on the top floor and six classrooms on the lower two floors was commenced in 1964. The extension was designed by Mr. W. Marcolina and was built at a cost of $100,000: Mr. Marcolina also designed the four storey Maitland Street wing built in 1970 and then extended in 1980 to a design by architect Mr. Lew Eves. 11 On April 3rd 1990 a new administration block on the campus was opened. 12 In 1969 the two separate congregations of Perth and Geraldton were brought together by the formation of 'The Congregation of the Presentation Sisters of Western Australia". 13 Since it was decided to amalgamate the two colleges; Stella Maris College, (high school for girls) and St. Patrick 's College, (high school for boys), into the new co-educational Nagle College, the residential accommodation for students has all been located at the former St. Patrick's campus and there has been some rationalisation of building use, site planning and new facilities designed by architect Michael Broderick and Partners

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