St Paul's Anglican Church & Church Hall

Statement of Significance

St Paul’s Anglican Church is of high significance, not only for its cultural purpose as a place of worship, but for the history, aesthetics and quality of the building and its impressive contribution to the Bridgetown streetscape on the southern end of the main street.
Aesthetic Value
Sited on the high eastern side of Hampton Street, the blue granite walls and many arched windows of this Federation Gothic church create a majestic vision of grandeur entering or leaving Bridgetown from the south, making a bold statement of Bridgetown’s historic streetscapes.
Historic Value
Historically, St Paul’s has strong associations to many important figures in the settlement and growth of Bridgetown and surrounding districts.
Research Value
As evidenced in the Conservation Management Plan 2012, the church is a fine example of technical and creative excellence in construction in the early 20th century.Social Value
St Paul’s Church remains to be of high social value. As a church, it is an important gathering place to celebrate new life, marriages and deaths, among other special events of the Faith. Having lovely acoustics, St Pauls Church is also used on occasion for musical performances.
The Church hall is used socially by the Church and other community groups, as well as the front portion being occupied by the Op-Shop, which also has social value to the general community.

Physical Description

St Paul’s Anglican Church is a double height stone building. The Nave is constructed of local granite with Donnybrook stone window detailing and corbels, brick quoining and masonry buttresses. Additions to the original building include the Sanctuary and Vestry to the north (c.1950) and the baptistery on the east side (1961).
When first built, it appears that the Church was designed to have a transept and wing aisles. The walls at the transept side arches were built with what appear to have been “temporary brickwork” with the aim of having the wing aisles built at a later stage. Hence the contrast and deviation in building materials.
The parish hall to the north of the building is of timber frame construction with oiled timber walls. In 2008 a front porch and small office was sympathetically added to the front of the Hall and the tiled roof was replaced with Zincalume.
For additional information refer to St Paul’s Anglican Church & Church Hall Conservation Management Plan (2012)

History

The present building was constructed in 1911 to replace an earlier timber church. The foundation stone was laid in February 1911 and the new church consecrated in August of that year:
“Yesterday Mr. J. Allnutt performed the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of St. Paul's Church, at Bridgetown, an impressive service being conducted by the Bishop of Bunbury, assisted-by the rector of Bridgetown, the Rev. G. H. Devlin and the rector of Greenbushes, the Rev. Mr. Knight. The church will, when completed, be a handsome edifice, built of local stone, faced with Donnybrook stone, and will be capable of housing a congregation of 450. The nave will be 40ft. by 30ft., and the chancel 20ft. by 18ft., with a suitable vestry. The church is of Gothic design, Mr. Steere's plans being selected as the result of a keen competition. The whole design has been arranged so as to secure perfect harmony in colouring effects. Mr. W. Moyes is the contractor. The position of the building is both central and commanding, and when completed it is expected that the church will be one of the handsomest outside the metropolis. Room has been left for further extension, if desired, as provided in the original plans.”
The granite used to construct the church apparently came from the sloping hillside of the northern portion of Lot 100 (7) Mount Street, Allview, quite possibly donated to the church by the owner at the time, Lewis Moulton.
In 1920 a Lychgate and granite retaining wall were built. The Memorial Tablet, Font and window were erected in memory of the members of the parish who died in WWI, unveiled on 11 Nov 1921.
Further additions were made circa 1950s (Sanctuary and Vestry to the north) and 1961 (baptistery on the east side).
For additional information refer to St Paul’s Anglican Church & Church Hall Conservation Management Plan (2012).

Integrity/Authenticity

High Integrity
St Paul’s Anglican Church is still in use for its original religious purposes and has a high level of integrity.
High Authenticity
While there have been alterations and additions at the rear of the Church over the years, and changes to the grounds, the Church itself is substantially intact.

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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.