Holy Trinity Anglican Church

Statement of Significance

• The place has historic value for its association with the establishment and development of the town of Cookernup in the early 20th century.
• The place has social value for the local community as the location of important events since 1908.
• The place is representative of a simple church of timber construction built to serve small regional communities.

Physical Description

Simple single storey timber framed and stumped structure with weatherboard cladding and gabled corrugated iron roof. A fibre cement clad lean-to entrance porch has been added to the rear (west end) of the building. Four timber framed windows provide light into the church, two each on the north and south elevations. The windows comprise of a four-pane casement opening with a further four-pane hopper opening above. A single timber door is positioned in the north-east corner of the east elevation. Two timber crosses are positioned at the ridge point of each gable and vented louvers have been inserted into both gable apexes.

Prior to the construction of the entry porch, double-doors in the east elevation provided access into the church. The entry porch also serves as a vestry. Brick and concrete steps lead into the porch with access through double timber ledged doors.

Internally the church is predominantly open plan. The vestry/entrance porch leads through into the main church space. The simple church incorporates a raised jarrah altar platform at the eastern end together with timber altar rail. The flooring throughout the church is jarrah and the walls and ceilings are lined with fibre boards. Simple pendant lighting has been installed in the ceilings.

The church is in fair condition. The gutters around the main church building need clearing and possibly replacing. The iron roof appears to be in a watertight condition but the red painted finish is fading and becoming patchy in appearance. There are loose timbers on the roof of the addition. The window frames and doors require repainting. A closer inspection of the stumps is recommended. Internally the flooring appears in sound condition. The walls and ceilings require repainting.

History

The townsite of Cookernup was gazetted in August 1894 and the town derives its name from a farm established nearby by Joseph Logue in the early 1850's. Also known as ‘Kokonup’ for many years the name means either ‘place of the swamp yam’ or ‘place of the swamp hen’ as two origins have been put forward for the name, either ‘koka’ the swamp yam or ‘cooki’ the swamp hen.

The town developed rapidly in the late 1890s with the escalation of timber milling in the area and many services were constructed in the town including a post office, school, railway station and hall. At the turn of the century the township and surrounding area had a population of 300.

The Anglican Holy Trinity Church was built in the latter part of 1907 and opened on February 2nd 1908. The Bishop of Bunbury, Rt Rev Frederick Goldsmith, dedicated the church on the opening day and it was noted in the press that the ‘sacred building was crowded with a very attentive congregation and the service was heartily joined in by all’.
The first minister of the district was Rev H. H. Glover. An altar was placed in the church in memory of the Rev T.J. Jackson and Bishop Goldsmith dedicated this on 20th February 1912. A Credence Table was also installed at that time. Parishioners gave two brass vases which were dedicated on Easter Day 1912. Later that year a new organ, costing £16, was placed in the church. In 1931, the Rector donated two candlesticks.
A porch was added in 1913, renewed in 1952 and replaced in 1963 by a larger one in asbestos. In 1959 new Altar Rails were installed and the church was relined in asbestos. The church was rededicated in June that year after the restoration work was completed. In 1964, a Chalice and Paten were donated in memory of Alice Minnie Bowles (died 6/5/1964).

As the only church in the town, Holy Trinity Church has been used by families in the district since its construction for significant events including baptisms, weddings and funerals. The church population has declined in recent years and the Diocese of Bunbury closed the church for services in approximately 1990. In 1996, the furnishings were removed to St Paul’s Church in Harvey and the building was used for a while as a Youth club.

Integrity/Authenticity

High/ High

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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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.