St Andrew's Church

Statement of Significance

The place is historically important as the principal place of worship of the Presbyterian congregation in Perth and was the focus of Presbyterian activity in Perth for much of the twentieth century.
The place contributes to the streetscape of St. Georges Terrace as the south-eastern extension of the Central Government Precinct and is a minor landmark within the precinct.
The site of the place is of historical significance as the former location of the cottage of Dr. Collie, the Colonial Surgeon, which was demolished to build the church.
The place is a fine example of the work of the architect James Hine.

Physical Description

A design characterised throughout by unusual proportions, land mark tower and spire with turrets and steeply pitched gable roof.

History

This is the earliest Presbyterian Church in Perth. It was designed in late Gothic Revival style. The building contributes greatly to a precinct of Victorian buildings of the Colonial establishment era in Perth. In 1915, in celebration of the successful founding of the only Presbyterian school for girls Presbyterian Ladies College, the Founders planted an acorn which has, over the past 100 years, grown into a small oak tree. The tree was planted by significant people to Perth’s educational, institutional and religious history, including the Moderator and elders of the Presbyterian Church. With Australia at war, and halfway through the disastrous Gallipoli campaign, it was an unusual time to start a school. This can be explained by the fact that Rev Dods, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in WA, could send his two sons to Scotch College but there was no Presbyterian counterpart to which he could send his daughter, Christina (12 in 1915). With a plan to buy Ormiston College from the Wilson sisters who established it in 1907, he gathered a group of Church elders, Presbyterian ministers, leading businessmen and Scotch College’s headmaster and Chair of Council, and on 19 August 1915, in the vestry at St Andrew’s, they formally made the decision to establish a Presbyterian school for girls.
The Government House botanist has determined that the tree is descended from those growing in Government House gardens or otherwise is one of the original accords brought to WA by the WA’s first government botanist, James Drummond in 1829.

Integrity/Authenticity

High level of integrity.
High level of authenticity.

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.