St Paul's Catholic Church

Statement of Significance

St Paul’s Catholic Church has spiritual and social significance for the Shire of Roebourne community. The setting against the backdrop of the Karratha hills and high spire contribute to aesthetic values of Karratha and make it a landmark building within the townscape. It is associated with the settlement and growth of Karratha as a town providing a place for Catholic worship.

Physical Description

The building has an octagonal plan and is a landmark within Karratha because it has a 37 metre high copper coated spire with a cross on top. There are 24 coloured glass windows at the base of the spire which provide natural light to the main church area. The building has a seating capacity of 280 people. There is a meeting room, a reading room and a sacristy.

History

The Catholic Church has had a long association with the North west; a Catholic priest visited Cossack in 1878 for a three months tending to Catholic families and the ‘natives’. The first recorded Catholic Church was in Cossack in 1897, prior to the Diocese of Geraldton being formed in 1898. Bishop Kelly established a Catholic convent school in Roebourne with Mother Joseph and Presentation Sisters in 1902.

In 1968 Port Hedland and Wittenoom were the only Catholic parishes in the Pilbara. In 1969 a Catholic church was constructed in Dampier, and another
was constructed in Pannawonica in 1973 and then in Wickham in 1977. Karratha was one of the last major Pilbara towns to have a Catholic church constructed; the Catholic church was constructed here in 1982.

Previous to this St Paul’s Parish Church was opened in 1978. St Paul’s Catholic Church was officially opened on the 8 December 1982 by Bishop Foley, Geraldton Diocesan Bishop. However, the church building was not completely
finished at this time, as the massive spire had not yet been lifted into position. Hamersley Iron assisted with this task by providing a mobile crane and crew and as such the church was completed in time for Christmas, with the spire being lifted into position on the 21 December 1982. The addition of the spire made the church the tallest building in the town at the time.

Prior to the construction of the church building, services were held in the hall that
adjoins the presbytery. When the church was finished this hall was converted back to a pre-school.

Archaeology

There is little potential for archaeology at this site.

Integrity/Authenticity

Original

Condition

Good

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.