Carmelite Monastery

Statement of Significance

The Carmelite Monastery has aesthetic, social and historic cultural heritage significance. Since its inception in 1935 it has held a strong place in the history of religious institutions in the City of Nedlands. The Chapel, built in 1937, by Horace Costello, provides a place of contemplation and worship for the public. One of a number of similar monasteries throughout the world, the Carmelite community, is nevertheless quite unique for Western Australia.

Physical Description

The Monastery occupies the entire block surrounded by Adelma Road, Hotchin Street, Sutcliffe Street and Gallop Road. The perimeter is walled with limestone, some random, some coursed. The entrance to the property is on the west. The entrance gates are iron, set in a bay of red face brickwork with stepped rendered coping around a stepped semicircular arched opening. The Chapel and entrance to the Monastery is accessible to the public, the remaining site is walled from view. A Toodyay stone grotto is located in the north west corner of the courtyard and a garage is recessed behind the south building. The roof of the building is constructed from marseilles pattern, dark/medium blend terracotta tiles. The founding structures have round arch headed Gothic windows with precast pressed cement inserts and leadlight glazing. The rose window in the west wall of the Chapel matches. The Chapel and adjoining single storey buildings are in the interwar Gothic design style. The later two-storey wing On the south side of the complex is also red brick and appears post war in design style with white pressed cement, precast screens and aluminium framed sliding windows. The addition is of non-descript style. There is a brown painted timber roof monitor on the rear, two-storey section. The Chapel was designed and built by Horace Costello, a local designer/builder, who lived in Birdwood Parade, Nedlands.

History

The Nuns of the Carmelite Monastery in Nedlands were enclosed on the Feast of the Holy Trinity in June 1935. A contemplative life is led by the Sisters. A considerable amount of their time (at least 5Y2 hours) is devoted to divine services, meditation and pious exercises. The remainder of the day is spent on household work and producing altar bread for a large percentage of churches in WA. The production of altar bread is vital for the Order's existence as it is their main source of income. The Order of Women as it exists today dates back to August 1562 when St Teresa of Jesus established a convent for 13 nuns at Avila in Spain. It spread rapidly and in 15 years 17 convents for nuns were established. In 1604 a monastery was founded in Paris and from there the Order spread around the world. In Australia there are monasteries in Varroville, NSW; Ormiston, Qld; Adelaide, SA; and in WA, Bunbury and Perth. In 1935there was some controversy over a request by the Carmelite Order to build a chapel for public use. At first the Nedlands Road Board refused the request but this decision was later reversed. In 1937 a chapel designed and built by local man, Horace Costello, was opened to the public (though weddings and funerals are not performed there). The nuns had a special enclosed section built close to the altar that keeps them from public view As the Carmelites are an enclosed order the nuns do not go outside the Monastery except for medical needs. They do not listen to radio or watch television except in exceptional circumstances. However, they do read newspapers and visitors may come to the Monastery once a month as a general rule. Contact is also often by telephone as people ring asking for thoughts and prayers. Today (1998) there are J 5 nuns living in the Monastery. There is one surviving nun of the original group that arrived in 1935 from Sydney. She is highly thought of within the monastery for her wisdom and longevity

Integrity/Authenticity

Condition: Good Integrity: High

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update