Building

Statement of Significance

The place has historical significance as the Church of Christ, built 1898. It has social significance to the community as a nightclub since 1983 in Northbridge.

Physical Description

Two storey building with a decorative parapet.

History

The area to the north of Perth (now known as Northbridge) was valued by the Whadjuk Nyoongar for its low lying and swampy lakes system, which provided abundant resources. After colonisation, this land was not settled as quickly as drier areas on the ridge of Perth. In 1854 some of the swampy land to the north of Perth was drained producing fertile land for farming. As the population grew during the convict era of the 1850s the land was subdivided into allotments circa 1860 and taken up by discharged soldiers, artisans and small landholders. The area at this period was characterised by small cottages and businesses. In 1881 the railway from Fremantle to Guildford was opened and became the main transport route. From that period commerce and trade tended to focus on smaller commercial enterprises and manufacturing to the north. It was less fashionable to live north of the railway line, however the area was close to the city and during the 1890s and early 1900s was substantially redeveloped with further subdivision of lots and mixed residential and commercial development. This was an immediate response to the tripling of the State’s population in the recent decade due to the gold boom, and a pressing demand for affordable accommodation. A number of trade and community organisations had their origins in the area at this time. Over the years the population of the area changed as people relocated to suburban areas of the city. As a result, Northbridge became the home for successive migrant communities. for example, communities including Greek, Italian, Chinese and more recently Vietnamese migrants have settled here as property remained relatively cheap and had the advantage of being close to the city. These communities have over the years given this area a distinctive character, generally recycling the existing buildings rather than redeveloping the area. Northbridge, named because it is just north of Perth across the railway bridge, was approved as a suburb name in 1982.The stone church to the rear of the brick building that fronts the street was built in 1898. It was a church for the Church of Christ. The Metropolitan Water Supply Survey plan dated 1949 shows a brick portion with no setback, and a stone section behind (to the west) indicating the brick addition was built before that. The stone church of a more traditional ecclesiastical architecture can be seen from the south side of the building from Lake Street, and from the car park off Aberdeen Street. A hospitality company Entertainment Enterprises bought the property in October 1983, when it was Hannibal’s Nightclub. It was later called Havana’s, The Church, and most recently the Library nightclub. The building was sold in 2017 for $4.8 million to Yusuf Khan, 27, businessman who is the sole director of Perth City Investments Pty Ltd, the company behind the purchase. He bought it with the intention to build a multi-story development in the future. In June 2019, punters of the Library nightclub were lucky to escape without injury after parts of its outside wall collapsed as a party was being held at the busy venue on Saturday night.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low level of integrity. Low level of authenticity.

Condition

Good

Creation Date

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Last Update