Anglican Church of the Annunciation

Statement of Significance

Church of Annunciation is of considerable significance for the continuous associations with the Anglican Church since 1903. Church of Annunciation makes a considerable contribution to the streetscape, character and townscape of Broome, and the bell tower is a landmark. Church of the Annunciation is of considerable significance for the continuous associations with the Anglican Church since 1903. Church of the Annunciation makes a considerable contribution to the historic character of Broome, and the bell tower is a landmark.

Physical Description

The single storey timber framed corrugated iron clad building has a front verandah. The gable roof is clad with corrugated iron. Raised from the ground on concrete stumps. The frontage is symmetrical with central double doors and a central gable feature on the hipped verandah roof. Bell tower is a detached structure at the rear, and the rectory is immediately adjacent on the north side.

History

Prior to 1902, Broome had occasional Anglican services from Roebourne parish. The Church was opened on Easter Day, 12 April 1903 and consecrated by Bishop Riley on 12 June. Broome was the seat of the North West Diocese from 1910 to 1964, and the Church of the Annunciation was, by default, the Pro-Cathedral. Bishop Gerard Trower (1910-1927) and Bishop John Frewer (1929-1964) both resided in Broome. They occupied the Bishop’s Palace on the corner of Hamersley and Anne streets (demolished 1980 and replaced with flats). Bishop Frewer was also parish rector for Broome for most of his tenure, due to the difficulty of recruiting rectors for the district and the financial difficulty of paying them. In 1965, owing to Broome’s declining population, the headquarters of the diocese was relocated to Geraldton and the Church was attached to the Derby parish. The Derby rector travelled to Broome twice a month to conduct services. In 1973, the high French doors on each side of the Church were removed and replaced with hopper windows and repairs were made to walls, roof and ceiling in 1976. The belfry was restored in 1985 with funds from the WA Heritage Committee. In 1984, with Broome’s population increasing, a new Rectory was acquired and resident minister installed. Various stained glass windows have been donated over the years, including: Clarke Hall, 1912, behind the altar; Eleanor Padbury, 1991, right of the altar; and, Betty Frost and family, 1996, the eight arch windows on the north side. A chancel screen in memory of those who died in the 1908 cyclone, and a cedar font with mother of pearl inscription ‘this font was the gift of the children of Broome 1912’, are two other features of the place.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree High degree

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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