St Thomas More College Chapel, St Thomas More College

Author

Heritage Council

Place Number

13023

Location

University of WA, Mounts Bay Rd Crawley

Location Details

Local Government

Perth

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1955

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
RHP - To be assessed Current 23 Mar 2018

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Catholic Church Inventory Completed 01 Jul 1998

Values

The place is a landmark on Mounts Bay Road, located approximately at the intersection of Mounts Bay Road and Hackett Drive.

The place has associations with the establishment of residential colleges associated with the development of the UWA Campus at Crawley in the late 1920s.

The place is an example of the post World War Two work of architect Edgar Le. B. Henderson.

Physical Description

The place is a double volume building of pale brick construction with a gable roof. The front elevation (facing Mounts Bay Road) features a vertical stained glad window that almost runs the entire height of the building. The eastern elevation features rendered concrete window walling with stained glass windows within.

History

The University of Western Australia was established in 1913 under the auspices of the University Act of 1911. Due to the impact of World War One, its initial development was slow, dramatically increasing in the 1920s and 1930s. It was during this time that Crawley was chosen as the permanent site for the University and, in the 1920s, the move from the temporary buildings at Irwin Street to the new campus began. This relocation was complete in 1932. In 1923 a committee was appointed to investigate and report on the establishment of residential colleges at the new campus. In this year St John’s University Hostel made an application for the construction of a college, and by 1925 so had the Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregationalist Churches as well as the Young Women’s Christian Association. The University Colleges Act of 1926 allowed for an allocation of approx. 5 acres to each applicant, including the Roman Catholic Church, which formally applied for and was granted the land in 1933. Building construction was delayed due to lack of funds, which meant that the Church’s application had to be renewed in 1944. Originally known as Newman College, the college was renamed St Thomas Moore College in 1952. Stage 1 of the building campaign was opened in 1955. The architect responsible for the work was Edgar Le B. Henderson. It is thought that the chapel formed part of the first building campaign.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity- High Authenticity- Moderate

Condition

sound, some cracking to tower evident

Associations

Name Type Year From Year To
Edgar Le B Henderson Architect 1955 -

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Present Use RELIGIOUS Church, Cathedral or Chapel
Original Use RELIGIOUS Church, Cathedral or Chapel

Architectural Styles

Style
Post-War Ecclesiastical

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Roof TILE Ceramic Tile
Wall BRICK Common Brick

Historic Themes

General Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES Religion

Creation Date

18 Dec 1998

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

04 May 2022

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.