Christ Church of WA

Statement of Significance

·         The place has historic value for its association with the development of the town of Kalamunda in which the site has evolved from an industrial function on the edge of the settlement to an inner suburban site for social and spiritual functions ·         The place has social value for its association with the many events held at the place for the Italian community, the youth centre in the 1970s and the Church community who have occupied the place since 1979.

Physical Description

Large structure of brick and iron construction with gabled roof. The rear of the structure is two storeys, taking account of the change in land levels. The entry has a chamfered edge with timber and glazed entrance doors with large square open sided porch entry. The porch canopy is hipped and clad in corrugated metal, supported on timber columns and accessed from the car park via brick steps following the angled shape of the entrance. A further canopy of the same style is located beyond the main entrance. The main body of the church has an extensive verandah to the rear with timber picket balustrade and skillion canopy across the full width. Windows are multi-paned openings.

History

Religion, timber, sport and recreation

Integrity/Authenticity

Level of Integrity - Little; Level of Authenticity - Some

Condition

Good This site is the location of the former Ashmore’s timber mill which opened in 1932. The mill was later used exclusively for the manufacture of timber packing cases until its closure. The owners and workers at the case mill were predominantly Italian, the first owner John Tognella, then taken over by Tony Brescasin. In the late 1950s a group of Italian orchardists and timber milling workers would gather at the old mill premises to play bocce and socialise. This was the origin of the Lesmurdie Club which took over the premises when the milling operation relocated to Pickering Brook. The club members gained a liquor licence in 1963 and continued operating from the premises until 1975 when the club relocated to new purpose built premises in Walliston. In 1975, the premises were acquired by the Shire of Kalamunda and the building was used as a Youth Centre and later converted for use by the Church of Christ who built a new purpose built church in 1979 adjacent. Both buildings underwent major renovations in 1987.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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