St Joseph's Church

Statement of Significance

• St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church is a good and modest example of the Inter‐War Gothic style and is a local landmark in the streetscape • This church has historic value for its association with the Catholic community who have made an outstanding contribution to the Busselton region's development. • The construction of this church in 1933 demonstrates the growth of the population and region in the Inter War period, in part as a function of the Group Settlement scheme. • The church has been attended by members of the Busselton community since 1933 for spiritual and socials occasions and contributes to the community’s sense of place

Physical Description

A simple brick stucco and iron church in the Inter‐War Gothic style with its entrance at the eastern end of the nave, an unusual plan form. The windows are in the perpendicular style and the narthex simply treated with a crenulated parapet. St Josephs is cruciform in plan and designed in the neo‐Gothic style, common for ecclesiastical buildings from this period. The new church c1933 consisted of a nave with a large sanctuary and two small sacristies. Two side chapels in transept form were added, and at the eastern end of the nave, a gallery was formed to provide an area for the choir. The interior wall treatment is finished to represent stone, while the nave and the transept ceilings are paneled in jarrah between principals of Oregon to give colour. Externally, the building is finished in cut and struck brickwork, with cement dressings and adorned with two octagonal turrets to the front. An ample portico at the entrance and a supplementary entrance on the north side are completed with a castellated parapet adding further grace and symmetry

History

The church as designed by architect Edgar le B Henderson who took over Cavanagh and Cavanagh’s role as principal architects for the Roman Catholic Church. Berry Brothers built the church and Roman Catholic Archbishop Clune opened it on 3 September 1933. It replaced the original 1866 church which is adjacent and addresses Prince Street. The growth of the region in the Inter War period is consistent with the Group Settlement scheme which saw many new migrants to the district, many of whom had Catholic faith. In 1971 extensive renovations were carried out on St. Joseph’s Church, the first major work undertaken since the church was erected in 1933. The additions and renovations cost $12,000. Alterations to the church included the addition of a new white marble altar and two stained glass windows to the Sanctuary. Plans were prepared by Phil Ryan and Bob Forsythe. Since that time there have not been any major changes or alterations to the church.

Integrity/Authenticity

The place retains a high degree of integrity. In 1971 extensive renovations were carried out on St. Joseph’s Church, the first major work undertaken since the church was erected in 1933. The additions and renovations cost $12,000. Alterations to the church included the addition of a new white marble altar and two stained glass windows to the Sanctuary. Plans were drawn up by Mr Phil Ryan and Mr Bob Forsythe. The place retains a high degree of authenticity.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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