Congregational Church Hall

Statement of Significance

The building has a high degree of historic and social significance for the local and wider community. The place is a rare surviving example of a small semi-rural community church/hall constructed of timber and corrugated iron. It is historically significant by virtue of its role in the development of the area and the State, and its association with the district pioneers and the early local Christian community. The place has social significance because of its long- standing function as a meeting place and centre of social interaction and religious worship for the local, largely orchardist, community. The building is representative of a genre of rural and semi-rural churches of which only a few remain extant and which represent a way of life that has largely disappeared and evidence of which is gradually being eroded. The place has unusual landmark value and together with the adjacent later church buildings, scout hall and theatre, potentially constitutes the basis of a significant historic precinct. Aesthetic Value The place is a good example of a basic community-built church and community hall in a semi-rural setting and is significant in exhibiting primitive aesthetic characteristics valued by the local and wider community. The building is valued by the local community for its unusual landmark quality, which because of its prominent location near the intersection of major roads is also appreciated by visitors, tourists and passing travellers. The utilitarian nature of the building and its basic design set it apart from the other local structures, but collectively the adjacent and nearby buildings potentially create an important historic precinct. Historic Value The place is significant in the pattern of the history of Western Australia, representing the ministry of the Christian Church to the local community since the early part of the twentieth century. The place is important for its association with a number of pioneers of the district and the activities and work of the Congregational and subsequently Uniting Church, which has been significant within the history of the region. Social Value The place is significant through its association with the local community over a lengthy period of time (since 1912) as a place of social interaction, meetings and worship. The building is important in contributing to the community’s sense of place. Rarity and Representativeness The building is an unusual surviving example in Western Australia of a small church building in timber and iron, and demonstrates increasingly rare aspects of the cultural heritage of the State. The building is representative of a genre of rural and semi-rural churches of which only a few remain extant and which represent a way of life that has largely disappeared and evidence of which is gradually being eroded. Condition, Integrity & Authenticity The building is still in active use, well maintained and in good condition. The long term viability of the place is considered good, as long as maintenance is continued, and the fabric of the building is in its original state, giving it a high level of integrity and authenticity.

Physical Description

Situated in a prominent position on the south side of Croyden Road at the junction with Brookton Highway, the hall and adjacent church forms an unusual and distinctive landmark at the commencement of the access road to Araluen. The buildings are set well back from the road junction and are surrounded by a small cleared, relatively level enclosure within attractive natural bushland overlooking the Canning valley. Built in 1913 in a very simple manner that is virtually free of any stylistic pretensions, the small original church hall is an increasingly rare example of an early pioneering building constructed of jarrah framework on timber stumps with weatherboard surfaced walls and a simple gable roof of corrugated iron. A small lean-to room at the rear (originally added as a vestry in 1952) is connected to the hall but is also approached externally by jarrah steps. The hall has two double- hung timber windows on each side and the extension has a four panel glass louvred window in aluminium framing. Internally, the church has white fibre cement sheet walls above a vertical boarded timber dado on all sides. The mansard style ceiling is pierced by metal tie-rod roof trusses. The floor is of Jarrah boards.

History

Assessment 2004 Construction 1913 Additions/Alterations1952 Until this building was constructed using local volunteer labour from members of the community and materials supplied by one of its members, a committed group of local Christians were meeting regularly for church services in private houses in the district.i On 1st March 1912 a grant of 16 acres of land overlooking the Canning Valley was made to them by Mrs Peet, of the prominent Real Estate Agency, Peet & Co., (responsible for much of the development of the Darling Range Hills areas as well as many of the suburbs of Perth,) and after whom the nearby Peet Road is named. The land, originally Canning Location 32 Lot 154 on Plan 3304, was granted to the local group to be used as a glebe in order that a church or church hall could be erected as a meeting place for the group. The land was also designated as being for church recreational purposes and as a picnic site for the Peet family. On receiving this generous gift of land a building committee was immediately formed from the group of earnest Congregationalist Christians in the area, (including Mr. R. Knuckey, still living nearby at the time of the church diamond jubilee in 1973). It was decided to build a church hall, and subscriptions were obtained from various sources. The small building that still stands today was constructed for a total cost of around £200 and the first church service in the new hall was held on February 9th 1913, the speaker being the Rev. G. Potts. Although used for services of Christian worship, the building was referred to as a church hall from the earliest period and was widely used by the general community as there was no other public hall in Roleystone. The hall was hired out for various social purposes and functions such as youth group recreational activities, parties and dances. Over the years the people of the district have many fond memories of Sunday School picnics, teas and outings as well as the fellowship the church has provided for Missionaries, Teachers and leading citizens of the area. During World War II and for a period afterward, (up to June 1956), the building was rented to the Education Department for use as a school. A Memorandum of Agreement dated 17th September 1953 granted the Education Dept a weekly tenancy of “all that building and premises known as The Roleystone Congregational Church together with the appurtenances usually occupied therewith for school purposes......at a rental of One Pound Five Shillings weekly.” Subsequently a purpose designed school building was constructed on the land about two hundred yards east of the church; this is now used as a Scout Hall. Around 1952 a holiday camp site on the land was proposed by the Rev. O. Bryant and other Congregational Union members and the site of the camp buildings was selected to the south-east of the hall. This building has since been demolished In 1974, after transfer of land title back to the community, a new church and hall building was erected alongside the old church hall and the original building was then mainly used as a meeting place and play group centre. The church, now known as Roleystone Community Church, is the only Nonconformist church in the district and its members include Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Church of Christ, Salvation Army and People’s Church as well as Congregational. The church has maintained an unbroken record of regular Sunday services of worship. On receipt of the gift of land from Mrs Peet, a building committee was formed from the group of earnest Congregationalist Christians in the area, (including Mr. R. Knuckey who was still living nearby at the time of the church diamond jubilee in 1973). It was decided to build a church hall on the land so generously donated, and subscriptions were obtained from various sources. (Trinity Church in Perth contributed £10.00). The church hall was constructed for a total cost of around £200, and the first service in the new hall was held on February 9th 1913, the speaker being the Rev. G. Potts. On March 10th 1913 the first deacons were elected, (Messrs. F. Hawkins, H. Cross, G. Harber, H. T. Buckingham, J. E. Parker and A. E. Reid), Mr. G. Harber being designated secretary and Mr. A. E. Reid treasurer. The pastor was then the Rev. G. P. Bray who had succeeded the original pastor, the Rev. Chapman. The title to the land was originally held in trust by the Congregational Union and Home Mission, as the local Congregational Church was not a constituted body and was therefore unable to hold title. In 1912-13 the local congregation immediately used this opportunity to build the church building that still stands today. When the church eventually became constituted in 1968 the deacons did not immediately pursue the matter of title but around 1970 requested that title be returned to the local church body from the Uniting Church establishment which had taken over the title. After much negotiation the Roleystone Congregational Church was granted the freehold of the acre on which the church now stands in 1973. In 1977 a further parcel of land on which the Scout Hall stands, extending to the corner of Brookton Highway and Thompson Road was transferred to the Roleystone church while the major part of the original grant extending to Thompson Rd. and the Canning River was retained by the Uniting Church. From the earliest period of use, the building was referred to as a church hall and it was widely used by the general community as there was no other public hall in Roleystone. The hall was hired out for various social purposes and functions such as youth group recreational activities, parties and dances. Conditions imposed on hiring included; “That on no account shall any intoxicating liquor be brought into this hall or upon the church grounds – also that gambling will not be permitted. When the hall is hired for Saturday nights the lights must be out by 12 o’clock.” Over the years the people of the district have acquired many fond memories of Sunday School picnics, teas and outings as well as the fellowship the church has provided for Missionaries, Teachers and leading citizens of the area. During the 1914-18 war it was difficult to maintain the services and only with the support of a faithful few and by reducing services to one a fortnight was corporate worship maintained. Shortly after the completion of the church, (May 1913) the congregation secretary was approached by the Education Department of WA wishing to acquire part of the land for the purpose of establishing a school. The department was informed that “the idea of selling any part of the land was entirely foreign to his (Mr Peet’s) idea and desire.” and “….he would not like to see the Block as it stands alienated in any way.”iii And again, “the donor stipulated that the land must remain a denominational asset for all time.”iv The Education Department appears to have continued to make approaches to the title-holders and in 1919 was again informed that “the conditions under which the land was given prevent the Executive from either selling or donating a portion thereof.”v The church hall building was subsequently rented to the Education Department for use as a school during World War II and for a period afterward, (up to June 1956). A Memorandum of Agreement dated 17th September 1953 granted the Education Dept a weekly tenancy of “all that building and premises known as The Roleystone Congregational Church together with the appurtenances usually occupied therewith for school purposes.... ..at a rental of One Pound Five Shillings weekly.” At a later date a purpose designed school building was constructed on the land about two hundred yards east of the church; this is now used as a Scout Hall. A significant feature of the early records is the frequent reference to the work of the Ladies’ Guild, subsequently the Ladies Fellowship. These stalwarts attended to the provision, care and maintenance of the inside fabric of the church and the supply of various items for church use. From the 1930s onward these included Mesdames Winstanley, Hobart, H. Buckingham, H. Cross and Mrs Croasdale, affectionately known as ‘Aunt Pollie’, who also worked for the children and the community generally. The Buckinghams and the Knuckeys are prominent local pioneering families whose names are perpetuated throughout the district and both were actively associated with the establishment and on-going work of the church. In the period between the wars another family who were very prominent in church work were the Law-Davis family. Having obtained a second-hand, but hardly used cabinet organ around the time of the completion of the building, the church was fortunate to have the services of a series of talented organists. Among others were; Miss Mary Parker, Mrs Knuckey, Mr. A. Bettenay, Mr. Reid, Mrs. Hawkins, Miss M. Law-Davies, Mrs P. Pritchard and Miss Mary Bullen. In 1969 the church became the proud possessor of an electronic organ. In 1952 the back room of the church hall was added, provided by the Congregational Youth Fellowship. In 1965 the church became part of the combined Congregational pastorate of Armadale, Kelmscott, Roleystone under the Rev. G. Locke, and a District Committee representing the three churches dealt with matters affecting the churches jointly. At this time average adult attendance was 21. At times over the years attendance at service was only three or four, but this was only temporary and the present membership is quite healthy. In 1966 the first and only life membership of the diaconate was bestowed on Mr. and Mrs. D. Gwynne for faithful service to the church over many years. Activities of the church in 1973 included Sunday School, Christian Endeavour Groups, two Sunday services, visitations by deacons to homes in the area, prayer and Bible study meetings weekly, missionary support, Ladies’ Fellowship, and Outreach to Karnet Rehabilitation Centre where service and counselling were given twice monthly. The church had become interdenominational and evangelical and was served by outside speakers in the absence of a Minister. The church also provided accommodation free of charge to a Play School Group and a young married women’s group. As mentioned, accommodation was also provided for many years to the Education Department pending erection of a more permanent school in Roleystone. In 1974 a new church and hall building was erected alongside the old church hall and the original building was then mainly used as a play group centre. The following, in approximately chronological order, have served the church as pastors: Rev. Chapman, Rev. G. P. Bray, Mr. J. Serls, Rev. J. Beukers, Mr. Seddon, Rev. F. G. Smith (1919), Rev. Loose, Rev. Saunders, Rev. Morris, Rev. Shepherd, Rev. O. Bryant, Rev. Sullivan, Rev. Pretty, Rev. C. Jones, Rev. E. Watts, Rev. G. Locke, Rev. R. Chewter. Current pastor is John Spencer.

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