Published
21 February 2014
Ministers
Anglican heritage in Nedlands recognised
A rare Art Deco church that has provided a place of worship for the Anglican parish of Nedlands since 1937 has been listed in the State Register of Heritage Places.
St Margaret's Anglican Church included in State Register of Heritage Places
Rare Art Deco church is fourth Inter-War Art Deco church to be listed
A rare Art Deco church that has provided a place of worship for the Anglican parish of Nedlands since 1937 has been listed in the State Register of Heritage Places.
St Margaret's Anglican Church, in Tyrell Street, is only the fourth Inter-War Art Deco church in Western Australia to be recognised through its inclusion in the State register.
Heritage Minister Albert Jacob said the church, designed by renowned Western Australian architect William Bennett, had high cultural and heritage values and was a worthy addition to the register.
"Bennett's decorative design for St Margaret's was directly influenced by the then Archbishop of Perth, Henry Le Fanu, who believed that God should be worshipped in beauty and therefore in beautifully designed churches," Mr Jacob said.
"St Margaret's displays many of the classic elements of the Art Deco style including bold geometric shapes, vertical fins and a stepped skyline. The two-storey church also includes Gothic elements, particularly in the decorative window tracery."
The three other Inter-War Art Deco churches recognised through their inclusion in the State Register of Heritage Places are the landmark St Mary's Anglican Church in South Perth (1931); the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Perth (1939); and Our Lady of Montserrat, Southern Cross (1936).
"Art Deco emerged in the 1920s and 1930s as a response to rapid industrialisation, and the imposing design of these four churches would have been a radical departure from the more traditional style of churches that most West Australians were used to at the time," the Minister said.
"St Margaret's was also testament to the importance of the Anglican faith to the history and development of Nedlands."
Fact File
More than 1,350 places listed in State Register of Heritage Places
Photos of St Margaret's Anglican Church attached
More information at http://www.stateheritage.wa.gov.au
Minister's office - 6552 5800
St Margaret's Anglican church
