Trinity Anglican Church, Roebourne, to be interim heritage listing

June 29, 1998

Heritage Minister Graham Kierath has moved to protect the heritage values of Roebourne's historic Holy Trinity Anglican Church, a site of worship for more than 100 years.

The church was built in 1895 to replace an earlier church which had been destroyed in a cyclone.

Mr Kierath said the church, the oldest in the Pilbara district, deserved the protection of the State's heritage laws and would be placed on the Heritage Council of Western Australia's Register of Heritage Places on an interim basis.

"The Holy Trinity Church reflects the continuous presence of the Anglican Church in Roebourne since 1883, when the first church was built on the site," Mr Kierath said.

"It is a Roebourne landmark with a commanding view over the town and surrounding district.

"The church is also linked to many prominent pioneers of the North-West and is highly valued by the local community for its religious and historical associations."

Mr Kierath said Roebourne was the first gazetted town of the North-West when it was proclaimed in August 1866. It acted as the centre for nearly 50 surrounding pastoral leases and the region developed quickly.

In 1878, a public meeting was held in the Cossack Government School to discuss the establishment of a church in the North District. The current site in Hampton Street was set aside.

Construction of the first St John's Anglican Church was completed in 1883.

Mr Kierath said the church bell for St John's came from a sailing ship called the Aberlady, which was wrecked during an 1877 voyage from Hong Kong to New York. The wreck was sold for salvage and the ship's bell became the bell for St John's and later the Holy Trinity Anglican Church.

"St John's was destroyed by a cyclone in January 1894 and a fund was set up to build a new church," Mr Kierath said.

"Many prominent pioneers and businesses of the North-West contributed to the church, including Dalgety and Co., Padbury Loton and Co., and names like Sholl, Sandover, Roe and Cusack.

"The church was designed with stone walls, iron window frames and a concrete floor to protect it against cyclones and white ants.

"It was opened on December 1895 and consecrated by Bishop Riley six months later."

Mr Kierath said there had been a number of additions over the years, including new seats, windows and an apse in 1925.

New furniture replaced the original furnishings in the 1980s and in December 1983 a commemorative service was held to celebrate the centenary of Anglican worship at the site.

Two lead light windows were installed in 1995, the centenary year of the church.

Mr Kierath said the church was maintained regularly and was in a very good condition.

"Although it is now only used occasionally, with most services taking place in the town's Pilbara Aboriginal Church, it is still highly valued by the local community," Mr Kierath said.

"It is a reminder of the pioneering days of the Pilbara region and the history of the Anglican church in the area."

Media contact: Steve Manchee 9481 2133