Uniting Church, Broome

Statement of Significance

This building is an architectural/technical accomplishment. Every aspect of its design, such as the rolling and folding doors, the double high pitched roof, the wide verandahs and the opening clerestory, were especially designed to cope with the intense northern heat of Broome. In the cyclone season the building could be closed up like a box and little damage was possible. These functional features have been incorporated in a building of balance and charm.

The building certainly demonstrates life, custom and function as a well designed, tropical church and a public meeting place. For years it was the only public hall in Broome.

The building is of historic importance, as a memorial to Rev. Frank Brady, whose death was of such significance to the town that the church was built by public subscription. It is also the only pre-war Australian Inland Mission church building in the Kimberley.

The building adds to Broome's historic townscape. It is included in many town publications and artistic works, such as the film "Flight into Hell".

The scarcity value of this building is clearly demonstrable. There would be few church buildings extant of a tropical design of the early twentieth century.

Physical Description

The building is timber framed with asbestos sheet cladding. The major part of side walls consist of large wooden doors which roll back onto metal tracks to create wide openings onto the verandahs, and thus allow the breeze in. The front wall consisted of two folding wooden doors, until this was fixed and a double door was inserted as a front door.

There are wide wooden verandahs on three sides of the building. The roof is of iron, built in two sections divided by a clerestory. The high pitched main roof finishes at the clerestory and the second roof covers the verandahs.

The clerestory itself consists of metal clad, horizontally pivoting windows on the four sides of the building which allow the hot air to rise and escape at ceiling level, drawing cooler air in at the bottom, creating upward convection currents.

History

The building was never built as a residence, but as a church and memorial to Rev. Frank Brady in 1925. Brady ministered to the Kimberley from 1913-17, and again in 1925.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.