St Christopher's Anglican Church

Statement of Significance

The church has aesthetic value as a good intact example of the post war International style executed in brick that is set within its original landscaped setting.

St Christopher's Anglican Church complex of buildings are a landmark in the streetscape for their continuity of presence in the community since the development of the suburb on this elevated site.

The church has historic value for its association with the establishment and development of City Beach in the 1960s.

The place has historic value for its association with the provision of services to the Anglican and wider community since 1967.

The place has social value for the members of the City Beach and wider community who have attended the place for social and religious events since 1967.

Physical Description

St Christopher’s Anglican Church is set back from Templetonia Crescent, on top of a grassy embankment and partially obscured from clear view by a brick wall and trees. Due to the layout of the area, the church has an angled relationship with Templetonia Crescent.

The building is single storey to the principal façade and is of brick construction painted white. The entrance is set behind a small section of covered driveway. The presentation is simple, reflective of the era of development and contains sections of blank brick walls. The butterfly roof of the south west corner makes a feature element of the building.

The Tamala Road elevation is elevated, built on brick retaining with a dog leg staircase to the entrance doors. The main section of elevation is a rendered blank wall enlivened only the Church signage and flanked by recessed windows. The roof to the main section of the building is a shallow pitch gable roof, with skillion canopies to Templetonia Crescent elevation and to the rear.

The church is positioned to the rear of lawned gardens with flower beds, shrubbery and trees. Vehicular access to the front entrance is via an informal grassed driveway accessed from Yalgun Road with the main access from the car park to Tamala Road.

History

City Beach underwent significant development in the early 1960s following subdivision of the area for residential occupation. The 1962 Empire, or Commonwealth, Games in Perth and the main stadium at Perry Lakes was a major influence on the development of the area.

This area of City Beach was subdivided for residential development in 1958. Aerial photographs indicate there was little development in the vicinity until the intense building of the early 1960s. The Anglican Church built the first stage of this church c1967 and it has been extended and developed in several programs of work since then. The architect and builder of the church buildings have not been determined in this research.

The driving force of the establishment of the new church in City Beach is understood to be Canon Jack Watts who joined the Anglican parish of Wembley in 1952. He oversaw the construction of the new St Edmunds Church in Wembley and established St Nicholas Church in Floreat as well as St Christopher's Church in City Beach.

The rectory was built in 2003. A garden of remembrance was established in 1985 and consecrated by the Assistant Bishop of Perth, M. B. Challen.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High
Authenticity: High

Condition

Good

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.