Local Government
Busselton
Region
South West
Location
39 Peel Tce Busselton
Location Details
Cnr Queen St & Peel Tce
Other Name(s)
Hall site
includes: Church, Graveyard, Rectory &
Construction Date
Constructed from 1984, Constructed from 1924, Constructed from 1902, Constructed from 1845, Constructed from 1844
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage List | YES | 13 Aug 2014 | ||
| State Register | Registered | 07 Feb 1997 |
Register Entry Assessment Documentation |
Heritage Council |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Description | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 20 Jun 1996 | Category 1 |
Category 1 |
|
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 13 Aug 2014 | Category 1 |
Category 1 |
|
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 07 Aug 1961 |
|
Heritage Council | |
| Register of the National Estate | Permanent | 28 Sep 1982 |
|
Heritage Council | |
Statement of Significance
St Mary’s Anglican Church and Graveyard, a Victorian Gothic Revival style church
constructed in stone with a shingled roof, and graveyard with historic grave
markers, has cultural heritage significance as one of the oldest graveyards in the
state and a place associated with the founding of Busselton. The place has links
with the founding families in the region, including the Bussells and the Molloys
who helped to raise funds for its construction and participated in its construction.
The place has high aesthetic value as a picturesque Gothic church in a pleasant
setting alongside the Vasse River. The cemetery contains much information on
prominent early local families who attended services there and were buried in
the graveyard. The place remains significant as a place of worship and
contributes to the community’s sense of place.
Physical Description
A stone and shingle roofed church in the Victorian Gothic style in a graveyard
setting.
St Mary’s Anglican Church is a Victorian Romanesque style building in the Norman
manner, constructed in limestone with a shingled roof. The place is set in a
graveyard where many of the early families of Busselton buried their dead. The
grounds are grassed and a number of peppermint trees provide shady and green
setting that is further enhanced by the presence of the Vasse River.
It has an auditory plan, and sanctuary, entrance porch and vestry and belltower.
The walls are constructed of local limestone and the nave is three bays long, and
the bays are articulated with pilasters and round head windows with label
moulds. There are stained glass windows. The floors are of timber. External
walls have been partly rendered over as a repair strategy.
History
St Mary’s Anglican Church opened in 1845 by early settlers of the Vasse district.
Following early settlement in the 1830s, the need for a church was mooted in
1841. The initial financing of the project was raised from friends and relatives
including the Bussell, Carter and Bowker families and by 1843 work had
commenced. The trustees were John Bussell, John Molloy and Henry Chapman.
Mr. F. Brabazon Forsayth prepared plans. Mrs. Frances Bussell laid the
foundation stone in March 1844. The construction was a community effort with
free contributions by men like George Blechynden, the district carpenter.
Although incomplete, the church opened in April 1845 and at that time had a
beaten earth floor. It was named St. Mary’s after a church of the same name in
Portsea, England, where William Bussell had been curate. The place was finally
completed in 1848 and a harmonium installed in 1859.A bell and bell tower were
added in 1902 and a vestry added in 1906, and finally the porch in 1924. Major repairs were undertaken in the 1950s and in the 1970s plain glass windows were
replaced with stained glass donated by descendants of the pioneering families.
The shingles were placed with aluminium tiles and in 1982 these were removed
and replaced during conservation works in 1989 programme.
Integrity/Authenticity
The place remains in use as intended, though burials in the graveyard have long
since ceased. The place retains a high degree of integrity.
The place was made in stages and there is authentic material relating to all
stages. Overall the place retains a moderate to high degree of authenticity.
Condition
Generally the church is in fair to good condition, but many of the gravestones are deteriorating and require conservation.
Associations
| Name | Type | Year From | Year To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. F Brabazon Forsayth | Architect | - | - |
References
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage Council heritage assessment | 1997 |
Other Reference Numbers
| Ref Number | Description |
|---|---|
| 526003 | Landgate Pin |
| 51 | Reference No. |
State Heritage Office library entries
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10138 | S.A. Mounted Constable John Brabazon Forsayth (c.1882 - 1852). Gentleman architect shot dead in an affray with a snake. | Electronic | 0 |