St George's Cathedral

Child Places

• 13758 Soldier's Chapel, St George's Cathedral

Statement of Significance

The place is of aesthetic significance as a fine example of Victorian Academic Gothic architecture of the noted Australian architect Edmund Blackett. The place is a landmark occupying a strategic position within the Central Government Precinct and makes a major contribution to the streetscape. of central Perth. The place is held in high regard by the members of the Anglican Church and the general community. The building is closely associated with the establishment and growth of the State through its role as the premier place of worship for the crown.

Physical Description

Saint George's Cathedral is a timber vaulted brick, limestone and jarrah timber church in the Victorian Academic Gothic Style. It has a steeply pitched roof originally covered with slate but was changed to tiles in the 1950's because of leaks. The building has a central nave with two aisles and a shallow transept with a dorcas window in the south transept. The Cathedral has a rose window in the western termination as well as various memorial windows inserted since construction.

The bricks were made locally laid in English bond, with a identical coarse above the windows on the western face. There is a miniature colonnade in base relief above the western entrance and alternating stone and brick work decoration on the north window.

Federation Gothic Cathedral with masonry walls, buttresses, articulated pointed arched windows and steeply pitched roof with parapet gable.

History

In 1878 a design for the new Cathedral was commissioned after the second Bishop of Perth, the Right Reverend Henry Hutton Parry established a building committee. The first design was rejected and a commission was given to Edmund Blacket "the pre-eminent architect of his age in NSW". He designed what was considered a modest but elegant Cathedral in the fashionable Victorian Academic Gothic style. However Edmund never saw this Cathedral completed as he died in 1883. His son Cyril was invited to complete the Cathedral, which he accepted.

The construction began on 1st October 1879, the foundation stone was laid by the Governor, Sir William Robinson on 2 November 1880. The building construction was slow, with work halting due to lack of funds. The Cathedral was completed in August 1888 though the east window arrived eleven months after the consecration, which was on 15 November 1888 and in 1892 further memorial windows were installed in the north side.

In 1902, a square bell tower was designed by the Western Australian architect, J. Talbot Hobbs, with construction being completed on 22 January 1903 when the tower and bells were dedicated to Queen Victoria.

In 1906 , an English iron work altar serene was erected as a memorial. In 1909 on 22 March the high altar was presented as a gift in memory of Sir Archibald Burt and Lady Burt.

In 1919 the soldiers memorial chapel was conceived in lieu of the planned chapter house. Throughout the Cathedral's life there have been a few more, though minor, additions as memorials to people associated with its history.

Additional pipe work and a new tonal scheme was completed on the organ in 1959. Further details refer to File No1.45/2 City of Perth Planning Department Heritage Places.

In 1968 the Meckering Earthquake shook the Cathedral with an estimated $90,000 being needed for structural repairs. On 6 September 1974 the bell tower had become unstable. A Restoration Appeal was commenced in April 1975 leading to the bells being rehung on 21 January 1976.

In Consultation with the architectural practice Duncan, Stephen and Mercer restoration continued on the structural part of the Cathedral in time for its centenary celebration in 1988. From 1983-1993 a new organ was proposed and worked towards as the original gallery space was designed too small for an organ to be adequate for the size of the Cathedral. In 1993 a new organ was designed and builder Knud Smenge, under the supervision of Dr Christopher Deanery, installed in a new organ loft in the western termination of the nave.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity as it is still used as a place of worship.

High level of authenticity.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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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.