Local Government
Northampton
Region
Midwest
49-51 Hampton St Northampton
St Mary's
Northampton
Midwest
Constructed from 1936
Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
---|---|---|---|---|
Heritage List | Adopted | 15 May 2020 | ||
State Register | Registered | 28 Feb 1995 |
Register Entry Assessment Documentation |
Heritage Council |
Type | Status | Date | Documents |
---|---|---|---|
(no listings) |
Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Category | Description | ||||
Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 19 Apr 1996 | Category 1A |
Category 1A |
|
Classified by the National Trust | Recorded | 27 May 1974 |
|
Heritage Council | |
Register of the National Estate | Indicative Place |
|
Heritage Council | ||
Art Deco Significant Bldg Survey | Completed | 30 Jun 1994 |
|
Heritage Council |
This church has very high significance locally for aesthetic and social reasons, and for its associations
with builder Thomas P. Crothers (later of the Geraldton Building Company). It also has high State
significance as another unusual example of Mons. Hawes' architecture.
This church is one of the most romantic of Mons. Hawes' churches with Gothic character, heavily influenced by'
Arts and Crafts' motives, compared with his other churches in the surrounding region which generally exhibit
classical language. The 'Arts and Crafts' influence comes through strongly with the circular tower with turret roof
and the Dutch gable ends to roof hips. The green tiled roof may not be original but no evidence has been seen to
the contrary. Externally the walls are random coursed sandstone, which features red stripes in the stone similar to
that found in coastal areas like Kalbarri, but in this case was quarried at Willi Gulli. The walls are buttressed,
articulated and stepped, finished with rendered capping. Windows are narrow, pointed, Gothic shape with
rendered weather mouldings down the tops of the arches ending with an acanthus leaf boss (similar renderings
are to be seen on the Naraling Church Hall - see Chapman Valley Municipal Inventory).
Internally the roof is supported on splendid exposed timber trusses with a timber boarded ceiling above.
Unfortunately over the sanctuary the ceiling has been replaced for whatever reason with a quite unsympathetic
timber veneered plywood sheet ceiling. The arch separating the Sanctuary from the nave is painted with pink and
white banding reminiscent of the monochromatic work inside the Mons. Hawes designed, St Xavier's Geraldton
Cathedral. Over the entry is a carefully placed choir loft with access stairs rising in the base of the circular tower.
There are arched aisles down both sides of the nave with high and low level narrow windows with louvred shutters
for good summer ventilation.
For comparative purposes, the following are comments recorded by the Feilman report -( High volumed stone
church with tiled roof, significant style, condition - good, integrity - intact, recommendation - retain without
alteration and maintain original character.)
In 1865 Belgian priest Father A.J. Lecaille was sent from Perth to care for the Catholic people in the Victoria
District. He travelled on horseback between Greenough, Champion Bay, Northampton and Mullewa. Father
Lecaille had a significant impact on the Northampton area and was a dearly loved member of the communities he
visited. At first, services were held in the interdenominational Gwalla Church (Site No. 131). However, in 1868 the
first Catholic Church was built in Northampton under the guiding hand of Father Lecaille, who opened and blessed
the Church on 1 November 1868. This Church was demolished in 1963 when the new brick Catholic School was
built.
In 1936 the second Roman Catholic Church was built in Northampton, slightly in front of the original church and
next to the convent (Site No.82). Designed by priest- architect Monsignor John Hawes, who was responsible for
numerous churches in the area, the foundation stone was laid on 24 May 1936. Despite protests by Hawes, Dean
Irwin had his wishes for a Gothic style building fulfilled. Using stone quarried from Willi Gulli (Site No.31), and
donated by Mrs. M. Williams, the building contractor, Mr Thomas P. Crothers, was aided by many catholic
residents from Northampton. St Mary in Ara Coeli was officially opened in October 1936.
NOTE:Plans of the original design are held at the Catholic Presbytery in Geraldton.
Chronology Entries
1867 Father Lecaille commenced building a school/church at Northampton.
Source Pages
Ancient Landmarks, Bain, M. A., UWA Press, Perth, 1975 ISBN:0 85564 090 1 274
Cork to Capricorn, Marchant James, R., The congregation of The Presentation Sisters of W. A. 171
1868 The Roman Catholic school was completed by Father Lecaille.
Source Pages
Ancient Landmarks, Bain, M. A., UWA Press, Perth, 1975 ISBN:0 85564 090 1 274
1936 The Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady in Ara Coeli was built. (Designed by Monsigneur Hawes)
1963 The old catholic church built by Father Lecaille was demolished to make way for a new Catholic school.
Integrity: High
Orig'l Fabric: complete
Good
Name | Type | Year From | Year To |
---|---|---|---|
Monsignor Hawes | Architect | 1936 | - |
Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
---|---|---|---|
Feilman & Associates; "A Survey of Places of Historic and Landscape Significance in Northampton, Dongara, Geraldton, WA". | 1977 | ||
"New Church opened" | Geraldton Guardian | 24/09/1936. | |
Taylor, J; "Condition report on St Mary's in Ara Coeli Roman Catholic Church: Condition Report", | HCWA | 1993 | |
Taylor, J; "Conservation Plan on the St Mary's Church". | HCWA | 1994 | |
Palassis; "Northampton Character Study". | |||
Smith, K. R; "The Birth of a Legend - The history of the Geraldton Building Company and the men and women who made it possible". | Geraldton Building Co Pty Ltd, | 1994 | |
"Monsignor Hawes Heritage Trail" | |||
"The Hampton Road Heritage Walk." |
Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
---|---|---|---|
7242 | "Saint Mary's in Ara Coeli", Roman Catholic Church, Lot 28 Hampton Street, Northampton : condition report. | Heritage Study {Other} | 1993 |
1674 | Conservation Plan : Saint Mary's in Ara Coeli Roman Catholic Church. | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 1994 |
202 | "St Mary's in Ara Coeli" Roman Catholic Church lot 28 Hampton Street Northampton for the Heritage Council of Western Australia | Heritage Study {Other} | 1993 |
Individual Building or Group
Epoch | General | Specific |
---|---|---|
Original Use | RELIGIOUS | Church, Cathedral or Chapel |
Present Use | RELIGIOUS | Church, Cathedral or Chapel |
Style |
---|
Inter-War Romanesque |
Inter-War Gothic |
Type | General | Specific |
---|---|---|
Roof | TILE | Terracotta Tile |
Wall | STONE | Other Stone |
General | Specific |
---|---|
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Religion |
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.