Local Government
Plantagenet
Region
Great Southern
Chapel Rd Mount Barker
St Werbergh's Chapel
Plantagenet
Great Southern
Constructed from 1872, Constructed from 1878
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage List | Adopted | 17 Feb 2021 | |
| State Register | Registered | 01 Dec 1995 | HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument, HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 24 Mar 1998 | ||
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 03 Jun 1969 | ||
| Register of the National Estate | Permanent | 21 Mar 1978 | ||
St Werburgh's Chapel has been recognised by a number of heritage agencies. It has been placed on the Heritage Council of WA's Permanent Register; it has National Trust classification (since 1969); the Shire of Plantagenet has imposed heritage protection provisions under their Town Planning Scheme No 11 Clause 5.8; and it was placed on the Register of National Estate by the Australian Heritage Commission in 1978.
The chapel is a fine example of Victorian Rural Gothic Architecture. The building is believed to be the only surviving church in Western Australia originally built on private property by the landowner.
The landowner was a prominent member of one of the pioneer families in the Mt Barker district, the Egerton Warburtons. The Chapel was important as an early place of worship in an isolated community. It was built between 1872-1874 for George Egerton-Warburton. Some sources indicate that the walls were built by Samuel Swift while the woodwork was done by David Brow and Thomas Rodgers. Egerton-Warburton completed the plastering himself. The chapel was consecrated on 21 June 1874 by Bishop Hale of Perth. In 1878 the vestry was built, and in 1880 the bellcote was added to the vestry. The Chapel remained as the only place of worship in the Mt Barker region until 1900. The cemetery is still used today and is maintained by the Parish Council of All Saints Anglican Church in Mt Barker. Responsibility for St Werburgh's is shared between the Shire Council and the Parish of All Saints Church. Access is kept open by Shire maintenance of the roads. Services are held every fifth Sunday in the months that have five weeks but the Chapel is also used for celebrating Holy Communion. Baptisms and Marriages.
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| HCWA notes taken from Aust. Heritage Commission Sheet. |
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11584 | St Werburgh's Chapel and Cemetery | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 2016 |
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | RELIGIOUS | Church, Cathedral or Chapel |
| Original Use | MONUMENT\CEMETERY | Cemetery |
| Present Use | MONUMENT\CEMETERY | Cemetery |
| Present Use | RELIGIOUS | Church, Cathedral or Chapel |
| Style |
|---|
| Victorian Rustic Gothic |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Roof | METAL | Corrugated Iron |
| Wall | EARTH | Other Earth |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Law & order |
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Community services & utilities |
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.