Church of Our Lady in Ara Coeli

Child Places

• 01903 Convent of the Sacred Heart (fmr)

Statement of Significance

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.

Physical Description

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.)

History

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/Authenticity

Integrity: High Orig'l Fabric: complete

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update