[Home] [Heritage Appeal] [Worship] [Clergy] [Contact/Parking] [History] [Coming/Current Events] [Marriage] [Baptism] [Parish Hall] [Activities] [Bellringing] [Children's Ministry] [Links]   History Brief History of the Building     Christ Church c1893 (Courtesy Peggy Graham)   After some years of Anglican worship in the schoolroom close to the banks of the Swan River (now Claremont Museum), the foundation stone of the present building was laid on 10 September 1892. Built of locally-quarried Cottesloe limestone, Christ Church is one of the oldest suburban parish churches in Perth. The original part of the church, which extended from the position of the old high altar, westwards, approximately to the steps between the chancel and the nave, was designed by architect J Talbot Hobbs, and consecrated by the second Bishop of Perth, Harry Hutton Parry on 11th April 1893. It was built at a cost of £800. The nearby Rectory followed in 1897. Extensions to the church were built in 1901 and 1909, planned and supervised by distinguished architect T W L Powell. The tower was completed in 1938. In October 1968, a large part of Western Australia was shaken by an earthquake that had its epicentre at Meckering in the Wheatbelt, about 150km inland from Perth, and some damage was done to the fabric of the church. The original stone had also deteriorated and extensive restoration of the foundations, walls and roof of the church was necessary. These restorations, which cost $100,000 were dedicated by Bishop Michael Challen in March 1981. The year 1988, the Bicentenary of European settlement of Australia, was marked by the installation of a peal of six bells. These came originally from the church of St Paul's, Canonbury, London and were donated by Mr Laith Reynolds Vice-president of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Bell-ringers, in memory of his brother. The largest bell weighs 390kg, and so the tower needed to be strengthened with a steel frame when the bells were installed. The building is entered by the Australian Heritage Commission on the register of the National Estate, and is also listed by the National Trust of Western Australia. In 2004 a full-scale Conservation Report was prepared by Considine and Griffiths Architects to guide the conservation and future use of Christ Church and Rectory for the protection of cultural and heritage values. This information was prepared by Patrick Armstrong as a Short History and Guide Booklet. It incorporates information from earlier guides and the book entitled A Goodly Heritage: Christ Church Claremont 1892-1992 by Patricia Sharpe and Laurie O'Hara (1992). Features of Special Interest The style and architecture of the church which may be described as "Victorian Gothic Revival" echoes architectural components often found in English medieval parish churches. Shingled roof - last replaced in 1999. The twelve "Corinthian" style iron columns (representing the twelve apostles) were cast in the Perth foundry of Wright and Gibb. The pulpit and eagle lectern were made in 1902, by Perth woodcarver, William Howitt. The pipe organ originally built in 1926 was extended and modified in 1967 and the console was moved to its present location during a major renovation in 1994. The large square altar was carved by Michael Chaney and consecrated by Archbishop Peter Carnley in 1997. Icons written by Marice Sariola include: The Great Crucifix which reveals St John the Evangelist's view of Christ's death, Our Lady of Tenderness and Christ Pantocrator. Spaces of interest include: the Oratory (formerly the Vestry), the Beryl Cook meeting room (formerly the Choir Vestry), the Bell-ringing room (Catherine Hope Room) also used by parents of young children during services and Baptisms. The beautiful windows reflect a range of aesthetic, religious and commemorative interests.