Ross Memorial Church

The Ross Memorial Church is a Uniting Church building on Hay Street in West Perth, Western Australia.

Ross Memorial Church
Ross Memorial Uniting Church
Ross Memorial Church, Perth
31.94850°S 115.84255°E / -31.94850; 115.84255
LocationHay St & Colin St, West Perth, Western Australia
CountryAustralia
DenominationPresbyterian
WebsiteRoss Memorial Church
History
StatusChurch
Founder(s)Reverend Daniel Ross
Dedicated15 July 1916
Associated peopleRobert Alexander Gamble, Lord John Forrest
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architect(s)James Hine F.R.I.B.A.
Architectural typeChapel
StyleFederation Gothic revival
Completed1917
Construction cost£4,147
Specifications
MaterialsRed brick, sandstone

History

Five years prior to the construction of the church a brick hall (designed by Andrew Oswald Wilson) was built adjacent to the church's site, as the congregation was growing too large for their earlier Havelock Street hall,[1] where they had been for nearly 17 years.[2] That earlier site was sold to the Catholic community, and the Hay Street land purchased from them for the purpose of constructing a church, hall, and manse.[3]

The church is named after Daniel Ross, who was minister of the West Perth Presbyterian congregation until his death in 1917. It was completed in 1917 at a total construction cost of £4,147.

The architect for the project was James Hine, FRIBA, and the building contractor was R. A. Gamble. It was built in the Federation Gothic revival style.[4] The church contains a pipe organ chamber with case, and display pipes arranged in 3 towers.[5]

Senator Agnes Robertson was a longtime member of the church, teaching the girls' Bible class and becoming one of the first women to serve as a lay preacher.[6]

Plaques on the walls describe the dedication and West Perth Heritage Trail text:

Dedication

This stone was laid
by the Right Honourable
Sir John Forrest
P.C., G.C.M.G., L.L.D..
Assisted by Lady Forrest
15th July 1916.

James Hine, F.R.I.B.A.,
Architect

R. A. Gamble,
Contractor

Heritage trail

  The West Perth Presbyterian Church was first
  established in Havelock Street in 1898. However, as the
  congregation swelled during the gold boom years of the
  1890s and early 1900s, it was found to be too small.
  The Ross Memorial Church was built during the First
  World War (1914 - 18), largely as a result of the efforts of
  the Reverend Ross, who died only a few months after its
  completion in 1917.
 

Present day

As well as services, the church is used for community functions and weddings.

The church is currently the home of the Wesley worshipping community of the Uniting Church in the City, part of the Uniting Church in Australia

It is currently listed with the Heritage Council of Western Australia, as Heritage Place No. 2235.[7]

  • Dedication plaque
  • Viewed from Hay Street
  • Heritage plaque
  • Church hall (east of the church; constructed 1913; now demolished)

References
  1. "WEST PERTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH". The West Australian. XXIX (3, 456). Western Australia. 12 May 1913. p. 7. Retrieved 16 August 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. "WEST PERTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH". The Daily News. XXXII (11, 886). Western Australia. 29 July 1913. p. 3 (THIRD EDITION). Retrieved 16 August 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. "WEST PERTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH". The Daily News. XXXII (11, 885). Western Australia. 28 July 1913. p. 8 (THIRD EDITION). Retrieved 16 August 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "Ross Memorial Church | Uniting Church in the City". Perthunitingchurch.com.au. 22 October 1912. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  5. "West Perth Ross Memorial". Oswa.org.au. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  6. Birman, Wendy, Robertson, Agnes Robertson (1882–1968), Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, published first in hardcopy 2002, accessed online 10 October 2017.
  7. "Ross Memorial Church & Ross Court". Heritage Council Places Database. Government of Western Australia. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
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