St Brigid's Church, Perth

St Brigid's Church is a heritage-listed Roman Catholic church in Northbridge, Western Australia. The church precinct comprises the church building itself, a convent, a presbytery and a school, situated on a block of land bounded by Aberdeen Street (to the north-east), Fitzgerald Street (to the south-east), John Street (to the south-west) and a park and freeway exits (to the north-west).

St Brigid's Church
St Brigid's Church
General information
TypeRoman Catholic church
LocationNorthbridge, Western Australia
Coordinates31.944148°S 115.853297°E / -31.944148; 115.853297 (St Brigid's Church)
TypeState Registered Place
Designated23 November 2004
Part ofSt Brigid's Group, Perth (2030)
Reference no.1977

History
St Brigid's Church with the old St Brigid's School

On 16 July 1888, Sisters Berchmans Deane and John Evangelist Stewart of the Sisters of Mercy commenced the operation of a school in a cottage on John Street. The school (called St Brigid's) quickly attracted many pupils and, in six months, plans were underway for a larger school. On 1 February 1889 (the feast of St Brigid), Bishop Gibney laid the foundation stone for a large school building. Student numbers continued to grow, necessitating the construction of a convent chapel with accommodation for larger numbers of the Sisters of Mercy required to run the school. As the number of Sisters increased, the convent building was progressively extended. The convent building was completed in 1896.[1]

On 25 May 1896, the convent became an independent community of the Sisters of Mercy (previously it had been affiliated with the Convent of the Immaculate Conception in Victoria Square). This allowed the convent to accept novices and postulants.[1]

In 1901, the parish of St Brigid's was established and Monsignor Bourke was appointed as parish priest. The nuns provided access to the school buildings for church services, but this was very inconvenient to constantly re-arrange everything, so a committee was formed in April 1901 to raise funds for the building a church and a presbytery.[2]

In 1902, the presbytery was built facing Aberdeen Street. In February 1904, the plans had been drawn up for the church itself and the foundation stone was laid in May 1904.[3][4] The church was built on the corner of Fitzgerald Street and Aberdeen Street and was officially opened on 5 February 1905.[5]

Recent times

By 1974, the area, once residential, had become more of a commercial and industrial area. As a result, there were very few students. It was decided that the Sisters would sell the convent to the Western Australian State Government to be used by organisations such as the Department of Corrections and for Technical and Further Education (TAFE).[1]

In 1991, the church precinct was classified by the National Trust of Australia. The State Government offered the Sisters the opportunity to buy back the convent and a community grant was used to restore the buildings. The Sisters returned to St Brigid's in 1998 and the precinct was heritage listed in 2004.[1][6]

In 2011, the St Brigid's Convent is used as the Congregation administration offices of the Sisters of Mercy in West Perth. The historical records of the Sisters are kept in the cottage where the school began.[1]

Architecture
Side view of St Brigid's Church

The church is built in Federation Gothic style with walls of red brick. The church is about 60 feet wide and 115 feet long and the height to the ceiling is 40 feet. There are three aisles giving access to seating for 700-800 people. There is a large rose window over the main entrance on Fitzgerald Street with another entrance on Aberdeen Street. On the corner nearest Fitzgerald and Aberdeen Streets, the stairs to the choir are extended up to a tower containing a belfry. The church bell was imported from England. The windows on the side are mullioned and traceried with the surrounds being made of freestone. The roof is made of Green Welsh slate. The furniture in the church was custom-made from solid polished jarrah timber.[5][7]

The convent has an oratory and features a hammer-beamed trussed roof. The windows are painted dado and leadlight panel bay windows with gold-painted arches.[7]

The school is a two-storey building in the Federation Arts and Craft style.[7]

References
  1. Collections Australia Network: Sisters of Mercy, West Perth, accessed 14 January 2011
  2. "ST. BRIGID'S PARISH". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 15 April 1901. p. 7. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  3. "ST. BRIGID'S WEST PERTH". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 6 February 1904. p. 9. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  4. "ST. BRIGID'S CHURCH". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 23 May 1904. p. 7. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  5. "ST. BRIGID'S CHURCH". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 6 February 1905. p. 4. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  6. Heritage Council of Western Australia: St Brigid's Group, accessed 14 January 2011
  7. Heritage Council of Western Australia: Register of Heritage Places: St Brigid's Group, Perth, accessed 14 January 2011
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