Anglican Church of the Annunciation, Broome facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anglican Church of the Annunciation, Broome |
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The church in 2019
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| Location | 21 Hamersley Street, Broome, Western Australia |
| Country |  Australia |
| Denomination | Anglican Church of Australia |
| Previous denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | 12 April 1903 |
| Consecrated | 12 June 1903 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Style | Federation Carpenter Gothic |
| Years built | 1903 |
| Construction cost | £300+ |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Broome |
| Diocese | North West Australia |
| Province | Western Australia |
The Anglican Church of the Annunciation is a very old church in Broome, Western Australia. People also call it the Pro Cathedral of the Annunciation or The Little White Church. This church is made of wood and corrugated iron. It first opened in 1903 and has been used as a church ever since.
What the Church Looks Like
The church is a single-story building. It has a wooden frame and its walls are covered with corrugated iron. The roof is also made of corrugated iron and has a pointed shape. There is a porch at the front of the church. The building is raised off the ground on concrete supports. Next to the church, on the north side, is the rectory, which is where the church leader lives. The bell tower is located south of the church. It used to be behind the church, on the north side.
A Look at the Church's History
Broome was started in 1883. At first, church services were not held very often. They were led by people visiting from a faraway town. In the early 1900s, Broome's pearling industry grew a lot. This brought many people and money to the town. Because of this growth, the community needed its own Anglican church.
People started planning and raising money in 1902. They decided to name the church the Church of the Annunciation. They collected more than £300 in just three months. By December, builders were chosen, and materials came from Fremantle. The church opened on Easter Day, April 12, 1903. It was officially made a church on June 12 by Bishop Riley.
In 1910, Broome became the main town for the North West Diocese. This made the Church of the Annunciation a "pro-cathedral." This means it was like a main church for the area. But in 1965, Broome's population got smaller. So, the diocese moved its main office to Geraldton. The church then became part of the Derby church area.
The church has survived many challenges over the years. It has stood strong through several big storms called cyclones. It also survived the 1944 Japanese attack on Broome. The church has also seen Broome go through good times and bad times.
Repairs have been made many times since the 1970s. In 1973, some doors were changed to different types of windows. The walls, roof, and ceiling were fixed in 1976. The bell tower was repaired in 1985. More work was done on the ceiling and floors in 1990. The most recent repairs happened in 2019. Workers replaced outside panels that were damaged by termites. They also moved the bell tower. The church was painted its original white color. This is how it got its nickname, The Little White Church.
The church is an important historical building. It was added to a national list of important places in 1989. It was also listed on the State Register of Heritage Places in 1997. In 2014, it was added to Broome's local list of important buildings.
The Church Bell
The church has a large bronze bell in its bell tower. This bell weighs about 250 kilograms. It was made in 1902 by a famous company called John Taylor and Company. They were known for making bells in England. This company also made a huge bell called Great Paul for St Paul's Cathedral in London. That bell weighed 16,800 kilograms!
The church bell arrived in Broome in 1902. It was a gift from Siebe Gorman, a company that made equipment for pearl divers. Another company, Heinke and Co, gave the church a "magnificent organ." These expensive gifts show how wealthy Broome was at that time. A carpenter found out where the bell came from during the 2019 repairs.
