Scots Presbyterian Church, Fremantle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scots Presbyterian Church |
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| 32°03′23″S 115°44′58″E / 32.0563°S 115.7495°E | |
| Location | Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Presbyterian |
| History | |
| Dedicated | 26 November 1890 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Talbot Hobbs |
| Architectural type | Gothic |
| Years built | 1890 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 105 |
The Scots Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian church located in Fremantle, Western Australia. You can find it at 90 South Terrace, right on the corner of Parry Street. This church was the very first Presbyterian Church built in Fremantle. It is also one of only six churches that chose not to join the Uniting Church when it was formed.
Contents
What Does the Church Look Like?
The church is built using light-colored limestone blocks. It has red bricks around the corners and windows. The roof is very steep and was originally made of wood shingles. Now, it has red terra cotta tiles.
When it was first built, the church had a main hall, called a nave, and a side section on the north-western side. There's a small room for the clergy, called a vestry, at one end. A tower and entrance porch are at the other end, facing Norfolk Street. This porch is the main way to enter the church.
The building's style is called "rustic gothic." This means it looks old and charming, with rough stone and brickwork. The bricks are outlined in black and white mortar. The tower is about 23 meters (75 feet) tall and has a cool eight-sided spire on top.
The front of the church features the tall tower and spire. It also has the porch and three tall, narrow windows with beautiful stained glass. Today, the main hall of the church can hold 80 people. A smaller hall can hold 25 people.
The Church Organ
The church has a special pipe organ that was built in 1897. It was made by Alfred Fuller in Victoria, Australia. This organ was one of the last ones he built before his business closed. It arrived and was set up in the church before 1901.
The longest pipes of the organ stand on either side of the player's seat. Other pipes are in towers on the floor. The organ has a mechanical system for its keys and stops. It was fixed up in 1990, and its pipes were restored later.
A Look Back: The Church's History
The Free Church of Scotland started holding services in Perth in 1849. A group of people who wanted a Scots Church in Fremantle began meeting in 1885. A lay preacher, someone who preaches but isn't a minister, led these early services.
Building the Church
In 1886, Reverend Robert Hamlin arrived. He held his first service on October 16, 1887. They met in different halls in Fremantle, including the Fremantle Town Hall. Reverend Hamlin soon started asking for donations to build a permanent church. He got a loan of £1,000 from a committee in Scotland. A local bank also helped with money.
In June 1889, Reverend Hamlin bought the land for the church. It was a 0.121-hectare (0.3-acre) site on South Terrace. The Fremantle City Council approved the building plans in March 1890. On March 26, 1890, the foundation stone was laid by John Forrest, a very important person in Western Australia's history.
The architect who designed the church was Talbot Hobbs. The company that built it was Messrs. J. Petrie and Company. The inside was decorated by E. Bockelmann. The church cost £2,000 to build. It officially opened its doors on November 26, 1890.
Changes Over the Years
- In 1902, gaslights were put in the church.
- In 1905, electric lights replaced the gaslights.
- The church got a new roof in 1911, which cost £150.
- In 1975, the church received a grant of A$15,000 to help fix its brickwork and wiring.
- A wall was built around the church in 1985.
- A shed was added to the back of the church in 1994.
More to Explore
- List of heritage places in Fremantle
- List of buildings designed by Talbot Hobbs
- Presbyterian Church of Australia
