Perth College Chapel: exterior from south-east
[Photograph by Trevor Bunning (10 April 2012)]
Perth College Chapel: exterior from south-east
[Photograph by Trevor Bunning (10 April 2012)]
Historical and Technical Documentation by Patrick Elms and Colin van der Lecq
© OHTA 2012 (last updated May 2012)
Perth College is one of the many schools founded worldwide by the Community of the Sisters of the Church, an Anglican religious order founded in 1870 by Emily Ayckbowm. The school was established in St Mary's Hall in Colin Street, West Perth, in 1902 with 32 girls. The demand for the introduction of boarding students increased and as a result 'Hawkesbury', situated near Kings Park, was opened in 1903. Owing to the development of 'Hawkesbury' for boarders and 'Cowandilla' for the junior students, together with the amalgamation of other subsidiary schools under the control of the Sisters, 1916 saw the move to the current site in Mt Lawley. Enrolments increased and the building program flourished. Feeling that their work was done and, by adhering to the motto Pro Ecclesia Dei (For The Church of God), the Sisters in 1968 handed over the school to the Anglican Province of Western Australia.1
The Chapel of St Michael and All Angels at Perth College was built in 1927. It was designed by architects Eales & Cohen in Perpendicular Gothic style, with tall brick walls, chequer board ornamentation in the parapets and gable ends and seating arranged in collegiate fashion, all possibly influenced by Alexander North's earlier chapel at Trinity College, within the University of Melbourne.2 There are many interesting fittings in the Chapel that date back to the time of the Sisters, such as the arts and crafts brass lectern, as well as some later additions which reflect the faith of past members of the School Community.
Perth College Chapel: arts and crafts lectern
[Photograph by John Maidment (10 April 2012)]
Perth College Chapel: organ in rear gallery
[Photograph by Trevor Bunning (10 April 2012)]
The organ, two manuals and pedal, 11 stops, tubular pneumatic action, and located in the rear gallery, was built in 1928 by Roberts Ltd, Adelaide. The specification was drawn up in consultation with the Roberts Ltd Perth representative, Mr L.B. Cousans. The case was constructed locally by the chapel architects Eales & Cohen and the blower installed by Precision Engineering Co, Perth.3
| GREAT Open Diapason Stopt Diapason Dolce Lieblich Flute Swell to Great Sub Octave Swell to Great Unison Swell to Great Super Octave SWELL Hohl Flute Viola da Gamba Voix Celeste Suabe Flute Oboe Swell Sub Octave Swell Super Octave PEDAL Subbass Bourdon Great to Pedal Swell to Pedal |
8 8 8 4 8 8 8 4 8 16 16 |
Compass: 58/30
Perth College Chapel: organ showing console – David Tagg performing
[Photograph by Trevor Bunning (10 April 2012)]
Perth College Chapel: console and stop jambs
[Photographs by Trevor Bunning (10 April 2012)]
Further work saw tonal alterations by F.J. Larner & Co in 1977, the action electrified by Bellsham Pipe Organs (Australia) 1979, and a rebuild by F.J. Larner & Co 1998 with a new case constructed by Mal Adams. The instrument is notable for its strong fundamental sound and its attractive case.
| GREAT Open Diapason Stopped Diapason Dulciana Principal Swell to Great Great Octave SWELL Clarabel Flute Viola da Gamba Suabe Flute Gemshorn Oboe Tremulant Swell Sub Octave Swell Octave PEDAL Subbass Bourdon Great to Pedal Swell to Pedal |
8 8 8 4 8 8 4 2 8 16 16 |
A B A B |
Compass: 58/30.4
Perth College Chapel: chapel interior looking east from gallery
[Photograph by Trevor Bunning (10 April 2012)]
Perth College Chapel: chapel exterior, north side
[Photograph by Trevor Bunning (10 April 2012)]
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1 Perth College website http://www.pc.wa.edu.au accessed 29 November 2011
2 Personal observations by John Maidment, April 2012; The West Australian (18 December 1926), p. 8; The West Australian (15 December 1927), p. 19.
3 The West Australian (26 November 1927), n.p.; Sunday Times ([Perth] 1 April 1928), p. 12S; The Daily News ([Perth] 28 March 1928), p. 5.
4 Specification noted by Colin van der Lecq, October 2011.