Published on Wednesday, 24 July 2024 at 9:34:41 AM
Welcome to #TimeWarpTuesday and a little more of the history of -
ST AIDAN’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, EAST VICTORIA PARK.
In August 1958, the congregation of St Aidan’s Anglican Church gathered in Camberwell Street, East Victoria Park to celebrate 21 years of their church. They would celebrate again in 1988, this time on 50 years of St Aidan’s East Victoria Park, but at that time the building itself had born witness to 90 years of service.
A short piece on the History of St Aidan’s was included in the 1958 church bulletin:
“THE HISTORY OF S[t]. AIDAN’S
“Some of you may be surprised to learn that the building we know as S[t]. Aidan’s is actually 40 years old, and not just 21 years of age.
“For it was originally the Church of S[t]. Aidan at Beechboro within the Parish of Bassendean. It was built upon a block of land there, given by Mrs. and Mrs Mapstone, and it was licenced for public worship on the 22 December, 1918. And there it stood for almost twenty years.
“There had been many efforts to raise funds for a Church in East Victoria Park, and services were often held in the State school until the Reverend K. D. Andrews Baxter arranged for the removal of the Church from Beechboro to Camberwell Street in East Victoria Park. That was just twenty-one years ago, and still the building stands!
“On the 31st October, 1937, the Right Reverend Cecil Wilson, a former Bishop of Bunbury, opened and dedicated S[t]. Aidan’s, and on the 22nd of November, 1937, the licence was issued for the Church Hall to be used for public worship. It was at this time that the Sanctuary was added to the east end of the building.
“It may not be generally known that the Altar, Cross, Credence Table and Lectern were originally those used in the old Church of the Transfiguration at Victoria Park, before S[t]. Peter’s was built in 1935.
“In 1949 the front wall was rebuilt in asbestos, and the kitchen-vestry was added in 1951. The building was ceiled in 1954 and still further renovated in 1957. The new Bell Town was blessed only last month (July, 1958).” (1)
In the booklet commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Dedication of St Aidan’s Church, East Victoria Park in August 1988, the same little piece about the church’s history was repeated. This booklet celebrating a the 50th Anniversary, doesn’t recall 30 years of that history. Is that because our copy of the booklet from 1988 is missing a page? Or was it that 30 years of history weren't written? The answer to this is unclear from our copy. What happened to the church in the years following the 21st Birthday of the church in August 1958? This booklet celebrating a the 50th Anniversary, doesn’t recall 30 years of that history. Sadly we are missing in our copy, or it was never written (it is unclear from our copy), what happened to the church in the years following the 21st Birthday of the church in August 1958.
Can anyone out in the great big world of the Internet help us complete the picture? Do you have some information, church bulletins or photographs from post 1988 (or before too)? Does anyone know why the church closed? When it was demolished? Or have other memories of the church to share? We would so love for you to share them with us. Please reach out via email or phone, or arrange a time to come in and chat. We are more than happy to scan and return original photographs and other items. Help us to treasure the past for the benefit of the future.
E: vicparklibrary@vicpark.wa.gov.au, T. 08 9373 5500, or please get in touch to book a time to come in if you prefer.
#LoveVicPark
References:
- The Church of S[t]. Aidan, Camberwell Street, East Victoria Park [service booklet], 30-31 August 1958.
St Aidan's Anglican Church, East Victoria Park, 50th Anniversary of the Dedication of St Aidan's Church [photocopy of booklet], 28 August 1988 (E2024.00001.01 - E2024.00001.04).
Town of Victoria Park Library Local History Collection.
*Please note this is a scan taken from a photocopy of the original. This is the best copy that could be reproduced.
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