Churches.
Religion, and its Churches, has played an important part in building the fabric of the Katanning community. Early settlers to the region were generally very religious and bought with them their beliefs from their home countries. Often it was, and still is, religious persecution that forced many people to flee their homelands.
In most cases people of a similar religion would meet in a variety of places to worship their God their way; outdoors, in homes and in makeshift buildings. As time passed each of these groups would build a permanent structure as a church building to worship.
Funds for these structures were generally raised from within the community itself with little, or no, funding from outside. Often, parishioners would roll up their sleeves and help with the construction. In later years, with the arrival of Christmas Islanders and Islam, a mosque was built and paid for by their community.
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ANGLICAN
St Andrews Anglican Church
ST. ANDREW’S – KATANNING
In May 1896, Bishop Riley wrote to Mr. Arnold Piesse beseeching him to investigate the building of a church, because the population of Katanning had outgrown the usual meeting places of private homes, the hotel and F. & C. Piesse’s hall. In 1897 an application to sell Lot 51 was approved and the proceeds of the sale to be applied to the building of the church. In 1898 an application for a loan in aid of a church building was approved. Continue reading
St Andrew’s Church Hall
ST ANDREW’S CHURCH HALL
Aberdeen Street (Rear St Andrews Church)
The Church Hall was built in 1911 – the foundation stone was laid by the Hon. F.C. Piesse M.L.C., the architect was Mr. E. Summerhayes FRIBA, and secretary was Mr F. M. Gare. A piano was donated by Mr. Macrae, and the church became the focus of social life in Katanning. Continue reading
St Peter’s Church – Badgebup
ST PETER’S – BADGEBUP
St. Peter’s Church, Badgebup was built as a memorial to Private John Campbell Dale Warren, eldest son of J.C. and Lillie Warren of “Dyliabing” and other boys of the district killed in action in the First World War 1914-1918. These were early days of settlement in the district, the Warren family having taken up land in 1898, and Campbell’s parents thought that a district church would be a fitting memorial to their son. Continue reading
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PRESBYTERIAN (SCOTT’S)
Uniting Church Katanning
The former Presbyterian Church also represents the former Methodist congregation, which was established in Katanning at the same time. The Uniting Church therefore has social and historical significance, especially in light of the fact that little authentic evidence remains from the Methodist Church building. Continue reading
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METHODIST
Former Methodist Church
The first Methodist services in Katanning were held at the old Government School (now part of the Historical Society Museum) from 1903 until the opening of the new church in 1905. The former Methodist Church (pictured) has some social and historical significance, as it is an early example of religion in the community and a reminder of the many Methodists who settled in Katanning. The foundation stone was laid by Mrs Wesley Maley on Wednesday, 4 October, 1905. The church was officially opened on Wednesday, 6 December, 1905 by Mrs Robinson with the dedication taking place on Sunday, 10 December, 1905 by Reverend T.A. James. Continue reading
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LUTHERAN
St Stephen’s Lutheran Church
St Stephen’s Church is physical evidence of the influx of the German South Australian settlers who arrived in the Shire of Katanning at the turn of the century. Their way of life and religious beliefs were very different to the existing settlers and the church reflects this. Although integration was, at first, not always successful (particularly in light of the two World Wars), these settlers of German descent have become a significant part of the history of the shire. The first Lutheran Church was erected in 1905 in corrugated iron and wood on the site where the present hall now stands. Continue reading
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ISLAM
Katanning Mosque
The Katanning Mosque was built in 1980 by the local Islamic community, who arrived in Katanning in 1974 after moving from Christmas Island, and was opened in 1981 by Allayarham Tunku Abdul Rahman, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia. The community has continued to grow with relatives from the Cocos Islands moving to Katanning. Continue reading
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SALVATION ARMY
Salvation Army Citadel
The first Salvation Army meeting was held in the Town Hall in January 1893 under the leadership of Captain Ivey Smallbone and Lieutenant Edward Holman. Salvation Army officers covered wide areas often holding services in tents in outlying areas. Katanning Corps closed for a brief period in the 1900’s and reopened in 1911 under the direction of Captain Frank Wan. Continue reading
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ROMAN CATHOLIC
ST PATRICK’S CHURCH
The first Catholic Church built between Beverley and Albany.
Rev. Fr. Phelan in the foreground.
The first wood and iron Catholic Church, St Patrick’s, was opened in 1893. This was the first Catholic Church to be built between Albany and Beverley, and was located at the southern end of Austral Terrace on the corner of Bokarup Street opposite the original sheep sale yards. The first parish priest was Father Duff and Bishop Gibney laid the foundation stone. By the early 1920s the parish had outgrown its church, so in 1923 a block of land was purchased on the north side of Amherst Street for £300. Continue reading
SAINT RITA’S SCHOOL
Sisters of our Lady of the Mission
On January 29th, 1926, four Sisters of Our Lady of the Mission came from Highgate to establish a Convent in Katanning. The Sisters took up temporary residence in Mrs. Norrish’s town-cottage, which had been generously vacated for the purpose. Continue reading
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BAPTIST
Former Baptist Church
In 1890 Mr E. R. Beeck and his family arrived from South Australia and sought to establish a local fellowship. The first minister of the church was Rev. William Kennedy, a graduate of Melbourne Bible College. The agricultural Hall was first used for fellowship then Mr C. A. Harris, Katanning’s first master baker, donated land facing Carew Street. The Baptistry was built first then the church was built around it. Stone, sand and water was carted with Mr Kennedy doing the manual labour with skill and energy. Continue reading
KOBEELYA – KENNEDY HALL
The former Baptist Church as now used as a Chinese Restaurant (2021) and the Baptist community have moved to Kobeelya, the former home of Frederick Piesse. Church services are held in Kennedy Hall at the premises.
MARRACOONDA BAPTIST CHURCH
Marracoonda Baptist Church
The name Marracoonda is derived from the Aboriginal words “Marr” (hand) and “Coonda” (Coonac) pertaining to hands/claws. The area name comes from the Marracoonda Pools in the nearby Carrolup River. In 1907 the Baptist circuit of Katanning was divided into two as in the previous four years, five new stations had opened up. One circuit would be based at Woodanilling and the other at Katanning. Continue reading
KAREN BAPTIST CHURCH
The Karen community worship in Carey Hall at the Katanning Baptist Complex in Brownie Street Katanning. The Karen-speaking Baptist church was founded by a group of Karen refugees. The first Karen refugees arrived in Katanning about seven years ago, seeking work at the local abattoir, which was willing to employ non-English background speakers with no experience. They moved from Perth, after being granted asylum in Australia following many years in refugee camps along the Thai border. Continue reading [2]
CARROLUP/MARRIBANK BAPTIST MISSION
Carrolup – Marribank Baptist Mission Farm
Carrolup was established as an Aboriginal settlement in 1915 under the Aborigines Act 1905 in order to provide a facility where Aboriginal persons could be sent, to remove them from the public eye, from the fringes of Wheatbelt and South-West towns. Carrolup was closed in 1951. Renovated as the Marribank Farm School, the settlement was intended to provide rural and technical training for young Aboriginal men and boys. This idea foundered, and the assets of the settlement were passed to the Baptist Church, which continued to operate the settlement as the Marribank Family Centre until it withdrew in 1989. Continue reading
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SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST
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JEHOVAH’S WITNESS
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FOUR SQUARE
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WESLEYAN
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CAN YOU HELP?
I have been unable to locate historic information or photographs of the last four churches.
Do you have information or photographs? If so I would love to hear from you.
You can contact me at admin@lostkatanning.au
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