ST MARY'S CHURCH
St Mary's is built on the site of the original church that was opened by Governor Hutt in 1840. It was an octagonal church made from mud bricks, built in memory of Lucy Yule, who was the first person buried in the cemetery in 1839.
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The site is near the Swan River and located within the Swanleigh Precinct, which is now home to the Swan Valley Adventure Centre.
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The current building was designed by Richard Roach Jewell in 1868. It was opened in 1869 and is a much larger building than All Saints or the earlier St Mary's, able to sit 150 people. It is built of red clay bricks fired in the Swan Valley and has features made from local hardwoods, hand cut for the construction. The timber of the roof trusses is visible and there are stained glass windows that were installed from 1903 onward.
The church grounds feature a historic cemetery that reflects the early colonial life in the Swan Valley and the enduring legacy of the Anglican community. As well as the graves of early settlers, there are the final resting places of the clergy of the area and children from the Swan Boys' Orphange.
To the back of the cemetery is the old rectory, which is now a private dwelling.
Located on site is the Minchin Centre. This building contains the parish office and a large function room with a kitchen, toilets and a versatile outdoor space.
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The congregations of both churches make good use of this facility for fellowship and service of the local community. Our parish is thankful for the wonderful historic and modern facilities that you will find at St Mary's.