ARCHITECTURE
The Former Methodist Church is located at 8 (previously was 20/22) Glyde Street and is constructed of Rottnest limestone with brick quoins, tuckpointed brickwork, with Romanesque arches and original lead lights. The building has decorative pilasters with domed finials to the front gable, and a steeply pitched corrugated iron roof.and brick with a gabled steeply pitched corrugated iron roof. It is a fine example of a Federation Romanesque style church. Much of the original church fabric both exterior and interior remains, including Karri floor boards and Oregon panelled ceilings. The front elevation is symmetrically planned with a full width hipped roof arcade supported on stout masonry piers over a masonry balustrade.
HISTORY
1908 A largely attended meeting of the officers of the North-East Fremantle circuit was held at the Glyde-street church on Wednesday week. The Rev. Stanley Jarvis occupied the chair. The new minister (Rev. S. Jarvis) was cordially welcomed by the stewards. The policy for the year was outlined by the minister who said that it embraced three aspects, viz, (1) spiritual, (2) social and educational, (3) financial.
The motto should be "Trust in the Lord and do good" The church needed a strong aggressive policy that it might become a living force in the community. Briefly summarised it meant the establishing of the prayer societies; resuscitation of C.E. societies and re-organisation of others; establishment of fellowship classes; systematic pastoral visitation; and quarterly re-union of members. The social and educational aspect dealt with—recreation for the young people physical and mental culture clubs; social league; ladies' guilds and sewing societies.
The financial aspect dealt with the effort to make the income meet the expenditure; the income to be augmented by the re-establishment of the envelope system and quarterly subscriptions. The policy was adopted, its vigor and comprehensiveness meeting with warm approval. The minister was asked to carry on after church lantern services which he had so successfully established on the Goldfields and at Midland Junction. It was agreed to secure a manse at East Fremantle, the various trust committees concurring previously to the charge and guaranteeing the cost. The meeting closed at 11 p.m. with the benediction. (reference)
1914 The quarterly meeting of the North-East Fremantle Methodist Circuit was held at the Glyde-street Methodist Church on Tuesday. The Rev. R. Hocking presided, and representatives were present from each of the churches in the circuit. It was reported that 120 accredited and 53 junior members were on the membership roll, being a slight increase for the quarter. The balance sheet was presented by the circuit stewards, and showed the income to have been £72 17s. 10d. and the expenditure £67 5s. 7d.
The Sunday School visitor, Mr. Bennett, reported satisfactorily on the work of the Sunday Schools, making special mention of the Kindergartens at North Fremantle and Glyde-street. Each of the Junior Christian Endeavour Societies were reported as in a flourishing condition, but superintendents complainer of a lack of workers. The local secretary for Home Missions reported that the allocation would be more than met.
1914 It was agreed that the resolution as submitted to Synod in regard to the consolidation of Methodism in the Fremantle area should be forwarded to the Conference. Approval was given for the purchase of land at Palmyra, and arrangements made for an effort during the ensuing quarter for the extinction of the long-standing circuit debt. (reference)
1934 Methodist Church: Annual synod of the Perth district of the Methodist Church sanctions the selling of the Glyde Street Church in East Fremantle and the proceeds be used for the construction of another church. This move was supported owing to ‘the drift of population outward from the city of Fremantle’ because the Glyde Street church had ‘ceased to fulfil the functions it had previously served’. (reference)
1946 Methodist Church Purchased By Girl Guides Association: Announcement that the Glyde Street Methodist Church in East Fremantle has been purchased by the Girl Guides Association. The building was now to be used a social centre for guides and scouts. (reference)
1986 Photo: Guide Hall: Still a Guides Hall in 1986. Probably became a residence in April 1998, when it was purchased for $240 000, by 2005 it was sold for $850 000. (reference)
RESIDENTS
1909: Methodist Church
1910 - 1911: Methodist Church (Rev. C. H. Hammer)
1912 - 1914: Methodist Church (Rev. Ray Hocking)
1915: Methodist Church (Rev. Frederick S. Finch)
1916 - 1949: Methodist Church
Courtesy of the Town of East Fremantle Heritage Trail, Artist: Miles Noel
“Constructed using Rottnest limestone, boasting Romanesque arches. Much of the exterior & interior remains, including Karri floorboards.”
