I'm not one for visiting churches and temples when travelling, but whenever I'm in our state's mid-west, I make it a point to visit one of
Monsignor Hawes' creations.
The number of churches he's designed and built in the midwest amazes me. You can see a list of them
here.
When in the little town of Mullewa recently, we visited one of his churches - the Our Lady of Mt Carmel.
Monsignor Hawes not only designed this church but also did a lot of the masonry work and labouring in the building of it.
I took some close ups of the stonework and bas reliefs.
The interior
Two of the many stained glass windows
The confessional
The piece de resistance for me is the baptistry. Here you see the exterior - the white dome opens up at the top to let light in.
Interior view, looking up the dome ...
... and the light streams down on the baptismal font.
It even has a gargoyle outside.
He also built a huge Cathedral in Geraldton (400 km north of Perth), which we did not visit on this trip.
We did go to Yalgoo, where there was another of his churches, but unfortunately it was closed when we werre there.
He's a great architect. Lovely building and so European. I like the main alter. The stone and wood work complimenting each other. Looks very deserted though! Wonder if the masons and brick layers were Australians? Or imported labour?
ReplyDeleteMullewa has a population of less than 800; that's probably why the church looks deserted on a weekday. The masons and layers were local farmers, and Hawes himself. I tried unsuccessfully to find out whether the bas reliefs were locally made, but learned that the gargoyle was a caricature of the Bishop of Geraldton, who Hawes disliked.
DeleteBTW, the crucifix on the main alter is a San Damiano cross. Cool!
ReplyDeleteI had to google that - it is cool!
DeleteLovely church. I thought for a while you were referring to the monastery at New Nausea, which we have on our list to visit the next time we are in WA. http://www.newnorcia.wa.edu.au/monastery/
ReplyDeleteKM
I've been to New Norcia a few times. It has a beautiful art gallery and the monks will take you on a tour of the place. They have a bakery too, with great bread you can buy. But the most special thing of all is the way the Spanish style buildings stand out in the WA countryside.
DeleteOh my. Arthur these are breathtaking pictures. What camera do you use? That said, this church is really beautiful and I like villages - 800 souls. Thank you for sharing these. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Reader's Tales, On this trip I took my Canon 40D, an old camera but still very good for my purposes.
DeleteWow excellent. Thank you Arthur :)
DeleteMy pleasure, RT.
DeleteThanks, Art. Learned something new: "piece de resistance" (the French has a sense of humour for its original meaning) and "San Damiano Cross".
ReplyDeleteThe San Damiano Cross is new to me too.
DeleteOoooo...so beautiful! I love these old churches inside and out. I hate the modern structures we have around here - they do not even look like a church.
ReplyDeleteMe, too. Don't like the new designs.
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