This beautiful church will be celebrating it's 100th anniversary next year but it's foundation stone was laid on the 13th September 1924, so a small clebration has been held. In Western Australia, we are thinking that 100 years is quite old. In comparison it's namesake St Cuthberts Church in Darlington, Lindisfarne, United Kingdon is celebrating its 900th anniversay. On 13th September 1924 Archbishop Riley laid the foundation stone on land donated by Amelia Stone ten years previously. The building was completed and consecrated on March 1st 1925.
The foundation stone can be seen from the Darlington Road side of the church. In the cavity of the stone is a glass jar with a description of the event. Money was collected at the time towards the building costs which was eventually said to be nine hundred pounds.
The church is dedicated to St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne. He was Bishop of Lindisfarne UK. As a result of Viking raids in the area his remains were moved to Durham Cathedral. It was said the carriage carrying his remains rested at Darlington in County Durham hence the church there is also named St Cuthberts. The name St. Cuthbert’s is said to have been recommended by a resident and parishioner at the time AO Neville who lived in Darlington and like many residents used the train to travel to work in Perth.
Neville was a public servant most well known for being the Chief Protector of Aborigines from 1915 until 1936 when he became Commissioner for Native Affairs. He held this post until 1940 when he retired. He died in April 1954 and was buried in Karrakatta Cemetery.
The parishioners have published a beautiful hard cover book. It tells the story about the journey of the church in the Darlington community. It includes photographs of the stained glass windows which together with the stone construction help to make the church so beautiful.
For more information check out St Cuthbert’s Anglican Church website.
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