Saint Mary's Church, Anglican church in Middle Swan, Australia
St Mary's Church is a rectangular Anglican church on Yule Avenue in Middle Swan, built in 1868–69 next to the site of its octagonal predecessor. It seats 150 people and, with its adjoining graveyard, overlooks the Swan River in the Swan Valley.
The first church on the site was built in memory of Lucy Yule, wife of Magistrate T. N. Yule, who died in 1838 and was the first person buried there. Its foundation stone was laid on 5 August 1839, and Governor John Hutt opened it on 29 November 1840. The octagonal building, consecrated in 1848, was replaced by the current rectangular church, designed by Richard Roach Jewell and consecrated by Bishop Matthew Hale on 10 March 1869.
The graveyard holds burials of early pioneers from the Swan Valley region, including Lucy Yule, the first person laid to rest here. These graves reflect the lives of the first European settlers who shaped the area.
Visiting the church requires advance arrangements made through the Anglican Diocese of Perth. It is best to contact them beforehand to confirm access and suitable visiting times.
The land is believed to have been a landing site during James Stirling's 1827 expedition, before any church stood here. The first minister to attend the church was William Mitchell. The graveyard holds graves of Swan River Colony settlers from 1838 onward.
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