On October 1, it will have been 120 years since the Bishop of Perth, Reverend Riley, took a ‘handsome’ jarrah mallet made of wood taken from the old Perth cathedral, and laid the foundation stone for St Matthew’s Anglican Church in Armadale.
It was the second church in the town, with the Congregational Church built the previous year, and people flocked from all over Perth (extra train carriages had to be put on) to witness history in the making.
The original church was small, but beautiful, and cost 573 pounds to construct.
A splendid stained glass window depicting St Matthew was acquired for the building by Martin Jull, who Jull Street is named after. The whole church precinct is now heritage listed.
All 120 years of the church’s story will be celebrated over the weekend of September 21-22, with one parishioner toiling long hours over a rolling historical display.
All are welcome to attend and a large contingent of local and state politicians and other dignitaries will be making an appearance at the celebrations on the Saturday, with a Welcome to Country by Noongar Elders, smoking ceremony, and Indigenous dancing from 1pm.
The Carradine Choir will be regaling people with their exquisite harmonies from 2pm, followed by an afternoon tea at 3pm.
Then on Sunday, the Archbishop of Perth Kay Goldsworthy will preside over the celebration of St Matthew’s 120th Year Patronal Festival.
The parish is anticipating the church will be as well received in its 120th year, as it was in its first.
“I meet people all the time who tell me they were either baptised or married within these walls,” Father Jeff Astfalck said. “So, I’m hoping there’ll be a decent turn out.”
Father Jeff has ministered at the church for the past five years since singling out Armadale as his ideal first posting as parish priest.
“I wanted to go somewhere I thought I could do the most good,” he said. “And I love it here. I don’t see any need to move.
“The community here is a wonderful melting pot, and everyone is welcome.”
For Father Jeff, the true testament of the endurance of St Matthew’s is not found in its bricks and mortar, but in the growing impact it has on the community through its mission.
“We’re a little church but we do a massive mission,” he said.
Over 1000 food hampers are given out to the community each year, and people are able to visit the church café three days a week to access emergency food relief. There are also blankets and warm clothes on hand.
“And we organise Christmas hampers for anyone in need, so even if you’ve got nothing, you can get a feed on Christmas and gifts for your kids,” he said.
Father Jeff said the need for the church’s mission has gone through the roof since COVID.
“We do help a few rough sleepers, but what we’re seeing now is the working poor,” he said.
“A big part of our job is getting people to feel comfortable enough to come into the church – a lot of people don’t feel worthy.”
There are also those who come with a healthy dose of scepticism about ulterior motives.
“We’ll feed you whether you believe or not – we’re not about to give you a theological examination,” he said.
“If all your mission is doing is funnelling people through the doors to have bums on seats, then that’s wrong.
“I think the best way to engage with religion is to keep worship out of it. And I think the mission gives us meaning outside of the church.”
And his parishioners are on the same page.
“They’re a good group of people that are driven by a firmly held belief to help those around them,” he said.
“And if we’re to be honest – it’s as good for our community as it is for the people who come.
“There’s a sense of fulfilment that comes from helping others, and a reason to get out of bed in the morning.”
The Church Café is open to all on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am to 2:30pm, and offers a delightful array of homemade treats for purchase, with last orders being taken at 2pm.
