Addresses
Type of place
Hall
Period
Federation 1890-1914
Style
Queenslander
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Islamic Centre of West End
Islamic Centre of West End
Addresses
Type of place
Hall
Period
Federation 1890-1914
Style
Queenslander
This timber hall was built for the West End Corps of the Salvation Army for use as a church circa 1901. Its construction reflects the social and economic status of West End at that time; a suburb dominated by struggling working class families. The West End Corps had been established sometime in the 1880s and spent a number of years trying to raise funds for the construction of a local church for their congregation. After its construction, the corps grew rapidly and soon became Brisbane’s second largest Salvation Army congregation. The building remained in use as a church until 1929 when the expanding congregation meant that a bigger building was needed and a new church was built in Thomas Street, behind the Princhester Street church. This building was then used as a hall for Sunday school and other general purposes. Sometime after the 1960s, the hall was sold and in 1981 was purchased by trustees of the Muslim Association of Brisbane for use as an Islamic centre.
Also known as
West End Salvation Army Hall
Lot plan
L125_RP11166
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Timber
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
Also known as
West End Salvation Army Hall
Lot plan
L125_RP11166
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Timber
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
History
The working class nature of West End meant that there were many needy families in the area. Many working class families were extremely vulnerable to fluctuating economic conditions and could easily slip into a condition of helplessness. The tiny blocks of land in this area were affordable, industries were nearby, and most goods and services were close at hand. As the Salvation Army's mission was to assist the unemployed, abused and the needy, corps was established in West End from the 1880s.
The Salvation Army was originally formed in London under the guidance of William Booth. In Queensland, the first accredited members of the Salvation Army began campaigning in Brisbane around 1881. In later years persecution of the Army caused street brawls, gaol, and prosecutions, however this did not prevent the Brisbane branch of the Army from growing.
The West End Corps formed some years prior to the hall's construction, and from 1890 had been meeting in a rented premises previously occupied by the Caledonia Jam Factory in Thomas Street, West End. Several milestones were achieved during the corps' early years, including the first wedding in November 1890 and in December, two people left the corps to commence training to become Salvation Army Officers (ordained ministers).
By 1900 the corps had raised sufficient funds to acquire just over ten and a half perches of land in Princhester Street for the purpose of building a new church. By 1901 this hall had been constructed and the corp was able to move into it.
The West End Corps rapidly grew, soon becoming Brisbane's largest Salvation Army congregation, apart from the City Corps. The expanding congregation soon demanded a larger premises and in 1929 a new church was opened in Thomas Street, behind the present hall. This was built in a very similar style to the Princhester Street hall, but has since been altered considerably by the addition of a brick facade on the Thomas Street frontage. While this building was used as the main church, the hall behind was used as a Sunday School, and for other general purposes.
Around the 1960s, the West End congregation began to decline in numbers as many people moved out of the area to the outer suburbs. In their place waves of migrants of various religions settled in West End, reducing the demand for a Salvation Army Corps in the area. Because of this, the Salvation Army decided to sell its properties at West End and following several changes of ownership, in 1981 the hall on Princhester Street was purchased by trustees of the Muslim Association of Brisbane. The building continues to play an important role in the lives of Brisbane's Islamic community.
Description
This rectangular timber boarded building with its gable roof form is located right on the frontage of Princhester Street. It’s symmetrically arranged end elevation has a central doorway with a top light and two flanking windows all with peaked tops and carved timber architraves. Both door and windows have timber sills. The corners of the building have decorative carved timber stops that match the architraves. The barge-boards are also carved with a semi-circular motif. The gable end has an exposed collar-tie, king post and curved struts at truss level. It also features a tapering finial and a drop pendant. A circular louvred ventilator is situated high in the gable end. Free-standing pressed metal ventilators are situated on the right towards each end. The windows on the side walls are rectangular. The bottom half of the original double-hung sashes conceal sliding aluminium framed windows. Above the entry door at the front of the building is a back-lit rectangular sign with the words 'ISLAMIC CENTRE OF WEST END', and the same beneath in Arabic script.
Statement of significance
Relevant assessment criteria
This is a place of local heritage significance and meets one or more of the local heritage criteria under the Heritage planning scheme policy of the Brisbane City Plan 2014. It is significant because:
References
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Bolton, B. 1980 Booth's Drum: The Salvation Army in Australia 1880 - 1980, Hodden and Stoughton, Lane Cove
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Interview with Major Stan Everitt
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Queensland Post Office Directories
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Queensland Land Titles Office Records
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The War Cry, 17 December, 1890
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The War Cry, 19 February, 1890
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The War Cry, 26 November, 1890
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised September 2020)