Perth’s Archdiocesan archivist begins a series on Perth’s history from editions of The Record over 100 years old
The most likely architect of any design for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Perth is Joseph Ascione, a man whose story has been forgotten.
He was born in Naples, Italy in 1819, son of Ignazio and Angela Ascione neé Potere. He arrived in Western Australia with Bishop Serra’s party on the Ferrolana on 30 December 1849. He is variously described as mason, architect, builder, bricklayer and stone mason.
An aspirant to the Benedictine Order, he is not listed as having made any profession of vows. He is listed as living at the Subiaco Monastery and undecided as whether to stay at Subiaco or go to New Norcia.
Brother Joseph, as he was known, had been involved in several of Bishop Serra’s building projects – the first Catholic Church at Guildford, the first Catholic house and Church at Fremantle, the Bishop’s Palace in Perth and the Monastery at Subiaco.
He was the architect and supervisor of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Victoria Square, Perth. From 1862 to 1864 he is recorded as employing five ticket-of-leave men. He is mentioned very often in the letters of the monks as they write to each other and mention the progress of the Cathedral.
In a letter of recommendation written by Fr Martin Griver to Archbishop Goold of Melbourne, he referred to the great contribution made by Br Joseph to the construction of the Cathedral.
“He has been a mason from his youth and given proofs of his great skill and capabilities; for he has been the only architect or director of the building … which every intelligent person says is a work of great merit. The building committee recognises an outstanding debt to him”. His name occurs on the subscription list in the fourth place and the following note explains how he was able to subscribe the large sum of £100: ‘N. – Br Joseph Ascione, the chief mason and director of the building subscribed for £100 to be paid by his work … but it is evident that his work is worth more than £100.’
Joseph Ascione was obviously popular during his stay in Perth. He was Godfather to at least 31 children at the first Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary [now the Pro-Cathedral of St John the Evangelist] and was witness to several marriages.
In a letter of Fr Martelli at Fremantle to Bishop Salvado in Rome on 16 November1864, he states that “Brother Architect is leaving for Melbourne”.
In February 1865, soon after the opening of the Cathedral, Joseph Ascione left Perth. He took the Holy Oils Containers to Melbourne and then went to South Australia where he had friends, Bishop Christopher Reynolds and Fr Frederick Byrne, who had also come out with Serra. On 26 June 1865, Fr Martelli wrote to Bishop Salvado: “Ascione has been given work by Byrne enlarging a chapel five miles out of Adelaide. If the work is satisfactory, Byrne will take him on for a further three years. Not a word about a sweetheart but news of a wedding is expected soon”.
Subsequent research in South Australian Records shows that Joseph Ascione married Mary Anne Doyle, aged 22, daughter of Patrick Doyle at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Adelaide on 8 June1865 in the presence of Fr T Dowling.
Baptism and Confirmation Records of six children of the marriage have been found in the Kapunda Church Registers.
Joseph Ascione took the Oath of Allegiance on 27 June 1868 shortly after completing the mandatory three year period of residence in SA, thus becoming an Australian Citizen.
Despite copious research in South Australia, no other buildings have been found that can be attributed to him until he was involved in the building of the school rooms, built and opened in March 1885 near St Rose’s Church, Kapunda, SA.
The architect was Mr Oldham and the contractor, Joseph Ascione. The foundation stone was laid by the Most Rev Christopher Reynolds, Bishop of Adelaide. Three years later, on 17 May 1888, Sister Josephine of the Sacred Heart wrote to Bishop Salvado at New Norcia on behalf of Mrs Ascione to inform him of the sudden death of her husband.
Joseph Ascione died at Kapunda, SA on 10 May 1888 aged 69.
He was buried there at the Cemetery of St John on 13 May 1888 by his friend, Fr Frederick Byrne. His occupation was given as mason. The inscription on his tombstone reads Pray for Joseph Ascione who died May 10 1888 aged 69 years Requiescat in Pace.