Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Maylands has last weekend Sunday 13 July marked its centenary with a special Mass celebrated by Perth Catholic Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB.
The rare milestone occasion drew hundreds of past and present parishioners and community members, honouring 100 years since then-Archbishop Patrick Clune first blessed and opened the church on 12 July, 1925.
Joining Archbishop Costelloe for the occasion was Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, Maylands Parish Priest Fr Stanislaw Tomasiak and Ukrainian Catholic Priest Fr Ihor Holovko.
In his homily for the occasion, Archbishop Costelloe reflected on the original dedication ceremony, recalling Archbishop Clune’s insightful reference to the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well from St John’s Gospel.
Archbishop Costelloe emphasised that the invitation offered by Jesus—“Come to me all you who are weary and sorrowful and I will refresh you with the waters of eternal life”—remains just as relevant today as it did a century ago.
“The character of this area of Perth has constantly changed,” Archbishop Costelloe noted, “but one thing has not changed: every single one of us here today is as much in need of Christ’s healing, compassionate and merciful love as those who gathered in 1925.”
Archbishop Costelloe further linked this message to Pope Francis’ designation of 2025 as a Jubilee Year of Hope, encouraging parishioners to embody and spread hope through acts of compassion and community service.
Drawing parallels to the Gospel story of the Good Samaritan, he urged attendees to “go and do the same yourself,” emphasising active discipleship through compassionate deeds.
Historical records from the centenary Mass booklet detail the rich history of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church.
Built on ‘Mt Carmel’, a hill colloquially known as ‘Biff Hill’ for being a site where schoolboys settled differences, the church has stood as a notable landmark since its foundation stone was laid on 29 June 1924.
Designed by M. Mullen and built by R. McMullan, the church features a distinct utilitarian architectural style, echoing ancient traditions and early Spanish colonial architecture suitable for hot climates, originally popularised by renowned architect Msgr John Hawes.
Significant architectural elements include large, distinctive roundel windows set high in the walls, designed to optimise natural light.
Another striking feature is the church’s large stained-glass window, beautifully depicting the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ, prominently illuminated during late afternoons and twilight.
The parish itself dates back to 1893, with the first church building established in 1905.
Parishioner Adrian Ferguson highlighted to The Record that throughout its history, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church has not only been a place of worship but also a community focal point.
“It really has both an aesthetic appeal and social importance within the Maylands area,” Mr Ferguson said.
“We are a community who all come to this amazing Church of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs for the same reason – and I am sure I can say that we are all very proud of that,” he said.
During the centenary celebrations, Archbishop Costelloe highlighted the significance of community faith and collective responsibility.
Referencing Mary’s directive at the Wedding Feast at Cana—”do whatever he tells you”—he invited parishioners to renew their spiritual commitment.
“This is why we build and care for beautiful churches,” he stated, “to become signs and bearers of hope, instruments of renewal for those around us.”
Following the Mass, parishioners shared memories and celebrated their church’s enduring presence with a vibrant community gathering.
Parish Priest Fr Stanislaw Tomasiak said the Centenary not only commemorated the rich heritage and architectural beauty of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church but also reinforced its enduring role as a beacon of spiritual comfort and community solidarity in Maylands.
“We have a very vibrant Parish community that I am certain will be around for another 100 years,” Fr Tomasiak said.
“We are a community of Hope – which is particularly encouraging during this year of Jubilee,” he said.
As Archbishop Costelloe concluded, parishioners were encouraged to uphold the legacy established a century earlier, becoming living embodiments of Christ’s compassionate love within their community, thereby fulfilling their call as true disciples of hope.