| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Western Australia gathered on Saturday the 18th August 2018 at the Como chapel to celebrate the building’s 60th anniversary.
The Mayor of the City of South Perth, Sue Doherty, as well as Mr. John McGrath MLA were invited as special guests to the commemoration. Mayor Doherty expressed her congratulations to those present for establishing a community that has endured for 60 years.
“It is important for people to connect and be part of a community and this church is … an integral part of the social fabric of the City of South Perth.”
After viewing a slideshow of the construction of the building and its official opening, which was attended by Mayor W.C.G. (Billy) Thomas on the 10th August 1958, she encouraged the preservation of the photographs by sharing them with the City of South Perth Historical Society because “it is important to capture the history of South Perth and the uniqueness of the building and how it has evolved.”
The Mayor commented that although it was a privilege to share in the chapel’s 60th celebration, she would not be attending the next 60th anniversary. She suggested it may be possible for the chapel to still be standing in the future due to advances in building and construction technology that could be utilised to renovate the structure as it has been in the past.
President Bryan Skipworth of the Perth Australia Southern River Stake (diocese), also spoke at the ceremony and concurred with Mayor Doherty that the chapel was more than bricks and mortar.
“It is a symbol of a community and its doors are open to welcome the general public who would like to worship and also participate in opportunities for learning and service.”
The Como chapel has played an important part in the lives of many families, not only for their Sunday worship meetings, but also for conferences, youth activities, service projects, weddings, funerals and other important family or public events.
The afternoon concluded with some light refreshments and various displays about free programs that the Church has to offer to the broader community, such as family history research, a self-reliance teaching program, youth programs and a women’s group.