Through the initiative of Mother Brigid McDonald, the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception was built in 1924 and blessed and opened by Archbishop Clune on 14 December of that year. Mr Henderson was the Architect. He also built and designed St Joseph’s Church, Subiaco. The Chapel’s architectural style was unique at the time to the Australian environment and climate. The aisle ceilings are constructed in the groined and vaulted style of early English or 13th century Gothic. The ceiling of the nave is half groin, vaulted with richly moulded panels. The Chapel still retains its monastic setting. In the early days, the Sisters prayed the “Prayer of the Church”, consisting of Psalms, hymns and prayers, were said by alternate sides, hence the stalls facing each other. Te stalls are of polished jarrah; work carried out by Ahern’s Ltd.
The altar, statue pedestals and sanctuary floor are of white Italian marble, carried out to design by Wilson, Gray and Co. The two small statues on the altar were magnificently sculptured in Italy for the purpose. The adoring angels, also in Carrara marble, were executed in Italy. The credence is designed into the wall of the sanctuary. The ceilings and ornamental plasterwork were originally done by R. Tindale, modeller and were of excellent workmanship. The Sacristy is complete with furniture in oak with accommodation for all accessories. The Chapel is approached by a flight of steps to a large porch on the west end, and has three other approaches from the Convent verandah and balcony by means of gangways-the centre one being surmounted by the belfry. The bell was specially cast at Metters’ foundry, and is of a very pleasing tone. The pipe organ added in 1926 is the work of Roberts Limited of North Adelaide, and was made possible by a donation of £1200 from Miss McArdle-a generous benefactor of the Sisters of Mercy. |  |
The murals by Fra Angelico, depicting the Coronation of Mary, were the work of a crippled Italian nun who painted the work on separate canvas segments. When in Rome in the early 1930s, Mother Brigid Mc Donald purchased them for the Chapel. They were installed in the dome in the 1940s by D C Perrott.
On November 27, the feast of St Virgilius, 1945, the Chapel was consecrated by His Grace Archbishop Prendiville. The essential element of the rite of consecration is the appropriation of the building for sacred use in perpetuity. This anniversary is observed each year with a special liturgy.
Other noteworthy features of the Chapel are the statues of Our Lady and St Joseph purchased in Dublin by Mother McDonald. In the main porch is the painting of Murillo’s Immaculate Conception, copied by a French artist, P. Michel, Paris, under the patronage of one of the Popes, it seems, or so the presence of the Papal Coat of Arms seems to testify.
The two oil paintings at the back of the chapel are:-
- The Unbelief of Thomas
- The Ridiculing of Christ by the Soldiers.
From the markings on the back of the canvas both were painted in 1845 and of Spanish origin. However little is known of their early history or of how they came to be in the possession of the Sisters of Mercy, Perth.
Although part of the Convent, the Mercedes community makes use of the Chapel for liturgies for groups of up to about 160.
Some of the regular Chapel uses include:-
- Weekly Masses-organised by Pastoral Care groups
- Commissioning and Contract liturgies
- Sacrament of reconciliation
- Ex-students Weddings-throughout the year
- Reflection and Prayer sessions-such as the Prayers for Peace organised by the Mercy Prefects this year.
- Prayer group and Benediction
- Visits to the Blessed Sacrament
- Staff Prayer and Masses