“A beacon of faith” rises before us. This is the Serbian Orthodox Church of St. Sava. It stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of a community. They sought solace and belonging far from their homeland.
The Serbian Church of St Sava was built in 1954. It was erected by a community that had fled Yugoslavia following World War II. They named it after Saint Sava. He was the first Bishop of Serbia and founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Saint Sava is the most important saint in the Serbian Orthodox Church. He is the patron saint of education and medicine. His father also took monastic vows. He was canonized as Saint Simon.
The foundation stone was laid on January 31 1954. The church was consecrated on February 1 1956. In 1974 the bell tower was erected. This completed the building. In 1979, three mosaics were set into the exterior wall of the bell tower. One was donated by a founder member of the church. Another came from the Ladies’ Guild. The last was from the organization of Serbian Chetniks in WA. It honored their leader Draza Himajlovic who lived from 1893 to 1946.
Himajlovic led the resistance movement known as the Chetniks. He distinguished himself as their commander. Later, he became Minister of War. He materially contributed to the Allied cause during World War II. However, he ordered the ethnic cleansing of Croats and Bosniaks. After the war, he was tried and executed for treason.
The construction of the Serbian Orthodox Church of St. Sava shows various waves of migration. They occupied Highgate and other northern inner-city areas. Many involved in its construction were refugees from Yugoslavia after World War II. It is one of two Serbian Orthodox churches in Western Australia. The other is Saint Trojica in Marlborough Street, Mount Lawley.
In 1965 the church bought two cottages in Stirling Street. These cottages were built in 1887. They were demolished in 1999. This made way for two two-story units, providing more accommodation. Objections were lodged. People wanted to prevent the demolition of what was believed to be the oldest duplex in the Town of Vincent. However, these were overruled. At the time, Fr Peter Rados was the vicar-general of the Serbian-Orthodox Church in Australia and New Zealand. In 2008 he was the rector of the Church of Saint Sava. Bishop Milutin was the ruling Bishop of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Australasia.
Other changes to the complex included a brick Sunday School building in 1962. School additions came in 1971. A brick storeroom was erected in 1984. In 2006 the official maximum number of people who could be accommodated in the church was 87. The hall held 145 people.
The Serbian Orthodox Church of Saint Sava is a fine example of Postwar Immigrant Nostalgia style. It is based on Orthodox Church design principles. The church shows the cultural diversity of the community. It provides a special place for the Serbian community. They constructed it and use it as a place of worship. It is a focus of their society.
Built in a traditional Orthodox style, the building features white stucco walls. It has two octagonal towers. Cupolas topped with crosses sit centered over the gable roof’s ridge. This is consistent with eastern European inspiration. The towers have arched windows on each facet. The building is entered from the side via a small flight of stairs with metal rails. An arched doorway leads into a shallow entry narthex. At the eastern end, a large projecting apse attaches to the gabled main section. It has its own tiled roof. Windows to walls and apse cum sanctuary are groups of three arched windows. They symbolize the Holy Trinity. The church is setback from the street behind a low brick and steel rail fence.
Here at the Serbian Orthodox Church of St. Sava, we witness more than just a building. We see the embodiment of faith, community, and resilience. This place stands as a reminder of the journeys. It also reminds us of the sacrifices made to preserve cultural identity in a new land.