Johnson Court History

Johnson Court started life as a church site and records show that the Congreational Church owed its existence to the efforts of a mixed congregation, which in 1852 subscribed five pounds towards its erection. An application was made to the Colonial Missionary Society for a minister and funds to assist with the building.

The minister sent out was the Rev Joseph Johnston who found on his arrival in June, 1853, that work on the church had been abandoned. Vigorous efforts were made to raise funds for the completion of the building. Until 1854 services were inter-denominational but on October 8th 1854 Congregational forms of worship were adopted and a communion service was attended by eight people.

Rev Johnston worked under great difficulties but eventually success followed and the chapel had to be enlarged in 1857.

The Rev Johnston worked in Fremantle for some 40 years dying in 1896 and was memorialised by a tablet in the old church.

The church remained in use until the last service was held in March of 1966. In 1966 it was demolished to make way for an apartment block that still retains part of the name of the old church and the Reverand Johnston who worked so hard to serve the people of Fremantle.

Johnson Court was constructed in 1969/70 and except for the amalgmation of adjoining warehouse lots, the same site that replaced the old church.