The Smyth Chapel at Adelaide’s West Terrace Cemetery was built in 1870-71.
Situated in the Catholic area, the quaint historic chapel is said to be of a rare design and style in Australia.
Built as a memorial to the Very Reverend John Smyth, the design by EJ Woods was chosen as a result of a competition conducted by the Smyth Memorial Fund Committee in the latter part of 1870.
The foundation stone was laid on December 18, 1870 by the venerable Archdeacon Russell VG. The opening ceremony, in front of a large crowd, was held on October 22, 1871.
Constructed by Peters and Jones for about £472, the chapel is octagonal on a plan of 6.4m internal diameter with an open timber roof rising from each angle and surmounted by an ornate fleche. Built of bluestone with freestone dressings, each of the buttresses features a carved gargoyle.
The Smyth Chapel is available for small funeral services.
In addition to being listed on the Register of National Estate the chapel is listed as an individual item on the State Heritage Register.
The Catholic portion of the West Terrace Cemetery is the largest of the non-public sections. It was administered by the Catholic Church from its creation up until the passage of the West Terrace Cemetery Act 1976, when it and other independent portions were handed back to the State Government.
The initial portion of the cemetery was given to the Church in March 1845 following a letter by Bishop Murphy of January 18, 1845 to the Governor requesting an area for the exclusive use of Roman Catholics.
This portion comprised four-and-a-half acres and is the area known as The Blocks surrounding the Mortuary Chapel.
The first burial in the cemetery was on April 12, 1845. The cemetery was formally consecrated on January 25, 1846 by Bishop Murphy.
