No. 7 - Baptist Church Dysart - Deceiving Appearances

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This is the former Baptist Church at Dysart which was built in 1863 by Henry Speke, who offered the building for use by any denomination provided the minister did not wear a gown or use a prayer book. Given these terms and conditions, the Church of England felt obliged to provide their own church in Dysart! It seems that it has not altered much when comparing it to the photo taken around 1890. But appearances are deceiving.

It was at one time in a ruinous state, abandoned and badly damaged by fire. In 1948 ownership of the church was traced to the Baptist Union which opted to transfer the building to the local council given the cost of repair. This became the first church in Tasmania to be given away and it was transformed into a community hall and and war memorial.

It is heritage listed and described as "Unusual Georgian stone church. Dressed stone quoins and reveals to openings with decked stone walls. Iron gable roof. Main facade has two round head entry doors in each corner with two round head non- vertically aligned 21 pane windows above. Inlaid tablets and coping to parapet. Three by 21 pane round head windows to body of church".

 The building is now is a private residence.
Source: Linc Tasmania PH30-1-5216

Mercury Monday 28 August 1933, page 3



Mercury Monday 20 December 1948, page 6


Advocate Friday 10 October 1947, page 2


Additional Sources

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