No. 42 - Legana Uniting Church - Three Churches in Seven Months
The title of this blog entry reflects the rapid spread of Methodist churches in the Tamar region in the latter half of the 19th century. The Legana Uniting Church is just one example of many Methodist communities established at this time.
This seemingly simple church is older than it might appear. In the photographs it is apparent that the church has been extended at the front while the older part of the building at the rear rests on a stone foundation. The later additions are apparent when comparing these photographs with the black and white photos of the church taken in 1955. The Legana Uniting Church is one of the few survivors of the early Methodist expansion and still operates, serving the rapidly growing town of Legana north of Launceston.
This seemingly simple church is older than it might appear. In the photographs it is apparent that the church has been extended at the front while the older part of the building at the rear rests on a stone foundation. The later additions are apparent when comparing these photographs with the black and white photos of the church taken in 1955. The Legana Uniting Church is one of the few survivors of the early Methodist expansion and still operates, serving the rapidly growing town of Legana north of Launceston.
The church opened in 1916 and was one of three Methodist
churches which opened in the district within a space of 7 months; the other two being at
Exeter and Richmond Hill.
The opening of the church was described in Launceston’s
Daily Telegraph:
Three services were held… At each service musical items
were rendered by members of the Patterson Street Choir…. Through the inclemency
of the weather the attendance at the afternoon and evening services was
greatly affected. After the morning service Rev. Grove performed the pleasing
duty of presenting a piece of silver
plate to Mr and Mrs H. McEwin, in grateful appreciation for the way in which
they opened their home for the service during the past fifteen months. An entertainment and coffee supper was
to have been held on Monday night, but owing to the heavy rains was postponed
until Tuesday, and on that evening the church was crowded. …The building has
been erected by Mr J. H. Higgs, who is to be complemented on the workmanship.
The block of land on which the church stands was the gift of the late Mr F. W.
Stewart. … The, opening celebrations returned about £13, and with special
donations received towards seats and organ would make the total over £30.
Legana Uniting Church still serves its community but is now barely noticeable at the side of a busy road at the edge of a commuter suburb. As with all blog entries, it will be updated as further comes to
hand.
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Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018 |
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Photo: Duncan Grant 2018 |
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Legana Methodist Church 1955: QVMAG Collection :1983:P:0093 |
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Legana Methodist Church 1955 - QVMAG Collection 1983:P:0094 |
Sources:
Daily Telegraph (Launceston) Friday 27 October 1916
Examiner Friday 4 May 1917
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