No. 66 - St George's Invermay - 40 Years in the Making

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St George’s Anglican Church opened in 1925 after services had been held for almost 40 years in the Sunday school which had been built in 1887. (see blog entry 3 February 2018) Up until 1923 Anglican services in Invermay had fallen under the Holy Trinity parish until planning for a new church for Invermay began.

St George’s is yet another church designed by Alexander North. The Hobart Mercury reported on the opening of the church and its first service and went on to describe its appearance in great detail:

“The style of the building is perpendicular Gothic, and is cruciform in shape comprising sanctuary and chancel… The length of the building from east to west, outside measurement is 80ft. It is built of brick, with deep concrete foundation. The west end is of woodwork, with a porch, to allow for extension at some future date, and the erection of a lofty tower. Tho roof is lofty, and is covered with Wunderlich tiles. Three parapets rise above the roof at both transepts, and the east end, terminating with concrete capping and surmounted with concrete crosses 4ft. high. Above the apex of the roof is a small spire 8ft. high, which acts as the principal ventilator, above which stands a 5ft. iron cross. All the windows are large, and are filled in with dainty shades of Cathedral glass in diamond shape. The Oregon principals are beautified with Gothic panelling, and the ceiling is of Tasmanian oak. The dome in the apex of the roof, built up on half principals, is very effective, and probably there is no other church building in the diocese with a ceiling of woodwork to equal it in beauty…”

St George’s seems to have had an uneventful history until 1968 when it was damaged in a fire. After reconstruction it was reconsecrated for a second time in June 1975. The church was subsequently closed as an Anglican church but it was purchased by the Praise Methodist Church in 2010 and continues to operate.


Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018
Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018

Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018

Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018

Sources:

 The Mercury Wednesday 9 December 1925
Daily Telegraph Tuesday 15 December 1925
Examiner Saturday 18 November 1922

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