No. 60 - The Gospel Hall Elizabeth Street Launceston - Speakeasy Gospel

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This inconspicuous church on Elizabeth Street Launceston also has a low profile history. It is however on the Tasmanian Heritage Register, which describes it as an example of a “single story brick inter-War Art Deco style building for religious use”.

A report on its opening appeared in the Examiner in April 1939:

“The Gospel Hall in Elizabeth Street Launceston, was opened during the weekend, when special meetings were held. The first of the series commenced on Friday evening, the hall being well filled. On Saturday afternoon a special opening meeting was conducted, and although preparation had been made for large numbers, it was impossible to find seating accommodation for all present. Mr R. Ernest Smith outlined the growth of the assembly, tracing its history back for over 60 years….” (The Examiner 10 April 1939)

Exactly what that history is and when and why the Gospel Hall closed is a mystery to me at this stage. But I believe that its congregation might be just a little surprised to see a 'Boag's Draught Workers Club sign attached to the wall or even more so by the fact that it was recently used as a Speakeasy during a recent festival in Launceston! 

 I hope to update this entry when more information comes to hand. 

Photo: Duncan Grant 2018


Photo: Duncan Grant 2018
Examiner September 5 2016





The Examiner 10 April 1939

Link to the Examiner Story September 5 2016


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