No. 157 - Launceston - Cosgrove Park Chapel

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Cosgrove Park Chapel was opened in March 1963 to commemorate the centenary of the Launceston General Hospital. In 1952, the “Cosgrove Park Home for Invalids” was placed under the control of the Launceston General Hospital Board. This arrangement was made to alleviate pressure for beds at the hospital. Cosgrove Park was sold to a private consortium in 1993. 

Very little is know about the chapel’s history. As an ecumenical chapel it was used by several denominations. Catholic Sunday Mass was celebrated here by the Kings Meadow's Parish up until the 1990's. It It was also used for a time by the Anglican Catholic Church from the mid 1990’s. It has also been used as a venue for the recording of Christian music. 

 In 2015 the Anglican Parish of South Launceston was given the opportunity to obtain the sculpture ‘The Crucifixion’ created by artist Stephen Walker AM, which was originally commissioned for the Cosgrove Park chapel. The 'Liquorice Cross' is now located at St Marks on the Hill.

It has recently been announced that the operator of Cosgrove Park will convert the chapel into a community meeting and activity centre as part of a major redevelopment of the facility.

 Notes:

 Cosgrove Park has an interesting historical connection with the Launceston Invalid Asylum or Invalid Depot which was established in 1868 by refurbishing the old Military Barracks in what is now Royal Park.  Link HERE

Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018

Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018

Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018

Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018

Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018

Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018

Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018


The 'Liquorice Cross' now at St Mark's on the Hill - Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018

Advertisement: Western Tiers Thursday 17 November 1994 

An Album of Christian music recorded at the Cosgrove Park Chapel

Sources:

Mercury Wednesday 2 July 1952, page 17
The Examiner  Friday 12 June 1953, page 6
Western Tiers Thursday 20 October 1994, page 18
https://www.examiner.com.au/story/5382472/cosgrove-park-unit-design-plans-bowled/
http://www.utas.edu.au/tasmanian-companion/biogs/E000585b.htm
https://www.tasmaniananglican.com.au/ta201512-15/

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