No. 247 - Christ Church at Ringarooma

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The first Anglican church at Ringarooma was the non-denominational ‘Union Chapel’ that was purchased in 1883 and named ‘Christ Church’. This weatherboard building was used for over 50 years before it was replaced with a new concrete church built in 1936. The old ‘Union Chapel’ was renovated and moved to a new location behind the new church where it was used as a parish hall and for Sunday school activities.

Fundraising for a new church building began in the 1920’s, as the old building was considered no longer adequate for religious services. In 1925 the Ringarooma correspondent for The North East Advertiser wrote:

“A well attended meeting of parishioners was held in Christ Church on Monday, the object being to consider ways and means for building a new church. The present building is one of the oldest in the district, and is now almost in extremes. It would cost almost as much to put it in proper order as to build a new edifice. The meeting was enthusiastic, and it was unanimously decided to inaugurate a campaign for the purpose of obtaining funds for building a new church”.

In a little over 10 years building was underway. The foundation stone was laid on April 15th 1937, by the Governor, Sir Ernest Clark. Bishop Robert Hay dedicated the church on 19th September 1937. The North East Advertiser reported:

“The church is of concrete, with six large and two smaller memorial window given by church members. The altar, which was sent from India, is the gift of the former rector, Rev. A France". 

Eighty years later the church’s exterior is virtually unchanged.  All Saints closed in 1997 and now houses the Ringarooma Cultural and Heritage Association’s Visitor’s Centre and local history room.

A blog entry on the old Union Chapel is on this link HERE

The church's location on google maps is on this link HERE


Photograph: Duncan Grant 2017

Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018

Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018

Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018

Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018

Photograph: Duncan Grant 2018

Sources:

North-Eastern Advertiser, Friday 13 February 1925, page 2
The Examiner, Friday 16 April 1937, page 8
North-Eastern Advertiser, Tuesday 16 November 1954, pg 2
The Mercury, Monday 14 October 1946, page 6
The Examiner, Tuesday 15 October 1946, page 4
North-Eastern Advertiser, Tuesday 15 October 1946, page 3
North-Eastern Advertiser, Friday 26 November 1954, page 2

Henslowe, Dorothea I and Hurburgh, Isa Our heritage of Anglican churches in Tasmania. Mercury-Walch, Moonah, Tas, 1978.

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