No. 380 - The Branxholm Methodist Church

In the 1850’s, explorer and surveyor James Scott applied for 5000 acres of land along the Ringarooma River and named his selection Branxholm, after a hamlet in Roxburghshire, Scotland. With the discovery of tin in the area, Branxholm prospered although it remained a relatively small centre. By the 1880’s a small settlement was flourishing and religious communities were established.

A small Wesleyan Methodist church was established at Branxholm in 1893 at a cost of £49. In 1910 a larger church was built at a new location and the old building was moved to the site to serve as a Sunday school which was attached to the rear of the new structure. (see photo below)

The Launceston Examiner carried a report on the laying of the foundation stone in December 1910:

“The laying of the foundation stone of the addition to the Branxholm Methodist Church took place at 3 p,m. on Friday afternoon, when there was a very fair gathering. The Rev. G. N. Wheaton presided. Mr W.A. Scott welcomed the visitors on behalf of the residents of Branxholm and Mr J. Auton did likewise for the residents of Ruby Flat…. The foundation-stone was then declared well and truely laid by the Hon. A.W. Loone, M.L.C., after which offerings were place upon the stone, and were sufficient to meet the contract price for the enlargement of the building…. In the evening the Rev. Philip lectured on “The Humours of Life”, when, owing to counter-attractions, there was only a moderate attendance, but from the peals of laughter the lecture was evidently highly appreciated, and if ever Mr Philip should repeat the lecture here a full house will be a certainty”.


The new building and the attached Sunday school were completed in early 1911 and an opening service took place on Sunday 12 March. The church continued to serve the Methodists of Branxholm for another 60 years until the establishment of the Uniting Church in 1977. Branxholm no longer has a church as the Anglican and Catholic churches have also closed in recent years.

The new church with the old church built in 1893 at the rear. Source: LINC Tasmania

Sources:

Launceston Examiner, Friday 10 February 1893, page 3
Examiner, Monday 13 June 1910, page 3
Examiner, Wednesday 28 December 1910, page 4
Examiner, Friday 17 March 1911, page 8

Stansall, M. E. J and Methodist Church of Australasia Tasmanian Methodism, 1820-1975 : compiled at the time of last Meeting of Methodism prior to union. Methodist Church of Australasia, Launceston, Tas, 1975.

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