No. 446 - The Deloraine Gospel Hall

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The Deloraine Gospel Hall, situated on Emu Bay Road, was a former place of worship for the Christian Brethren. The building opened in 1971 and closed in 2002 when a new church, the Deloraine Gospel Chapel, was opened at Parsons Street. The former Gospel Hall was sold and converted into a house in 2003.

The Christian Brethren, also known as the Plymouth Brethren, originated in Great Britain in the 1820s. By the mid 19th century the movement had spread to Australia, with the first revival meetings held in Tasmania from 1869. As a result, fellowships were formed in Hobart, Launceston, the Huon Valley, Smithton, Sheffield, Wynyard, Burnie and Scottsdale by the end of the 1870s. The Brethren placed an emphasis on weekly communion, the baptism of believers by immersion, and evangelism. The Christian Brethren should not be confused with the 'Exclusive Brethren, a restrictive group which broke away in 1848. In Tasmania, most Brethren are 'open', that is, they do not belong to the 'exclusive' Brethren who avoid contact with outsiders to the religion. The 'open' Brethren are evangelists and carry-out community work, including overseas missions.

Photograph: Duncan Grant 2019

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