No. 527 - Montello Gospel Hall

Montello an inner southern suburb of Burnie situated on the Montello Hills between the city and Upper Burnie. The name comes from the hills named by the Van Diemen's Land Company.

The Montello Community Church situated in Mace Street was opened in 1952 as the Montello Gospel Hall. I have not established which denomination the original church was affiliated with but from its beginnings in the late 1940’s it was a community focused church in the Evangelical tradition.

In October 1952 the Burnie Advocate reported on the opening of the new Gospel Hall:

“The opening services of the recently-completed Gospel Hall in Mace st., Montello, yesterday were attended by large congregations, representative of several denominations and the Montella Progress Association. The hall was built largely by voluntary labor. Services were conducted at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Prayers were read yesterday afternoon by Mr. O. A. Simpson and Mr. F. H. Atkinson, who conducted the meeting….In a welcoming speech, Mr. A. T. Gray said the Burnie Gospel Hall had been interested in the formation of a church at Montello for about four years, during which time children had been transported to the Burnie Sunday School free of charge. Mr. Gray welcomed representatives of the Salvation Army and Baptist Church. He extended a welcome to people of all denominations to attend future services….Mr. G. G. Moline, representing the Montello Progress Association, responded. He expressed appreciation of the organisation, which had provided the community with a valuable asset. A feature of the church’s work will be the interest in children's welfare. A special invitation was extended to them to attend last evening’s service. A rally for children will take place at 2 p.m. next Sunday. On week nights, emphasis will be placed on youth activities….”

When I photographed the building earlier this year it did not seem to be in use as the signage had been removed and there is no longer a record of the Montello Community Church on the Australian Charities and Not for profit Commissions register.

Photograph: Duncan Grant 2019

Photograph: Duncan Grant 2019

Photograph: Duncan Grant 2019


Sources:

Advocate, Tuesday 23 September 1952, page 5
Advocate, Monday 6 October 1952, page 6

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