No. 1027 - Latrobe - Mersey Valley Assembly of God

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Latrobe is a large country town situated between the Bass Highway and the Mersey River. The first dwelling built on the town site was in 1836 and land sales took place some 20 years later. It was named after Administrator Charles LaTrobe, who was acting Lieutenant-Governor of Tasmania for a few months (1846-7). Latrobe was once an important port town with boats operating from Bells Parade until the Mersey River silted up.

Little information is available about this former Assembly of God church which was located 129 Gilbert street. Up until the early 2000s the Assemblies of God was still a significant religious denomination in Tasmania. The Centre for Tasmanian Historical Studies provides the following review of the denomination:

“Assemblies of God are made up of autonomous Pentecostal churches led by an elected state President. Pentecostals are distinguished by their belief in spiritual gifts, most notably 'tongues', prophecy and healing. They are generally characterised by contemporary worship. The Australian Assemblies of God commenced in 1937 when several fledgling groups of Pentecostal churches decided to combine. The Tasmanian Assemblies of God commenced in 1959 when Pastor David Morris pioneered the Hobart Assembly of God, which was pastored by Ron Wilson from 1974 to 2004. Pastor Phil Hills pioneered the Launceston Assembly of God in 1961 and the Burnie Assembly of God in 1967. The Devonport Assembly of God was pioneered by Pastor David Cartledge in 1964. In 2002 there were 22 Tasmanian assemblies with around 2000 constituents”.

*Additional information about this church is most welcome as all articles are updated. I can be contacted through this page or my Facebook page "Churches of Tasmania" which is linked <HERE> .


Mersey Valley Assembly of God was located at 127-29 Gilbert Street. Source: Libraries Tasmania


Sources:

https://www.utas.edu.au/library/companion_to_tasmanian_history/P/Pentecostal.htm




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