No. 1045 - Mountain River - Salvation Army Hall (1947)

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Mountain River is a small settlement in the Huon Valley located on the southern slopes of Mount Wellington. It takes its name from the river which rises in the Wellington Ranges and flows through the area to join the Huon River.

Three religious denominations were once active in Mountain River. The Methodist’s built a church at Mountain River in 1901 and the Salvation Army opened in hall in 1947. Regular Anglican services were first held from 1918 in the local public hall before a church was built.

The Salvation Army’s presence at Mountain River dates back to the turn of the 20th century with occasional visits from the ‘Army’s’ Corps at Crabtree and Ranelagh. A hall was built at Mountain River in 1947. A report published in the Mercury, concerning the the official opening of the building on Saturday 31 May, provides most of what is known about the Mountain River Hall:

“A new new Salvation Army hall erected at Mountain River was opened on Saturday afternoon by Brig. F. L. Inglis, Divisional Commander for the Salvation Army in Tasmania. He was accompanied by Mrs Inglis, Adjutant and Mrs Beasy, Major and Mrs Pallot, and members of the Hobart and Ranelagh bands.

Brig. Inglis said the venture marked a forward move for the Mountain River district, as the hall was provided as a place of worship for all. It would be used for the religious education of young and old. Emphasising the need for religious education, the brigadier said the soul of education was the education of the soul.

The crowd packed the building to capacity. Cr Hall, who represented the Huon Council, expressed appreciation of the move by the Salvation Army in providing the hall. "This hall is a link in a chain of places of worship that we trust will be raised throughout this district and the State," he said. "They stand for peace and goodwill."

Capt H. Broadstock, who is responsible for the Salvation Army work in that district, thanked allwho had helped to make the hall possible. Special thanks were due to Mr T. Oates. A thankoffering resulted in £33. Only £5 more is needed to make the building free of debt. The Hobart and Ranelagh bands provided music for the opening, and the praise meeting in the evening”.

* Additional information about the hall are 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: <Churches of Tasmania>.

The Divisional Commander (Brig F. L. Inglis) opening the new Mountain  River Salvation Army Hall


Source:

Mercury, Monday 2 June 1947, page 13







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