No. 1278 - Goulds Country - St Gabriel's Anglican Church (1912)

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Gould’s Country a rural area approximately 15 kilometres west of St.Helens. It was once a thriving settlement with a population of about 400 supporting a post office, school, council chambers, bank, hotel, public hall and three churches. The town went into decline once tin mining in the district ceased. It is named after Charles Gould who was appointed the first Geological Surveyor in Tasmania (1859–69).

Anglican services were once held in the Goulds Country Union Church which opened in 1874. By the 1890s the centre of the settlement developed about a kilometre west of the Union Church. as a consequence Anglican and Methodist congregations, who had used the Union Chapel, built two new churches closer to the centre of the settlement.

After abandoning the Union Chapel Anglican services were held in the Goulds Country community hall. These continued for 20 years until a church was built near the Council Chambers and the Travellers Rest Hotel. Land for the church was donated by Mr Alex Johnson.

The memorial foundation stone for the building was ceremonially laid on Thursday 11 July 1912. The Launceston Examiner reported:

“…The foundation stone of the new Anglican Church at Gould’s Country was laid by the Ven. Archdeacon Beresford. There was a good attendance of residents of the surrounding districts…. The collection amounted to £10 2s 9d. The local Children's Concert Co. gave an entertainment in the Public Hall in the evening to defray the cost of the stone, and were successful in their object….”.

The church was officially opened and dedicated on Friday 15 November 1912. A report appeared in the North Eastern Advertiser:

“…The Rev. Archdeacon Beresford dedicated the New Church of St Gabriel, Gould’s Country, in the presence of a large and representative gathering. The new Church is a wooden structure on stone foundation of Gothic design with chancel and nave, capable of seating about 100 people. The Church was designed by Mr Cameron of Launceston, and Mr R. Apted of Gould's Country. The cost of the structure amounted in all to about £150, including the furniture, which is beautiful. The following gifts were announced: Altar. Rector, the Rev D. M. Dobson; Prayer Desk, Mr and Mrs Duncombe; Fontal.Col. Legge; Altar Vases, Rev. D. Blackwood; Credence Bracket, Mr Tomes ; Materials for Hangings, etc., Miss Nines, Hobart; Vestry Curtains, Mrs W. J. Thurston; Altar Desk, friends of Mr Johnston”.

A 50th anniversary service celebrating of the opening of the church was held in 1962. I have yet to establish the date of the church’s closure and last service. Over the years the building has been restored and is well maintained. St Gabriel’s is listed on the Tasmanian heritage register.

Duncan Grant 2023

Duncan Grant 2023

Duncan Grant 2023

Duncan Grant 2023

Duncan Grant 2023

Duncan Grant 2023

Duncan Grant 2023

Duncan Grant 2023

Duncan Grant 2023


 
St Gabriel's church on the day of the building's dedication. Source: Tasmanian Archives and Heritage Office - Item No: NS2980/1/5

The Travellers' Rest Hotel which stood on the opposite side of the road, near to the church. Source: Tasmanian Archives and Heritage Office. Item No: LPIC147/3/118

Undated photograph of the church. Source: Tasmanian State Archive and Heritage Office. Item No: LPIC147/3/117



Sources:

Daily Telegraph, Friday 15 March 1912, page 7
Examiner, Tuesday 16 July 1912, page 6
North-Eastern Advertiser, Tuesday 16 July 1912, page 3
Mercury, Wednesday 17 July 1912, page 7
Examiner, Friday 22 November 1912, page 6
North-Eastern Advertiser, Friday 22 November 1912, page 3

Henslowe, Dorothea I. and Hurburgh, Isa. Our heritage of Anglican churches in Tasmania / by Dorothea I. Henslowe ; sketches by Isa Hurburgh 1978

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