No. 1502 - Strahan - Holy Trinity Anglican Church (1892)

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Strahan is a small town on the west coast lying at the western end of the Lyell Highway. It was originally developed as a port of access for the hinterland mining settlements. The town was known as Long Bay or Regatta Point until 1877, when it was formally named after the colony’s Governor, Sir George Cumine Strahan.

The first Anglican service at Strahan took place in October 1887 and was held in the Custom’s shed. A Sunday school was established in 1889 and in 1890 an acre of land was purchased off Mr Gaffney for the sum of £50. Until the opening of Holy Trinity Anglican church in 1892, services were held in the Strahan Court House. In April 1891 plans for a weatherboard church were approved and construction by the contractor, Mr Goddard, commenced later in that year. In May 1892 The Tasmanian reported:

“Rev. Oberlin Harris paid his usual monthly visit to Strahan…in the afternoon, in company with two of the church managers, he visited the new church in Harvey-street, which is nearly completed. It was decided that the church be opened on Trinity Sunday, and that it should be named Trinity Church….”.

The church was to be officially opened by the Venerable Archdeacon Mason but he was unable to reach Strahan from Hobart in time for the ceremony. While the opening went ahead the church was not dedicated and consecrated by Bishop Montgomery on Thursday 11 May 1893.

The church is still in use and is also used by Strahan’s Catholic community.

Holy Trinity at Strahan - https://www.churchesaustralia.org/

Holy Trinity, Strahan: West Coast Tasmania Anglican Church (Facebook)



Sources:

The Tasmanian, Saturday 28 May 1892, page 31
The Mercury, Monday 13 June 1892, page 4
The Mercury, Thursday 25 May 1893, Page 4
Zeehan and Dundas Herald, Tuesday 23 February 1897, page 4

Henslowe, Dorothea I and Hurburgh, Isa Our heritage of Anglican churches in Tasmania. Mercury-Walch, Moonah, Tas, 1978.

https://www.churchesaustralia.org/list-of-churches/locations/tasmania/directory/9866-holy-trinity-anglican-church-

West Coast Anglican Church - https://www.facebook.com/groups/2570885153239068











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