No. 1509 - Launceston - York Street Gospel Hall (1918-1939)
The Christian Brethren arrived in Launceston in 1870 and between 1871 and 1893 they worshipped in 15 different premises. After 1893 the Brethren met in the former Independent Wycliffe Chapel in Vincent Street before occupying the old Baptist church on York street between 1918 and 1939.
The York Street church is one of the oldest places of worship in Launceston having been established in 1840 by Reverend Henry Dowling. Following Dowling’s death in 1885 and the establishment of the Baptist Union in the previous year, the York Street church experienced a gradual decline. The voluntary dissolution of the church took place in October 1917, after 77 years of existence. Its last pastor, William White, died on April 11, 1913, at the age of 84.
The Baptist Union, offered to lease the York Street church to the City Mission. However, this did not proceed and the building was instead leased to the Christian Brethren. In January 1918 the Launceston Examiner reported:
“A substantial offer was received from a business firm, but the [Baptist] council expressed a wish that the committee of the City Mission should receive first offer of the premises. An offer was accordingly submitted to the committee, who unfortunately did not see their way clear to accept the terms offered. Arrangements were then made with a committee of gentlemen connected with the Plymouth Brethren Assembly…. for an extended lease of the church and premises. A contract for the thorough renovation and repair of the premises has been placed with Mr. H. Goodluck and the brethren hope shortly to be able to assemble for worship in it. The brethren already possess very fine and commodious premises, especially at Hobart and Burnie; and the York-street church when renovated will be admirably adapted for their services. The settlement is a particularly happy one, since the occupying brethren are in close agreement with the Baptist faith in most of their tenets. The contract includes the restoration of the baptistry. With regard to the Baptist Union, there is, it is understood, a prospect mooted that the revenue to be derived from the property will be devoted to affording the Tasmanian Baptist home missionaries an opportunity of securing a thorough ministerial education at the Baptist College in Melbourne”.
Renamed the York Street Gospel Hall, the Brethren used the building until 1939 when a new Gospel Hall was built on Elizabeth Street. The old church was subsequently used as business premises. The building still exists although it is obscured by an unsightly facade built in the 1960s.
The York Street church is one of the oldest places of worship in Launceston having been established in 1840 by Reverend Henry Dowling. Following Dowling’s death in 1885 and the establishment of the Baptist Union in the previous year, the York Street church experienced a gradual decline. The voluntary dissolution of the church took place in October 1917, after 77 years of existence. Its last pastor, William White, died on April 11, 1913, at the age of 84.
The Baptist Union, offered to lease the York Street church to the City Mission. However, this did not proceed and the building was instead leased to the Christian Brethren. In January 1918 the Launceston Examiner reported:
“A substantial offer was received from a business firm, but the [Baptist] council expressed a wish that the committee of the City Mission should receive first offer of the premises. An offer was accordingly submitted to the committee, who unfortunately did not see their way clear to accept the terms offered. Arrangements were then made with a committee of gentlemen connected with the Plymouth Brethren Assembly…. for an extended lease of the church and premises. A contract for the thorough renovation and repair of the premises has been placed with Mr. H. Goodluck and the brethren hope shortly to be able to assemble for worship in it. The brethren already possess very fine and commodious premises, especially at Hobart and Burnie; and the York-street church when renovated will be admirably adapted for their services. The settlement is a particularly happy one, since the occupying brethren are in close agreement with the Baptist faith in most of their tenets. The contract includes the restoration of the baptistry. With regard to the Baptist Union, there is, it is understood, a prospect mooted that the revenue to be derived from the property will be devoted to affording the Tasmanian Baptist home missionaries an opportunity of securing a thorough ministerial education at the Baptist College in Melbourne”.
Renamed the York Street Gospel Hall, the Brethren used the building until 1939 when a new Gospel Hall was built on Elizabeth Street. The old church was subsequently used as business premises. The building still exists although it is obscured by an unsightly facade built in the 1960s.
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| The York Street Gospel Hall. Photograph courtesy of Baptist church historian, Laurie Rowston. |
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| The church still exists but is hidden behind an unsightly facade. |
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| Public notice announcing the commencement of worship at the York Street Gospel Hall. (Examiner 1918) |
Sources:
Examiner, Wednesday 23 January 1918, page 7
Examiner, Saturday 23 March 1918, page 9
Launceston Churches of the 20th Century (pamphlet) Launceston Historical Society, 1996
Green, Anne and Launceston (Tas.). Council. A model municipality : places of management, mentoring & medicine in Launceston / Anne Green Launceston City Council Launceston, Tas. 2007
Examiner, Wednesday 23 January 1918, page 7
Examiner, Saturday 23 March 1918, page 9
Launceston Churches of the 20th Century (pamphlet) Launceston Historical Society, 1996
Green, Anne and Launceston (Tas.). Council. A model municipality : places of management, mentoring & medicine in Launceston / Anne Green Launceston City Council Launceston, Tas. 2007
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