Churches of Tasmania

Sassafras is a rural area in the North-west region and is located about 20 kilometres from Devonport. The district was settled in the late 1850s when it was covered with sassafras trees. In September 1860 the first recorded Christian service at Sassafras was held in a local house where a Mr. Wilson preached a sermon. In the 1930s, Mrs Mary Shadbolt, one of the early settlers at Sassafras recalled: “We lived at Sassafras a few years before a religious service of any kind was held. The first was in the kitchen of Mr. George Rockliff’s home (“Springfield”)….The first regular service was conducted in Mr. Henry Rockliff’s kitchen at “Skelbrook,” by a man known locally as “Big Wilson.” In 1864 a non-denomination protestant church was built on Henry Rockliff’s farm which became known as the “Skelbrook Chapel”. The church was officially opened on Sunday 1 January 1865. A record of the occasion was published in the Launceston Examiner: “A gratifying event took place during the past week, in th

This article is one  in a series about public buildings in country areas that were used as places of worship. In these communities churches may have been planned but were never built due to lack of finance or changing circumstances. In many settlements, before a church was built, worship was typically held in homes, schoolrooms, barns, halls and other buildings. Conversely, in some communities, churches were sometimes the first public building erected and were used as schools and community halls. The focus of this series will primarily be on the public halls and schools that were used as churches. These buildings, and the religious communities which used them, are often overlooked in published histories of churches. Broadmeadows is a rural area on the Bass Highway approximately 7 kilometres west of Smithton. The area was known as Mowbray Swamp until 1919. Following the drainage of the swamp it became highly developed farming district. At its peak Broadmeadows had a cheese factory and s

This article is one of a series about buildings associated with Tasmania’s historical churches. These buildings include Sunday schools, parish halls, convents, schools and residences of the clergy. Ancillary buildings are often overlooked and rarely feature in published histories. My aim is to create a simple record of these buildings, including those which no longer exist. The former Good Shepherd Home of Mercy is located in Midwood Street, Newtown. The Home of Mercy was operated by the Anglican Church as a “rescue” and maternity home for single mothers. It was established in 1890 with the support of Maud Montgomery, wife of the Bishop Henry Montgomery. The Church viewed “rescue homes” as an opportunity to reform women that society considered to be promiscuous. The original site of the Home was in Fitzroy Crescent. In 1891 it moved to the former Superintendent’s cottage at the Cascades Female Factory. After occupying several temporary sites, in 1905 the home moved to a permanent site

This article is one of a series about buildings associated with Tasmania’s historical churches. These buildings include Sunday schools, parish halls, convents, schools and residences of the clergy. Ancillary buildings are often overlooked and rarely feature in published histories. My aim is to create a simple record of these buildings, including those which no longer exist. The Margaret’s Mission on Federal Street began as a mission room established in 1871 in adjoining Ware street. In 1896 this was replaced by the ‘Holy Trinity Mission Room’, which was renamed St Margaret’s Mission Hall after it was dedicated by Bishop Hay in 1926. In 1928 a Sunday school was built behind the Mission Hall which was largely funded by a donation of £500 by Mrs J.M.E. Gadsby. The Mercury reported the ceremonial laying of the school’s foundation stone which took place on Saturday 29 September 1928: “The foundation stone of the new St. Margaret's Sunday school in Federal Street, Hobart, was laid on Sat

Levendale is a small farming community in the southern midlands about 20 kilometres northwest of Buckland. The area was unnamed until 1901 when a new State school was called ‘Levendale’, after “Leven Banks”, which was a prominent farm in the district. The surrounding district soon after adopted the same name as the school. A public hall was built at Levendale in 1905 and this is currently used for worship by the local Baptist church. Levendale’s Baptist congregation was established in 2022. It is a ‘plant’ of Citywide Baptist Church which comprises of churches at Mornington and Lenah Valley. The newly established church at Levendale is a trial to see whether larger churches can provide enough support to rural churches so that they can ultimately thrive on their own. If the experiment is successful the Baptists hope to extend support to other existing or new rural churches around Tasmania. The church at Levendale introduced weekly services from 2024. The Levendale Baptist Church meets

Smithton is the commercial and industrial centre of the Circular Head district in the far northwest of the island. The early settlement was known as Duck River but this was changed to Smithton in 1895. Emmerton Park is an Aged Care facility at Smithton. The origins of Emmerton Park date back to the 1960s and its establishment was made possible by a large bequest by Harry Emmerton. A hostel was developed in central Smith before the current buildings on Senior Drive were constructed in 2006. Emmerton Park has an active ecumenical chapel which is located at the entrance to the home. The chapel is used for devotional services three times a week and it is also used by the Smithton Baptist church. Emmerton Park Ecumenical Chapel. Photo: UTAS Emmerton Park Ecumenical Chapel. Photo: UTAS Emmerton Park Ecumenical Chapel. Photo: UTAS Sources and further information: https://www.emmertonpark.com.au/index.php/about-us/history https://www.utas.edu.au/health/virtual-tour/rural-health/emmerton-park/

Barnes Bay is a small settlement on the northern end of Bruny Island. Barnes Bay was the site of the ferry terminal from 1954 to 1983. The settlement and the bay is named after one of the first settlers on the island. The name was in use as early as 1829. St John’s Chapel and Schoolroom was built about the same time as St Peter’s Anglican church, the ruins of which can be seen at Variety Bay, South Bruny. In July 1845 The Herald of Tasmania reported: “Mr William Lawrence has promised to make over to the Church ten acres of land, and also build a small Chapel at his own cost; whilst Mr. Pybus has offered the free gift of a convenient site near Barnes’s Bay for the erection of a similar building; at which places the Catechist recently licensed by the Bishop will be enabled alternately to officiate”. There is strong evidence that there was personal rivalry between the two landholders. Richard Pybus and William Lawrence’s gift of land for the building of the two churches is evidence of thi

This is one of a series of articles that explores Tasmanian places of worship other than Christian churches. These buildings include mosques; synagogues; temples and gurdwaras. At least seven 'non-Christian' religious denominations have purpose-built places of worship in the Tasmania. Tasmanian data from the 2021 census reveals that there are almost 5000 people who identify with the Islamic faith. Until recently Tasmania had only two mosques, one at Kings Meadows in Launceston, and the other, Tasmania’s first mosque, in West Hobart. In 2023 a third mosque opened at Cooee, a suburb of Burnie. Islamic presence in Tasmania dates back to 1807. However, the number of Muslims remained very small until the arrival of post-Second World War migrants. By the 1960s the lack of religious support and organisation was finally addressed: “In 1968 Muslim students in Hobart founded the first Islamic organisation in this State, the Tasmanian Students Islamic Society, to take care of their genera

Very little is known about the former Gospel Hall in Strahan Street, North Hobart. I am hopeful that this post might result in further information becoming available. A cursory glance of the building located at 18 Strahan Street would lead one to conclude that it is a typical dwelling dating back to the early 20th century. However, the two large roof vents are a clue that that the building was built for another purpose. The two narrow windows at the front of the house would have stood on either side of a large double door entrance but this is hidden behind a weatherboard enclosure. A review of Wise’s Tasmanian Directory reveals that a Gospel Hall was built on this site in either 1926 or 1927. The Strahan Street Gospel Hall operated for at least 20 years according to a the annual records published in the street directories. The Hall does not appear to be connected to the former Gospel Hall in Murray Street and a search of Trove newspaper records reveal nothing about the building at all

Broadmeadows is a rural area on the Bass Highway approximately 7 kilometres west of Smithton. The area was known as Mowbray Swamp until 1919. Following the drainage of the swamp it became highly developed farming district. At its peak Broadmeadows had a cheese factory and sawmill. There were also two churches, a Methodist church which shared the Broadmeadows hall and school, and a Baptist church built in 1914. In March 1914 the Circular Head Chronicle reported that a Baptist church was to be built at Mowbray Swamp: “It has been decided to erect a Baptist Church on Mowbray Swamp, on land near Mr A. H. Heathorn’s home. The land, which has been given by Mr Thos. Edwards, is a corner block on the main road, and in the centre of the settlement, about 3 ½ miles from Smithton. The building, plans for which are now being prepared by the indefatigable carpenter-cleric, Rev. R. Steel, is to be 25ft x 18ft., and will be erected next month. A chimney will be placed in the building and possibly it

Launceston’s iconic Quadrant has been the home of at least four religious organisations. These include the Catholic Apostolic Church (1894), a Chinese Mission (1884), the YMCA (1883) and a Gospel Hall (1871). The establishment of the Quadrant dates back to 1856: The Courier described the newly opened street as follows: “The Quadrant - The new street running from opposite Mr. Hopkirk’s store, in Brisbane-street, to nearly opposite the office of Messrs. Douglas, Dawes, and Miller, in St John’s-street, has been opened out, and forms the Quadrant. When built upon, if taste is displayed in the architecture of the houses, it will no doubt form the most ornamental portion of the business part of the town. The 24 building allotments on it are to be sold by Mr. Weedon…”. In 1871 a Gospel Hall and a “free evening school for young men and boys” was established in the Quadrant by Robert Gibton (1837-1906), a native of Ireland, who had trained school teacher. Gibton was “a deep reader of theologica

Ellenthorpe Hall is a country house and farming estate on Auburn Road west of the town of Ross in the Midlands. According to Reverend Max Stanstall, author of ‘Tasmanian Methodism - 1820-1975’, Ellenthorpe Hall was the venue for fortnightly Methodist services which were held regularly from the mid 1870s until 1886. In 1904 an attempt was made to revive religious services but these lapsed after only three months. Ellenthorpe Hall was the home of George Carr Clark and Hannah Clark. The two storey sandstone house was built in 1826 using convict labour. It was the first school for young ladies established in Tasmania. It opened in September 1827 with Hannah Clark hand-picking students from the leading families of the colony. The school soon gained the reputation of being a highly regarded establishment. Amongst its wealthy clients was Eliza Collins, the daughter of Tasmania’s first governor, David Collins. With the economic downturn of late 1830s the school at Ellenthorpe Hall was closed. 

Mella is a rural area in the Circular Head district and lies about 8 kilometres west of Smithton. It is dairy farming and agricultural area. Very little is known about the establishment of Mella’s Baptist church. In fact the only information about it relates to its sale and closure in 1926. The building probably functioned as a church for as little as 10 years. In September 1926 the Advocate reported that the Baptists were intent on selling the church at Mella: “The annual report of the [Smithton] Baptist Church stated that there had been an increase in membership during the year; but owing to removals there had been a slight decrease in the Sunday school attendance. Owing to the lack of interest in the work at Mella, it was decided to sell the church property to the residents there for £100. When the transfer takes place this sum will be paid off the manse debt….”. The disposal of the church is confirmed by a further report in the Advocate: “The Baptist Church at Mella has been purcha

Devonport was created in 1890 with the merging of two towns on the opposite banks of the Mersey River; Formby on the west bank and Torquay on the east bank. The area was first settled in the 1840s. Devonport Village Church is the city’s newest church. It shares premises with Devonport Trinity Lutheran Church on Forbes Street. The church reopened at the Lutheran Centre in March 2023 having previously met at the Paranaple Convention Centre since 2021. The church falls within the pentecostal movement but does not appear to be associated with any specific group or denomination. Further information about the Village Church can be found in the links provided at the end of this page. The Village Church on Forbes Road. Photograph courtesy of the Village Church (Facebook) Sources and Further Information: https://www.vlg.church/ https://www.facebook.com/vlg.church/

Adventure Bay is small settlement on the eastern side of Bruny Island. It lies at the southern end of the Adventure Bay named after Captain Furneaux's ship "Adventure" in which he visited Van Diemen's Land in 1773. Adventure Bay was also visited by Captain Cook on three occasions, first in the "Endeavour" then twice in the "Resolution". Two other noted visitors were Captain Bligh of "Bounty" fame and Matthew Flinders, who set foot on Australian soil for the first time Bruny Island. British whalers were reported in Adventure Bay by 1804. Whaling stations operated in the bay from 1826 at four separate locations. During the 19th and 20th century the bay was used by the timber industry and the township of Adventure Bay at the southern end of the bay was the site of both extensive timber mills and a long jetty from where seagoing vessels could load timber. In 1905 St Paul’s Anglican church was built at Adventure Bay. The church was destroyed

Cuckoo is a small isolated settlement on the northern side of Mount Maurice about 10 kilometres west of Scottsdale. It was a timber harvesting area and in the early part of the 20th century two sawmills operated in the area. The settlement once had a public hall, a school and an Anglican church. Anglican and Methodist services were initially held in the public hall which was built in 1915. In 1921 an Anglican church was built at Cuckoo. In October the North-Eastern Advertiser reported the ceremonially laying of the church’s foundation stone by Bishop Robert Hay: “The new church at Cuckoo, to be called St. Aidans, is already well advanced, thanks to the energies of working bees and donation of timber from Messrs J. A. Gofton & Co. and Mr J. Gofton Senr. Mr Thos. Easterbrook rendered valuable service, in conjunction with Mr Chas Taylor, in laying the brick foundation of the building in readiness for the ceremony on Saturday. The ceremony, which commenced at 8 o'clock, was atten