No. 1521 - Woodbridge - Uniting Church [Methodist] (1898)
Woodbridge is a settlement on the Channel Highway approximately 40 kilometres south of Hobart. The village was originally called Peppermint Bay. It was renamed in about 1877, after Woodbridge in Suffolk, the birthplace of George Miles, one of the first settlers in the area.
In 1858 a Union Chapel was built on half an acre of land donated by Joseph Davies for a place of worship for Protestants. A doorway and windows from the old Government House on Macquarie street was used in the church’s construction. In 1884 the Church of England withdrew from using the chapel after building St Simon and St Jude. After this the chapel was used solely by the Wesleyan Methodists. In 1897 the Union Chapel was destroyed by bushfires which swept across Southern Tasmania.
Following the loss of the church, Mr George Miles donated land for the Wesleyan Methodists to build a new church. Home Missionary Mr A.R. Pratt led fundraising efforts to build a new church and on the 11 April 1898 memorial foundation stones were laid by Aldermen G Hiddlestone Esq. Mayor of Hobart and W. Smith Esq. of Hobart. The ceremony was described in some detail in a report published in the Mercury and which is reproduced as follows:
“A large number of excursionists journeyed to Peppermint Bay yesterday per s.s. Ivy, reaching the Bay at 11.30. Upon arrival at this picturesque spot, groups of picnickers wended their way in various directions, whilst the alimentary wants of those who were unprovided with "kits" were catered for by a posse of ladies at the hall, who provided a substantial dinner at a low figure. Woodbridge was the rendezvous of people from all parts of the channel, they no doubt being attracted by the announcement that the ceremony of laying the Wesleyan Church memorial stones would take place”.
“As has already been mentioned, prior to the "Black Friday" fires, the Wesleyans held their services in the old Union Chapel, then destroyed by fire. Such a reverse—concurrently with a disastrously dry season, combined with the ill-effects of the fire, and the severe restrictions on their fruits in the Sydney markets—was rendered doubly calamitous to a fruit-growing community. The Methodists, however, with characteristic zeal surmounted these obstacles, and the pretty edifice in course of erection will be a lasting memorial to the courage, determination, and enterprise of pastor and people”.
“Among those present at the ceremony were Revs. G. W. Sharp and T. A. Taylor, Dr. Turner, J.P., and Mr. J. W. C. Hamilton (Town Clerk of Hobart). The proceedings were opened with religious exercises. Mr, M. A. Pratt, the minister of the circuit, then extended a hearty welcome to His Worship the Mayor of Hobart, to Alderman Smith, and others. He gave a resume of events leading to the present gathering. Upon losing the old building, it was felt that the Wesleyans should have a place of their own. With this end in view, a meeting was immediately called, and they decided to build. A piece of land was given by Mr. George Miles; this land was cleared by members of the Church, and collectors were appointed with a good measure of success. He must acknowledge the help received from the members of the Melville-street Church, with which he had previously been connected. It was a member of this Church who prepared the plans and specifications without fee. He must pay a tribute to Mrs. W. S. Dear and Mr F. P. Lucas, who had been associated with him as officers of the Building Committee. The work of construction was entrusted to Mr A. W. Nightingale”.
“He then called upon the Mayor of Hobart, Mr. G. Hiddlestone, who performed the ceremony of laying the first stone of the church. Alderman W. Smith also laid a stone. The stones are white freestone, and are suitably inscribed. The Mayor and Alderman Smith were presented with handsome mallets of Tasmanian wood, beautifully made and appropriately engraved. These were the gratuitous work of Mr. G. H. Reilly and Mr W. Nielson. Offerings were placed upon the stones amounting to about £9. The Mayor delivered a short address. He spoke of the achievements of Methodism in the past, and bespoke for Mr. Pratt the active co-operation of his people. He feelingly referred to the death of Sir Lambert Dobson and his efforts on behalf of the local sufferers by the bush fires. Alderman Smith also gave an address. Mr. Maddison also addressed those present, and spoke of the proposed building, which will be of Gothic style, and capable ofseating 140 people. The plans and specifications were the gift of Mr. F. Maddison”.
“The Rev. T. Taylor (Congregationalist) pleaded for Catholicity of Christian spirit, and referred, amidst applause, to the unity existing amongst the local churches. The Rev. G. W. Sharp (President of Council of Churches) deprecated overlapping in church operations, and urged the people to assist Mr. Pratt in his pastoral duties. Afternoon tea was served on Mr. F. P. Lucas' lawn, and tea was provided at the public-hall. The Ivy left Woodbridge at 5 p.m., reaching the city at dusk”.
The building was completed by the middle of the year and the first service was held on 17 July. The official opening took place two weeks later on 31 July 1898.
In 1967 the church came close to being destroyed in bushfires however the parsonage could not be saved. In 1977 the Methodist community joined the Uniting Church. The church remains active and is now the only church in Woodbridge with the recent closure of the local Anglican church.
In 1858 a Union Chapel was built on half an acre of land donated by Joseph Davies for a place of worship for Protestants. A doorway and windows from the old Government House on Macquarie street was used in the church’s construction. In 1884 the Church of England withdrew from using the chapel after building St Simon and St Jude. After this the chapel was used solely by the Wesleyan Methodists. In 1897 the Union Chapel was destroyed by bushfires which swept across Southern Tasmania.
Following the loss of the church, Mr George Miles donated land for the Wesleyan Methodists to build a new church. Home Missionary Mr A.R. Pratt led fundraising efforts to build a new church and on the 11 April 1898 memorial foundation stones were laid by Aldermen G Hiddlestone Esq. Mayor of Hobart and W. Smith Esq. of Hobart. The ceremony was described in some detail in a report published in the Mercury and which is reproduced as follows:
“A large number of excursionists journeyed to Peppermint Bay yesterday per s.s. Ivy, reaching the Bay at 11.30. Upon arrival at this picturesque spot, groups of picnickers wended their way in various directions, whilst the alimentary wants of those who were unprovided with "kits" were catered for by a posse of ladies at the hall, who provided a substantial dinner at a low figure. Woodbridge was the rendezvous of people from all parts of the channel, they no doubt being attracted by the announcement that the ceremony of laying the Wesleyan Church memorial stones would take place”.
“As has already been mentioned, prior to the "Black Friday" fires, the Wesleyans held their services in the old Union Chapel, then destroyed by fire. Such a reverse—concurrently with a disastrously dry season, combined with the ill-effects of the fire, and the severe restrictions on their fruits in the Sydney markets—was rendered doubly calamitous to a fruit-growing community. The Methodists, however, with characteristic zeal surmounted these obstacles, and the pretty edifice in course of erection will be a lasting memorial to the courage, determination, and enterprise of pastor and people”.
“Among those present at the ceremony were Revs. G. W. Sharp and T. A. Taylor, Dr. Turner, J.P., and Mr. J. W. C. Hamilton (Town Clerk of Hobart). The proceedings were opened with religious exercises. Mr, M. A. Pratt, the minister of the circuit, then extended a hearty welcome to His Worship the Mayor of Hobart, to Alderman Smith, and others. He gave a resume of events leading to the present gathering. Upon losing the old building, it was felt that the Wesleyans should have a place of their own. With this end in view, a meeting was immediately called, and they decided to build. A piece of land was given by Mr. George Miles; this land was cleared by members of the Church, and collectors were appointed with a good measure of success. He must acknowledge the help received from the members of the Melville-street Church, with which he had previously been connected. It was a member of this Church who prepared the plans and specifications without fee. He must pay a tribute to Mrs. W. S. Dear and Mr F. P. Lucas, who had been associated with him as officers of the Building Committee. The work of construction was entrusted to Mr A. W. Nightingale”.
“He then called upon the Mayor of Hobart, Mr. G. Hiddlestone, who performed the ceremony of laying the first stone of the church. Alderman W. Smith also laid a stone. The stones are white freestone, and are suitably inscribed. The Mayor and Alderman Smith were presented with handsome mallets of Tasmanian wood, beautifully made and appropriately engraved. These were the gratuitous work of Mr. G. H. Reilly and Mr W. Nielson. Offerings were placed upon the stones amounting to about £9. The Mayor delivered a short address. He spoke of the achievements of Methodism in the past, and bespoke for Mr. Pratt the active co-operation of his people. He feelingly referred to the death of Sir Lambert Dobson and his efforts on behalf of the local sufferers by the bush fires. Alderman Smith also gave an address. Mr. Maddison also addressed those present, and spoke of the proposed building, which will be of Gothic style, and capable ofseating 140 people. The plans and specifications were the gift of Mr. F. Maddison”.
“The Rev. T. Taylor (Congregationalist) pleaded for Catholicity of Christian spirit, and referred, amidst applause, to the unity existing amongst the local churches. The Rev. G. W. Sharp (President of Council of Churches) deprecated overlapping in church operations, and urged the people to assist Mr. Pratt in his pastoral duties. Afternoon tea was served on Mr. F. P. Lucas' lawn, and tea was provided at the public-hall. The Ivy left Woodbridge at 5 p.m., reaching the city at dusk”.
The building was completed by the middle of the year and the first service was held on 17 July. The official opening took place two weeks later on 31 July 1898.
In 1967 the church came close to being destroyed in bushfires however the parsonage could not be saved. In 1977 the Methodist community joined the Uniting Church. The church remains active and is now the only church in Woodbridge with the recent closure of the local Anglican church.
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| Woodbridge Uniting Church. Photograph courtesy of the Uniting Church Tasmania |
Sources:
Mercury, Tuesday 12 April 1898, page 3
Mercury, Wednesday 27 July 1898, page 3
https://ucatas.org.au/120-years-of-continuous-worship/ 25 June, 2018.
Stansall, M. E. J. and Methodist Church of Australasia. Tasmanian Methodism, 1820-1975 / [by M.E.J. Stansall ... et al] Methodist Church of Australasia Launceston, Tas 1975
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