No. 1529 - Mella - Baptist Church

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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 purchased by a committee of Mella people. The purchase price was £100.…. Application has been for the building to be licensed as a public hall, and it is expected that the licence will be granted… The hall is about 30 feet by 20 ft, in good order, and will be an asset to the district”.

The Mella Public Hall no longer exists and it is not known if the building was either demolished or removed. I have yet to locate a photograph of the church or hall. 

The Circular Head Chronicle (1926)


Sources:

Advocate, Saturday 10 July 1926, page 4
Circular Head Chronicle, Wednesday 14 July 1946, page 5
Advocate, Tuesday 14 September 1926, page 4

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