No. 1532 - Broadmeadows - Baptist Church (1914)
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 may be used as a day school for the settlers’ children, as such is now badly needed”.
By May 1914 considerable progress had been made towards completing the church. The Daily Mail reported:
“Last Tuesday efforts were made by the Baptists at Mowbray Swamp, under the supervision of the Rev. R. Steel, of Stanley, to erect a church in a day. About fifteen workers turned up, as well as a large number of ladies, who provided the commissariat department, about two ladies to feed every man, consequently success appeared to be spelt in large letters, but unfortunately the weather in the afternoon was responsible for only half the work being completed. However on Tuesday, provided the weather is right, the building will be completed and ready for service the following Sunday”.
The church was indeed completed as predicted and officially opened on Sunday 24 May. The Circular Head Chronicle reported:
“On Sunday afternoon last the Baptist folk opened their new church at Mowbray Swamp. The building is a credit to the working bee. Rev. R. Steel delivered a stirring address to a full church. The ground was the gift of Mr T. Edwards, and I am given to understand the building is to be used as a school. This is also a step forward for the settlers of that portion of our district.”
In December 1914 the Circular Head Chronicle reported that the church had “been nicely painted, mainly due to a donation by Mr. A. Howard”.
The proposal that the church be used as a “day school” never came to fruition. In 1918 a public hall was built to be jointly used as a Methodist church and a public school. The history of this building will be discussed in another article.
The Baptists remained active at Broadmeadows until at least the late 1930s. In February 1937 the Advocate reported that the founder of the church, Reverend Steel, preached his last sermon at the Broadmeadows Baptist Church, following his transferral to Deloraine. The last recorded service at the church took place on 9 May 1937.
I have yet to confirm the church's location but it was probably at the junction of the Bass Highway and Mella Road. I have still to find a photograph of the building or determine what became of it after services ceased at Broadmeadows.
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 may be used as a day school for the settlers’ children, as such is now badly needed”.
By May 1914 considerable progress had been made towards completing the church. The Daily Mail reported:
“Last Tuesday efforts were made by the Baptists at Mowbray Swamp, under the supervision of the Rev. R. Steel, of Stanley, to erect a church in a day. About fifteen workers turned up, as well as a large number of ladies, who provided the commissariat department, about two ladies to feed every man, consequently success appeared to be spelt in large letters, but unfortunately the weather in the afternoon was responsible for only half the work being completed. However on Tuesday, provided the weather is right, the building will be completed and ready for service the following Sunday”.
The church was indeed completed as predicted and officially opened on Sunday 24 May. The Circular Head Chronicle reported:
“On Sunday afternoon last the Baptist folk opened their new church at Mowbray Swamp. The building is a credit to the working bee. Rev. R. Steel delivered a stirring address to a full church. The ground was the gift of Mr T. Edwards, and I am given to understand the building is to be used as a school. This is also a step forward for the settlers of that portion of our district.”
In December 1914 the Circular Head Chronicle reported that the church had “been nicely painted, mainly due to a donation by Mr. A. Howard”.
The proposal that the church be used as a “day school” never came to fruition. In 1918 a public hall was built to be jointly used as a Methodist church and a public school. The history of this building will be discussed in another article.
The Baptists remained active at Broadmeadows until at least the late 1930s. In February 1937 the Advocate reported that the founder of the church, Reverend Steel, preached his last sermon at the Broadmeadows Baptist Church, following his transferral to Deloraine. The last recorded service at the church took place on 9 May 1937.
I have yet to confirm the church's location but it was probably at the junction of the Bass Highway and Mella Road. I have still to find a photograph of the building or determine what became of it after services ceased at Broadmeadows.
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| Daily Telegraph, Wednesday 20 May 1914 |
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| The cheese factory at Broadmeadows. Source: Circular Head Heritage Centre - Object number: CHH_00394 (eheritage.libraries.tas.gov.au) |
Sources:
Circular Head Chronicle, Wednesday 4 March 1914, page 3
Daily Telegraph, Wednesday 20 May 1914, page 2
Circular Head Chronicle, Wednesday 27 May 1914, page 2
Circular Head Chronicle, Wednesday 9 December 1914, page 5
Daily Telegraph, Thursday 22 May 1924, page 5
Circular Head Chronicle, Wednesday 14 March 1914, page 3
Circular Head Chronicle, Wednesday 7 February 1937, page 6
Circular Head Chronicle, Wednesday 12 May 1937, page 2
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