No. 1533 - North Hobart - Strahan Street Gospel Hall (1927)

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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 the annual records published in the Hobart street directory. From recollections of local residents the hall was functioning until the early 1960s after which it was sold and converted into a house.  

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. It is probably linked to an independent Christian Brethren group, records for which are virtually non-existent.

Please leave a comment below if you know anything further about this building.

18 Strahan Street, North Hobart. (Google street-view 2024)

Another view of the former hall reveals two narrow windows which would have flanked a large entrance to the building. (Google Street-view 2024)

The building at 19 Strahan Street is first identified as a Gospel Hall in the 1927 Post Office Street Directory. The block was vacant before this date. 



Sources:

Wise's Tasmania post office directory 1927
Wise's Tasmania post office directory 1948


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