No. 1542 - Beaconsfield - Presbyterian Church (1882-1908)
Beaconsfield is a former gold mining town in the the Tamar River Valley and lies approximately 40 kilometres north of Launceston. Commercial gold mining began in the 1870s which led to a boom in the town’s population. Originally known as Brandy Creek, the township was renamed Beaconsfield in 1879 in honour of British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield.
The establishment of Beaconsfields first Presbyterian church dates to October 1881 when when a group of three women began fundraising to build a place of worship. Land for the church was donated by Mr William Ritchie and was built by a local contractor, Mr G. Walters.
The church was officially opened on Sunday 14 May 1882. There is no published record of the opening service however local newspapers recorded a fundraising meeting held the day after the opening:
“The opening services of the new Presbyterian Church were held on Sunday last, by the Rev. John Lyle, of Launceston. On Monday evening, a tea and public meeting were held, which despite the inclement weather prevailing, was well attended, the room being comfortably filled. As I mentioned some time [ago] this church is unfinished inside, the pastor and trustees being adverse to debt, but the ladies, by means of drapery, ferns, and floral designs, to a certain extent, hid the garishness of the unlined walls, or at all events, diverted the eyes from them…..”.
As a result of the tea-meeting the outstanding debt on the building was reduced to £12 which enabled the completion of lining the church’s interior.
In 1891 the church came close to being destroyed when a fire broke out in a neighbouring building. However a second fire in March 1908 completely destroyed the church after a fire started in the kitchen of nearby business. The Launceston Examiner reported:
“One of the most disastrous fires that have occurred here for many years happened this morning about 3.30. The fire whistle blew at 1.45 a.m., and very soon a large crowd gathered, but nothing could be done to save the buildings. The fire started in Forsyth's cycling shop, or rather in the kitchen at the back of the shop…. The Presbyterian Church which was about 30ft. from Forsyth's and was covered with shingles, was soon a mass of 'flames, and nothing was saved. The organ, forms, etc., were all lost. The church had only recently been renovated, at a cost of about £40, and will be a great loss to the congregation. Mr Zanker, who carries on the business of a cabinetmaker, and was only separated from the church by a few feet, next fell a victim to the fire fiend. Plenty of willing helpers, however, saved the contents of the shop and house…. Another house, occupied by Mr Williams, …was saved by a number of men keeping blankets saturated with water hung on the walls. The police, under Sergeant Harris, were present, and saw that the furniture was removed to the Presbyterian manse, which is empty, and Mr Zanker and his family were allowed to occupy the manse for the present. The Presbyterians are arranging to continue services and Sunday school in, the Masonic Hall until a new church is erected”.
The church was quickly rebuilt and reopened in September 1908. The history of the new church is the subject of a previous article posted on the ‘Churches of Tasmania’ blog.
Sources:
Launceston Examiner, Monday 15 May 1882, page 2
Launceston Examiner, Wednesday 17 May 1882, page 3
Tasmanian, Saturday 20 May 1882, page 539
Mercury, Monday 22 May 1882, page 1
Launceston Examiner, Saturday 7 March 1891, page 1
Examiner, Wednesday 4 March 1908, page 5
The establishment of Beaconsfields first Presbyterian church dates to October 1881 when when a group of three women began fundraising to build a place of worship. Land for the church was donated by Mr William Ritchie and was built by a local contractor, Mr G. Walters.
The church was officially opened on Sunday 14 May 1882. There is no published record of the opening service however local newspapers recorded a fundraising meeting held the day after the opening:
“The opening services of the new Presbyterian Church were held on Sunday last, by the Rev. John Lyle, of Launceston. On Monday evening, a tea and public meeting were held, which despite the inclement weather prevailing, was well attended, the room being comfortably filled. As I mentioned some time [ago] this church is unfinished inside, the pastor and trustees being adverse to debt, but the ladies, by means of drapery, ferns, and floral designs, to a certain extent, hid the garishness of the unlined walls, or at all events, diverted the eyes from them…..”.
As a result of the tea-meeting the outstanding debt on the building was reduced to £12 which enabled the completion of lining the church’s interior.
In 1891 the church came close to being destroyed when a fire broke out in a neighbouring building. However a second fire in March 1908 completely destroyed the church after a fire started in the kitchen of nearby business. The Launceston Examiner reported:
“One of the most disastrous fires that have occurred here for many years happened this morning about 3.30. The fire whistle blew at 1.45 a.m., and very soon a large crowd gathered, but nothing could be done to save the buildings. The fire started in Forsyth's cycling shop, or rather in the kitchen at the back of the shop…. The Presbyterian Church which was about 30ft. from Forsyth's and was covered with shingles, was soon a mass of 'flames, and nothing was saved. The organ, forms, etc., were all lost. The church had only recently been renovated, at a cost of about £40, and will be a great loss to the congregation. Mr Zanker, who carries on the business of a cabinetmaker, and was only separated from the church by a few feet, next fell a victim to the fire fiend. Plenty of willing helpers, however, saved the contents of the shop and house…. Another house, occupied by Mr Williams, …was saved by a number of men keeping blankets saturated with water hung on the walls. The police, under Sergeant Harris, were present, and saw that the furniture was removed to the Presbyterian manse, which is empty, and Mr Zanker and his family were allowed to occupy the manse for the present. The Presbyterians are arranging to continue services and Sunday school in, the Masonic Hall until a new church is erected”.
The church was quickly rebuilt and reopened in September 1908. The history of the new church is the subject of a previous article posted on the ‘Churches of Tasmania’ blog.
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| A partial view of the first Presbyterian church at Beaconsfield. This is the only known image of the building. Source: Libraries Tasmania - Item number: PH30-1-4069P17 |
Sources:
Launceston Examiner, Monday 15 May 1882, page 2
Launceston Examiner, Wednesday 17 May 1882, page 3
Tasmanian, Saturday 20 May 1882, page 539
Mercury, Monday 22 May 1882, page 1
Launceston Examiner, Saturday 7 March 1891, page 1
Examiner, Wednesday 4 March 1908, page 5
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