No. 1556 - Westerway - Methodist Church (1921-1974)
Westerway is a township approximately 70 kilometres northwest of Hobart and is situated close to Mount Field National Park. Westerway was previously known as Russell or Russelldale, after the Surgeon J. J. Russell, one of a party of explorers who discovered a set of waterfalls near Fenton Forest.
Westerway was established after World war One. A report in 1921 described the settlement as having only “a score or so of unpainted weatherboard dwellings” and being “the product of only the last three years, since the coming of Martin and Co.'s mill [where] practically the whole male population above school age, are employed…”.
Although three religious denominations were represented at Westerway, no churches remain. In 2004 the Catholic church was destroyed in a fire while a church used by the Anglicans and Methodists has been removed.
Westerway’s Methodist church was opened and consecrated on Saturday 24 September 1921, the same day as the opening of a Methodist church at the neighbouring settlement at Fentonbury. In the early 20th century the Methodists were very active in the Upper Derwent district and churches were built at Glenora, National Park, Tyenna and Fitzgerald.
Very little information about the church is available and a single report in the Hobart newspaper, ‘World’, describes the opening of both the Westerway and Fentonbury buildings:
“Last Saturday was unique in the annals of Methodist Church history in the Upper Derwent district, being the occasion of the opening and consecrating of two new churches one at Fentonbury and one at Westerway. The first church was opened at Fentonbury. The chairman of the Methodist Synod (Rev. Corly Butler), assisted by Rev. G. Dugan, Rev. Roget, and Rev. W. T. Baker officiated. The Glenora church choir attended in full force, and added materially to the volume of voices, while Mr. Butters presided at the organ. There was a splendid gathering of people from surrounding districts. Rev. Corly Butler delivered a striking and spirited address on the progress of the Upper Derwent and its future possibilities….The ceremony was repeated at Westerway. Rev. Corly Butler thanked the ladies of both Fentonbury and Westerway for their generous hospitality in providing afternoon tea for visitors and friends. It is pleasing to note that both buildings are free of debt although more money will be required to attend to out-grounds, fencing, etc.”.
For reasons which are not clear the church was used by the Methodists for only a short time with services ceasing in 1935. The building was used by the Anglicans after this time although it briefly reopened for Methodist services in the 1950s. In 1961 it was again leased to the Anglicans. After Anglican services ceased the building was sold in 1974 for an amount of $300.
The church was located at 1665 Gordon Road and this site is now occupied by a house. A photograph of the building has yet to be located but I am hopeful that one exists given that the building was still standing in the 1970s.
Westerway was established after World war One. A report in 1921 described the settlement as having only “a score or so of unpainted weatherboard dwellings” and being “the product of only the last three years, since the coming of Martin and Co.'s mill [where] practically the whole male population above school age, are employed…”.
Although three religious denominations were represented at Westerway, no churches remain. In 2004 the Catholic church was destroyed in a fire while a church used by the Anglicans and Methodists has been removed.
Westerway’s Methodist church was opened and consecrated on Saturday 24 September 1921, the same day as the opening of a Methodist church at the neighbouring settlement at Fentonbury. In the early 20th century the Methodists were very active in the Upper Derwent district and churches were built at Glenora, National Park, Tyenna and Fitzgerald.
Very little information about the church is available and a single report in the Hobart newspaper, ‘World’, describes the opening of both the Westerway and Fentonbury buildings:
“Last Saturday was unique in the annals of Methodist Church history in the Upper Derwent district, being the occasion of the opening and consecrating of two new churches one at Fentonbury and one at Westerway. The first church was opened at Fentonbury. The chairman of the Methodist Synod (Rev. Corly Butler), assisted by Rev. G. Dugan, Rev. Roget, and Rev. W. T. Baker officiated. The Glenora church choir attended in full force, and added materially to the volume of voices, while Mr. Butters presided at the organ. There was a splendid gathering of people from surrounding districts. Rev. Corly Butler delivered a striking and spirited address on the progress of the Upper Derwent and its future possibilities….The ceremony was repeated at Westerway. Rev. Corly Butler thanked the ladies of both Fentonbury and Westerway for their generous hospitality in providing afternoon tea for visitors and friends. It is pleasing to note that both buildings are free of debt although more money will be required to attend to out-grounds, fencing, etc.”.
For reasons which are not clear the church was used by the Methodists for only a short time with services ceasing in 1935. The building was used by the Anglicans after this time although it briefly reopened for Methodist services in the 1950s. In 1961 it was again leased to the Anglicans. After Anglican services ceased the building was sold in 1974 for an amount of $300.
The church was located at 1665 Gordon Road and this site is now occupied by a house. A photograph of the building has yet to be located but I am hopeful that one exists given that the building was still standing in the 1970s.
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| The Mercury, September 1934 |
Sources:
The Mercury, Tuesday 25 January 1921, page 7
World, Tuesday 27 September 1921, page 8
The Mercury, Monday 24 October 1921, page 5
The Mercury, Thursday 19 December 1929, page 3
The Mercury, Tuesday 18 September 1934, page 3
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
Westerway, Fentonbury, Ellendale and surrounds, [Tasmania] : Valerie and Michelle J. Browning, [2023]
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