No. 1584 - Geeveston - Church of Christ (1906-1978)
Geeveston is a country town on the Huon Highway approximately 45 kilometres south of Hobart. The town is named after William Geeves, an English settler, who received a land grant at what was then called Lightwood Bottom. The settlement was renamed Geeves Town in 1861 before becoming Geeveston.
The Church of Christ has had a limited presence in the Southwest of Tasmania and the denomination was centred in the North and North West of the State as well as on the Tasman Peninsula and in Hobart. The Church of Christ arrived in Tasmania in the 1870s and established itself first in Launceston and Hobart. Initially the denomination was simply known as the ‘Christians' then from 1885 as 'Disciples of Christ' and finally as 'Churches of Christ'. The Churches of Christ believed that Christian communities should be similar to those described in the New Testament, simple and with autonomous congregations. The Church of Christ has similarities with the Christian Brethren although it is influenced by American rather than British churches.
The foundation stone for the Geeveston Church of Christ was ceremonially laid at a site on Brownell Street on Saturday 31 March 1906. The Mercury reported:
“The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Church of Christ took place on March 31. A fairly large congregation assembled, and the stone was declared to be "faithfully laid to the glory of God" by Mrs. Richard Thompson, one of the first members. Between £9 and £10 were voluntarily placed on the stone. The evangelist, W. J. Way, referred to the success of the cause in Geeveston, and said the stone was laid that day as ensign of peace and goodwill toward men…The Scriptures read and hymns sung were suitable to the occasion”.
The church was officially dedicated on Sunday 17 June 1906. The Mercury provides the only surviving description of the event:
“An interesting and successful series of meetings has been held here in connection with the opening of the new chapel erected by the Church of Christ adherents in this town. The building is a neat wooden structure, splendidly situated, and seated to accommodate about 200 people".
"On Saturday, June 16, a public social was held in the hall. Mr. W. J. Way (the evangelist of the church) presided. On the platform were Messrs. W. R. C. Jarvis, M.H.A., Rev. Bongers (Congregational), A. E. Illingworth (evangelist from Sydney), T. Pryor, and J. Rodd (of Hobart). The hall was full, about 350 people being present. The chairman explained the object of the meeting and the progress of the church. Mr. F. Sharp (treasurer) read the financial statement, and excellent speeches and musical items were given. The meeting dispersed at a late hour".
"On June 17 the dedication services were held in the chapel, and wore all well attended and eminently successful. The speakers throughout the day were Messrs. G. Smith and T. Pryor (of Hobart), and W. J. Way (evangelist). The afternoon and evening services were addressed by Mr. A. E. Illingworth, of Sydney, who is now conducting a 11 days’ mission in conjunction with Mr. Way. Miss May Brown, of Hobart, contributed some beautiful solos at the respective services".
"The progress of the church has been very steady, and the future prospects would seem to be brighter than ever. The visitors from Impression Bay, Bream Creek, Port Esperance, and a large contingent from Hobart, all assisted to make the opening meetings as enjoyable as they have been”.
In 1978 the Church of Christ amalgamated with the Geeveston Congregational Church which had opted out of joining the new Uniting Church in the previous year. The combined congregations in time became the Geeveston Community Church and met in the old Congregational church. The old Brownell Street church was sold and the building was redeveloped into a house.
Sources:
Mercury, Thursday 5 April 1906, page 7
Mercury, Saturday 23 June 1906, page 2
https://www.geevestonprogressassociation.com/knowledge-base/geeveston-churches
The Church of Christ has had a limited presence in the Southwest of Tasmania and the denomination was centred in the North and North West of the State as well as on the Tasman Peninsula and in Hobart. The Church of Christ arrived in Tasmania in the 1870s and established itself first in Launceston and Hobart. Initially the denomination was simply known as the ‘Christians' then from 1885 as 'Disciples of Christ' and finally as 'Churches of Christ'. The Churches of Christ believed that Christian communities should be similar to those described in the New Testament, simple and with autonomous congregations. The Church of Christ has similarities with the Christian Brethren although it is influenced by American rather than British churches.
The foundation stone for the Geeveston Church of Christ was ceremonially laid at a site on Brownell Street on Saturday 31 March 1906. The Mercury reported:
“The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Church of Christ took place on March 31. A fairly large congregation assembled, and the stone was declared to be "faithfully laid to the glory of God" by Mrs. Richard Thompson, one of the first members. Between £9 and £10 were voluntarily placed on the stone. The evangelist, W. J. Way, referred to the success of the cause in Geeveston, and said the stone was laid that day as ensign of peace and goodwill toward men…The Scriptures read and hymns sung were suitable to the occasion”.
The church was officially dedicated on Sunday 17 June 1906. The Mercury provides the only surviving description of the event:
“An interesting and successful series of meetings has been held here in connection with the opening of the new chapel erected by the Church of Christ adherents in this town. The building is a neat wooden structure, splendidly situated, and seated to accommodate about 200 people".
"On Saturday, June 16, a public social was held in the hall. Mr. W. J. Way (the evangelist of the church) presided. On the platform were Messrs. W. R. C. Jarvis, M.H.A., Rev. Bongers (Congregational), A. E. Illingworth (evangelist from Sydney), T. Pryor, and J. Rodd (of Hobart). The hall was full, about 350 people being present. The chairman explained the object of the meeting and the progress of the church. Mr. F. Sharp (treasurer) read the financial statement, and excellent speeches and musical items were given. The meeting dispersed at a late hour".
"On June 17 the dedication services were held in the chapel, and wore all well attended and eminently successful. The speakers throughout the day were Messrs. G. Smith and T. Pryor (of Hobart), and W. J. Way (evangelist). The afternoon and evening services were addressed by Mr. A. E. Illingworth, of Sydney, who is now conducting a 11 days’ mission in conjunction with Mr. Way. Miss May Brown, of Hobart, contributed some beautiful solos at the respective services".
"The progress of the church has been very steady, and the future prospects would seem to be brighter than ever. The visitors from Impression Bay, Bream Creek, Port Esperance, and a large contingent from Hobart, all assisted to make the opening meetings as enjoyable as they have been”.
In 1978 the Church of Christ amalgamated with the Geeveston Congregational Church which had opted out of joining the new Uniting Church in the previous year. The combined congregations in time became the Geeveston Community Church and met in the old Congregational church. The old Brownell Street church was sold and the building was redeveloped into a house.
Mercury, Thursday 5 April 1906, page 7
Mercury, Saturday 23 June 1906, page 2
https://www.geevestonprogressassociation.com/knowledge-base/geeveston-churches
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