No. 1639 - Latrobe - Church of Christ - Meeting House (1887 - 1892)
Latrobe is a large country town on the east bank of the River Mersey. The settlement was named after Charles LaTrobe, acting Lieutenant-Governor of Tasmania in 1846-7. Until the River Mersey silted up Latrobe was an important port town.
The first members of the Church of Christ, Richard Fairlam and his wife Eliza, arrived in Tasmania in 1865 and established a fellowship at Northdown, a rural area 12 kilometres North-east of Latrobe. Initially Fairlam’s followers simply called themselves the “Christians”. They were later known as the "Disciples of Christ” and after 1885 became the ‘Church of Christ’. Fairlam moved to Latrobe in 1872 where he established a new fellowship. Although the fellowship at Northdown ended, a new fellowship was established at New Ground and a Christian Meeting House was built there in 1880. [see No. 1084] This predates the Meeting House built at Latrobe in 1887.
Latrobe’s Meeting House was situated on Gilbert Street, alongside the Fairlam’s house (close to the old railway station). The building was officially opened on Sunday 9 January 1887. The occasion is recorded in some detail in an article published in the Devon Herald:
“This place of worship was opened on Sunday last, the services commencing at the river, where two believers were immersed in the name of Jesus. During the forenoon the Church met in the convenient and well ventilated building for breaking bread and the two young sisters were welcomed with the right hand of fellowship, several members taking part in the service. Mr. G. B. Moysey preached in the evening on “What must I do to be saved?” and opened the subject, which is to be continued on Tuesday evening at 8 o'clock. There were about 70 persons present during the evening. The new Meeting Place is built of hardwood, dimensions 40ft x 20ft, is floured and lined throughout of pine, and has a very neat and comfortable appearance. Mr. Bellion was the builder, and his work has given satisfaction. Contrary to general rule the room is furnished with a fireplace, which will make church-going a pleasure in wintertime. The seats are made of Tasmanian myrtle, which look very pretty and very light, whilst possessing the qualities of strength and endurance. The use of this timber (myrtle) is an experiment to test its qualities as a furniture wood, and these forms have been so made as to allow the shrinkage (if any) to brace rather than weaken the work. The exterior of the building is plain, but substantial, and the Church of Christ have certainly a meeting place that, lacking anything architecturally artistic, will be one of the most comfortable in the town”.
The history of the Meeting House is not well recorded. In 1891 the construction of a railway siding for Latrobe’s wharf necessitated the removal of the Meeting House. After some negotiation, an agreement was reached enabling the relocation of the building to a new site. In January 1892 the North Coast Standard’s report on the monthly meeting of the Latrobe Chamber of Commerce states:
“A letter was read from the trustees of the Latrobe Christian’s Meeting Place, stating that they were willing to accept the allotment offered by Mr Back in Hamilton street, next to the land for the Technical School in exchange for “such land as may be required” for the wharf siding, the building to be removed by the trustees themselves at the expense of the Chamber, which would not exceed £50…”.
In fact the building was never moved to Hamilton Street. In July 1892 a tender was advertised for the sale and removal of the Meeting House. In the ‘Jubilee Pictorial History of Churches of Christ in Australasia’ (1903) it states that after the Latrobe Meeting Place was sold "the church met in Bro. Fairlam’s home”. Furthermore it added: “Owing to many removals, its membership has been reduced to sixteen, six of whom only are resident in Latrobe”. It is likely that the decline in the membership of the church made it expedient to sell the building rather than remove it.
Ultimately Richard Fairlam’s death in May 1905 brought an end to the Church of Christ community at Latrobe. Shortly after Fairlam’s death a new church had been established at nearby Devonport, reflecting the decline of Latrobe as a port town.
Richard Fairlam’s obituary, published in North Western Advocate and the Emu Bay Times, reveals that apart from his role in bringing the Church of Christ to Tasmania, he made a significant contribution to the Latrobe community.
Death of Mr B. C. Fairlam. A Prominent Resident of Latrobe
“At about half-past three yesterday morning Mr Richard Charles Fairlam, of Latrobe, one of the town's oldest and most highly respected residents, passed to the great majority…..Deceased was a freeman of the city of London, having been born in the great metropolis in the year 1830. His father was a jeweller in one of the leading thoroughfares of London. In the gold digging days Mr Fairlam was tempted as a young man to come out to Australia to try his fortune, and after residing for awhile in Victoria be came over to Tasmania and commenced farming in the Northdown district. In those days he did not find this to be a profitable venture, so, more than thirty years ago, he moved to Latrobe, where he resided to the day of his death. His first commercial position in the town was a clerk to Mr Allen, who kept an auction mart in what is now known as the 'Old Town Hall.' Afterwards he managed a large corn and flour store for the late Mr Kelcey, of Spreyton, and then he started business for himself in the same line.
Deceased was a man who took a great interest in many public matters, especially those that he deemed helpful to the progress and sobriety of the community. For several years he held the office of secretary of the North- Western Agricultural Association, and he was also chairman of the now defunct Chamber of Commerce. On the decease of the Rev C. Roberts, Mr Fairlam was appointed honorary manager of the Devon Cottage Hospital. Another office that he held for many years was that of chairman and secretary of the Public Cemetery Trust. He was an ardent temperance advocate and a leading spirit in the local Band of Hope. Many of the older residents will also remember how useful the deceased was with his homeopathic medicines prior to the time that Latrobe was favoured with resident medicos, and so successful was be with his treatment, especially during an epidemic of scarlet fever, that the townspeople presented him with a book as a mark of their appreciation of his services.
Deceased was an elder of the Church of Christ and it was mainly through his endeavours that a place of worship was erected for the Disciples of Christ. Such had been the experiences of Mr Fairlam in the 'old country ' and in Victoria that it was always a pleasure to listen to his reminiscences, as he had a most pleasing and interesting way of telling them. And he could tell also many incidents about folks and places in this part of Tasmania that were well worth listening to. By his genial manner and sterling character he had won the esteem and respect of the whole community, and the news of his death will be received with regret by a large circle of friends….”.
The first members of the Church of Christ, Richard Fairlam and his wife Eliza, arrived in Tasmania in 1865 and established a fellowship at Northdown, a rural area 12 kilometres North-east of Latrobe. Initially Fairlam’s followers simply called themselves the “Christians”. They were later known as the "Disciples of Christ” and after 1885 became the ‘Church of Christ’. Fairlam moved to Latrobe in 1872 where he established a new fellowship. Although the fellowship at Northdown ended, a new fellowship was established at New Ground and a Christian Meeting House was built there in 1880. [see No. 1084] This predates the Meeting House built at Latrobe in 1887.
Latrobe’s Meeting House was situated on Gilbert Street, alongside the Fairlam’s house (close to the old railway station). The building was officially opened on Sunday 9 January 1887. The occasion is recorded in some detail in an article published in the Devon Herald:
“This place of worship was opened on Sunday last, the services commencing at the river, where two believers were immersed in the name of Jesus. During the forenoon the Church met in the convenient and well ventilated building for breaking bread and the two young sisters were welcomed with the right hand of fellowship, several members taking part in the service. Mr. G. B. Moysey preached in the evening on “What must I do to be saved?” and opened the subject, which is to be continued on Tuesday evening at 8 o'clock. There were about 70 persons present during the evening. The new Meeting Place is built of hardwood, dimensions 40ft x 20ft, is floured and lined throughout of pine, and has a very neat and comfortable appearance. Mr. Bellion was the builder, and his work has given satisfaction. Contrary to general rule the room is furnished with a fireplace, which will make church-going a pleasure in wintertime. The seats are made of Tasmanian myrtle, which look very pretty and very light, whilst possessing the qualities of strength and endurance. The use of this timber (myrtle) is an experiment to test its qualities as a furniture wood, and these forms have been so made as to allow the shrinkage (if any) to brace rather than weaken the work. The exterior of the building is plain, but substantial, and the Church of Christ have certainly a meeting place that, lacking anything architecturally artistic, will be one of the most comfortable in the town”.
The history of the Meeting House is not well recorded. In 1891 the construction of a railway siding for Latrobe’s wharf necessitated the removal of the Meeting House. After some negotiation, an agreement was reached enabling the relocation of the building to a new site. In January 1892 the North Coast Standard’s report on the monthly meeting of the Latrobe Chamber of Commerce states:
“A letter was read from the trustees of the Latrobe Christian’s Meeting Place, stating that they were willing to accept the allotment offered by Mr Back in Hamilton street, next to the land for the Technical School in exchange for “such land as may be required” for the wharf siding, the building to be removed by the trustees themselves at the expense of the Chamber, which would not exceed £50…”.
In fact the building was never moved to Hamilton Street. In July 1892 a tender was advertised for the sale and removal of the Meeting House. In the ‘Jubilee Pictorial History of Churches of Christ in Australasia’ (1903) it states that after the Latrobe Meeting Place was sold "the church met in Bro. Fairlam’s home”. Furthermore it added: “Owing to many removals, its membership has been reduced to sixteen, six of whom only are resident in Latrobe”. It is likely that the decline in the membership of the church made it expedient to sell the building rather than remove it.
Ultimately Richard Fairlam’s death in May 1905 brought an end to the Church of Christ community at Latrobe. Shortly after Fairlam’s death a new church had been established at nearby Devonport, reflecting the decline of Latrobe as a port town.
Richard Fairlam’s obituary, published in North Western Advocate and the Emu Bay Times, reveals that apart from his role in bringing the Church of Christ to Tasmania, he made a significant contribution to the Latrobe community.
Death of Mr B. C. Fairlam. A Prominent Resident of Latrobe
“At about half-past three yesterday morning Mr Richard Charles Fairlam, of Latrobe, one of the town's oldest and most highly respected residents, passed to the great majority…..Deceased was a freeman of the city of London, having been born in the great metropolis in the year 1830. His father was a jeweller in one of the leading thoroughfares of London. In the gold digging days Mr Fairlam was tempted as a young man to come out to Australia to try his fortune, and after residing for awhile in Victoria be came over to Tasmania and commenced farming in the Northdown district. In those days he did not find this to be a profitable venture, so, more than thirty years ago, he moved to Latrobe, where he resided to the day of his death. His first commercial position in the town was a clerk to Mr Allen, who kept an auction mart in what is now known as the 'Old Town Hall.' Afterwards he managed a large corn and flour store for the late Mr Kelcey, of Spreyton, and then he started business for himself in the same line.
Deceased was a man who took a great interest in many public matters, especially those that he deemed helpful to the progress and sobriety of the community. For several years he held the office of secretary of the North- Western Agricultural Association, and he was also chairman of the now defunct Chamber of Commerce. On the decease of the Rev C. Roberts, Mr Fairlam was appointed honorary manager of the Devon Cottage Hospital. Another office that he held for many years was that of chairman and secretary of the Public Cemetery Trust. He was an ardent temperance advocate and a leading spirit in the local Band of Hope. Many of the older residents will also remember how useful the deceased was with his homeopathic medicines prior to the time that Latrobe was favoured with resident medicos, and so successful was be with his treatment, especially during an epidemic of scarlet fever, that the townspeople presented him with a book as a mark of their appreciation of his services.
Deceased was an elder of the Church of Christ and it was mainly through his endeavours that a place of worship was erected for the Disciples of Christ. Such had been the experiences of Mr Fairlam in the 'old country ' and in Victoria that it was always a pleasure to listen to his reminiscences, as he had a most pleasing and interesting way of telling them. And he could tell also many incidents about folks and places in this part of Tasmania that were well worth listening to. By his genial manner and sterling character he had won the esteem and respect of the whole community, and the news of his death will be received with regret by a large circle of friends….”.
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| Devon Herald, Friday 28 January 1887 |
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| Jubilee pictorial history of Churches of Christ in Australasia |
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| North Western Advocate and the Emu Bay Times Friday 12 May 1905 |
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| Richard Fairlam's headstone in the Latrobe General Cemetery - Photograph: Findagrave |
Sources:
Devon Herald, Friday 7 January 1887, page 2
Devon Herald, Tuesday 11 January 1887, page 2
The Mercury, Saturday 15 January 1887, page 4
Devon Herald, Friday 28 January 1887, page 3
North West Post, Thursday 23 July 1891, page 2
North Coast Standard, Wednesday 20 January 1892, page 2
North Coast Standard, Wednesday 23 April 1892, page 2
North Coast Standard, Wednesday 20 April 1892, page 2
North West Post, Thursday 21 July 1892, page 3
North Western Advocate and the Emu Bay Times, Friday 12 May 1905, page 3
Maston, A. B. Jubilee pictorial history of Churches of Christ in Australasia / edited by A.B. Maston Austral Publishing Co Melbourne 1903
Devon Herald, Friday 7 January 1887, page 2
Devon Herald, Tuesday 11 January 1887, page 2
The Mercury, Saturday 15 January 1887, page 4
Devon Herald, Friday 28 January 1887, page 3
North West Post, Thursday 23 July 1891, page 2
North Coast Standard, Wednesday 20 January 1892, page 2
North Coast Standard, Wednesday 23 April 1892, page 2
North Coast Standard, Wednesday 20 April 1892, page 2
North West Post, Thursday 21 July 1892, page 3
North Western Advocate and the Emu Bay Times, Friday 12 May 1905, page 3
Maston, A. B. Jubilee pictorial history of Churches of Christ in Australasia / edited by A.B. Maston Austral Publishing Co Melbourne 1903
It was interesting to read about the experiment to test Tasmanian Myrtle's qualities as a furniture wood, which is now recognised as excellent for this purpose by local cabinet makers and artisans! I wonder what became of that myrtle seating?
ReplyDeleteI was going to edit that bit out but then thought it must have been important to the person who wrote this almost 140 years ago. These little details bring history to life. They might have gone to the Meeting Place at Northdown or maybe the Devonport church? It would be nice if they have survived.
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