No. 1649 - Snug - St Mary's Catholic Church (1858-1898)
Snug is situated on the Channel Highway, approximately 25 kilometres south of Hobart. The name is believed to have come from sailors who found 'snug' anchorage for their ships. The earliest settler, John Dunn (1790-1861), took up a land grant on ‘Snug River’ in 1837. Around the 1840s and 1850s a small settlement was established at what was then called “The Snug” or “Snug River”
The first of three Catholic churches was built at Snug in 1858. All that is known about the church is that it was opened and blessed by Bishop Willson on 21 June 1858. A single account of the event provides a few details about the church, which also served as a school:
“The lovers of education of and religious progress will be rejoiced to learn that this small township can now boast of having a church and school. His Lordship the Right Rev. Dr. Willson, Bishop of Hobart Town, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Hunter, opened the church and consecrated a burial ground, on Tuesday last, the 21inst. The Bishop delivered an eloquent and impressive discourse to about a hundred people, on the uncertainty of human life, and the necessity of a holy one, and showing good example, also earnestly enjoined parents to send their children punctually to the school, and that it was folly to excuse themselves in keeping them at home, by saying they required their services, which could be done with out”.
“The school is carried on in the church, under a government schoolmaster, whose pittance is not sufficient to keep body and soul together—this should be altered, and the educational departmental regulations with reference to country schoolmasters. It must be a source of gratification to the Catholic community in having a Bishop who to the wants of his flock, and whose age yet admits of him journeying on horseback 40 miles in one day, as he did on the occasion herein referred to. May he live long to instruct, and be a shining example to his community”.
It is unusual for a State school to be housed in a Catholic church and it would appear that this arrangement continued until the early 1880s when a government school was built. As of the church itself, very little is known. Mention of it is rare in Hobart’s newspapers and it is unclear if the church was in fact even dedicated to St Mary, the name of its successor. An advertisement placed in the Mercury in June 1875, informing of a four day “mission” held led by Father Julian Tenison Woods, refers to the building as the Snug River Catholic Church.
The building was still standing in 1897 when a new church was built and Mass was held in the old church before the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone by Bishop Delany. How long the building remained after the new church opened in 1898 is not known. I have yet to come across a photograph of the building and it is possible that one may have survived.
Sources:
The first of three Catholic churches was built at Snug in 1858. All that is known about the church is that it was opened and blessed by Bishop Willson on 21 June 1858. A single account of the event provides a few details about the church, which also served as a school:
“The lovers of education of and religious progress will be rejoiced to learn that this small township can now boast of having a church and school. His Lordship the Right Rev. Dr. Willson, Bishop of Hobart Town, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Hunter, opened the church and consecrated a burial ground, on Tuesday last, the 21inst. The Bishop delivered an eloquent and impressive discourse to about a hundred people, on the uncertainty of human life, and the necessity of a holy one, and showing good example, also earnestly enjoined parents to send their children punctually to the school, and that it was folly to excuse themselves in keeping them at home, by saying they required their services, which could be done with out”.
“The school is carried on in the church, under a government schoolmaster, whose pittance is not sufficient to keep body and soul together—this should be altered, and the educational departmental regulations with reference to country schoolmasters. It must be a source of gratification to the Catholic community in having a Bishop who to the wants of his flock, and whose age yet admits of him journeying on horseback 40 miles in one day, as he did on the occasion herein referred to. May he live long to instruct, and be a shining example to his community”.
It is unusual for a State school to be housed in a Catholic church and it would appear that this arrangement continued until the early 1880s when a government school was built. As of the church itself, very little is known. Mention of it is rare in Hobart’s newspapers and it is unclear if the church was in fact even dedicated to St Mary, the name of its successor. An advertisement placed in the Mercury in June 1875, informing of a four day “mission” held led by Father Julian Tenison Woods, refers to the building as the Snug River Catholic Church.
The building was still standing in 1897 when a new church was built and Mass was held in the old church before the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone by Bishop Delany. How long the building remained after the new church opened in 1898 is not known. I have yet to come across a photograph of the building and it is possible that one may have survived.
 |
| The Mercury, Friday 11 June 1875 |
 |
| The church's cemetery (which is non-denominal) was blessed by Bishop Willson at the time of the opening of the church in 1858. |
 |
| The Snug State School was built in the early 1880s. The Catholic church was previously used a schoolroom. Source: Libraries Tasmania - Item Number PH30/1/3892 |
Sources:
Hobart Town Advertiser, Wednesday 29 June 1859, page 2
The Mercury, Tuesday 8 June 1875, page 2
The Mercury, Friday 11 June 1875, page 3
Mercury, Tuesday 23 February 1897, page 3
Southerwood, W. T., 1938-. Priceless heritage : the Tasmanian Catholic community 1772-2010 / by W. T. Southerwood Stella Maris Books St. Leonards, Tas. 2010
Comments
Post a Comment