Churches of Tasmania

Newnham is a northern suburb of the city of Launceston. Newnham was originally part of the municipality of Lilydale before it was proclaimed a town in 1946. There are several active Christian communities in Newnham including a Uniting Church, an Anglican church and a Church of Christ. The Newnham Fellowship is located in the premises of a former Catholic Church, Our Lady Help of Christians, which opened in 1968. Newnham Fellowship falls under the umbrella of the Association of Christian Community Churches in Victoria and Tasmania. The association describes itself as “a movement of like-minded local churches, predominantly of a Christian Brethren heritage, that have united under a common vision and mission, set of beliefs and core values”. The Christian Brethren, originated in Great Britain in the 1820s. By the mid 19th century the movement had spread to Australia, with the first revival meetings held in Tasmania from 1869. As a result, fellowships were formed in Hobart, Launceston, t...

Ridgley lies approximately 15 kilometres south of the city of Burnie and in recent years the settlement has become a commuter suburb. Ridgley was originally a small farming centre established in the 1880’s by the Van Diemen's Land Company. The town has been well served by a number of religious denominations including Anglican, Methodist, Catholic and Christian Brethren. The Ridgley Bible Chapel, previously known as the Hebron Hall, was established in 1941 by a group of ‘evangelical Christians’. In September of that year the Advocate reported: “For the past month or so residents of Ridgley have been interested in the erection of a new hall by a company of Christians which formerly met in the Public Hall. The building is now ready for use, and special meetings to celebrate the opening will be held over this weekend…. A large number of visitors are expected from all parts of the island, and the public is invited to attend these and subsequent services” . While the opening services he...