No. 40 - The Scottish National Church Launceston - A Dutch Face Hiding A Scottish Body
This striking Federation Anglo-Dutch style building in lower Charles Street does not look much like a church. The reason for this is that it has been converted into commercial premises and has had a significant facelift. This was once the Scottish National Church, one of many 'hidden' former churches in Launceston. It is the predecessor to St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church at the corner of St. John and Patterson Streets, which replaced the Scotch Church when it opened in 1850. In April 1831, Scottish residents in Launceston decided to build a place of worship. By October 1833 the building was completed and opened, the first minister being the Rev. James Anderson. In the interim services had been conducted in a house in Cameron Street and also in the Courthouse. It was not long before the church proved too small for the congregation and in 1849 a grant of land at the corner of St. John and Patterson Streets, where the watch house once stood, was obtained from the Government. On...