(former) Christian Mission Church

Dscn6158

Opened 6 June 1880. In Wellington Street, behind the large Reed Memorial Baptist Church.  Originally, a skittle alley occupied the site and this was converted by Henry Reed into a Mission Church with Sunday School. After a couple of years, this was replaced by the current brick structure, which later became the Sunday School building.

It is well known that Launceston is indebted to the late Mr Henry Reed, assisted by his energetic wife, for the excellent design of imparting religious instruction to the poorer classes in the west end of the town, within easy reach of their homes, and in the most attractive form — that is, without any charge whatever.Daily Telegraph, 1 July 1885

Can be seen in the background of this photo.

Currently (2015) it is operating as Korean Full Gospel Church.

Dscn6164

A story in the Examiner, 1935 gives the history of the building:

The hotel which he bought from Mr. Parr (it is still inhabited) was a dilapidated concern with several old stables and coach-houses, and a long shed, which had been used as a skittle alley. Mr. Reed thought it might be made to answer his purpose, as it was situated in the very right position for the work he contemplated (in probably the [?] of the city at the time). It was not until nearly a year after that he saw his way to go forward in the matter, and then he attached the mission to the Wesleyan Church.

He did not build fresh promises at first, but had the long shed cleared out, painted, gas laid on and seats put in. The church work began in July, 1876. It went on for nearly a year, though there was a lack of harmony between the mission and the church to which it was united. Finally they separated.

A Sunday school was commenced in 1877. The work prospered, and it was desirable that the new and more permanent building should stand on the very ground occupied by the skittle alley. In order to do this a temporary place had to be prepared in which to hold the services while the building was being erected, and this was accomplished by clearing out and fitting up some of the old stables on the other side of the yard, where the congregation worshipped for more than 12 months. On June 6, 1880, the new building (the present Sunday school) was opened for service. It was capable of holding three hundred people.

Dscn6163
Continue reading

(Former) Wesleyan Chapel, Cameron Street, Launceston

Cameron Street, Launceston
1827
Demolished 1898.

The first Wesleyan Chapel in Launceston, and second place of worship, was opened in 1827 on the site of what is now the Holy Trinity Church of England. It closed the following year due to not having a preacher and was sold to the government, who used the building as a school. The article at the bottom of this post outlines the history of the building until its final days.

Dscn6117
Site of chapel, now occupied by Holy Trinity.


View from Windmill Hill, 1860s. Chapel can be seen in the centre, to the right of the Trinity Church.
(cropped from photo in QVMAG Collection, QMV:1983:P:1196)

QVM-1991-P-0107 View of the Wesleyan Chapel, Launceston, Tasmania, c 1900. Copied from another source
Photo from the QVMAG Collection (QVM-1991-P-0107) “View of the Wesleyan Chapel , Launceston, Tasmania, c-1900”
(City School moved to the “premises adjoining Trinity Church” in 1895, so photo is 1895-98
Continue reading

Bethel Chapel, Launceston

BETHEL CHAPEL. THE want of accommodation for public worship at the wharf, has long been a subject of regret. Services have sometimes been held during summer on the decks of vessels, but no united effort has been made in this town to supply the spiritual destitution of seamen visiting the port. It is seldom that sailors leave their vessels on the Sabbath to enter a church; but a bethel chapel is peculiarly their own; and at Sydney and Hobart Town the attendance is generally good. We are gratified to learn, that his Excellency has acceded to a request recently made, and has sanctioned the erection of a place of worship on the wharf for the use of seafaring men. The chapel will be built by public subscription, on the north side, and immediately adjoining the custom-house shed, and sup plied in rotation by clergymen belonging to various denominations.
Launceston Examiner, 19 July 1845

ERRATUM.-The Bethel Chapel will be erected on the south side of the custom-house shed, and not on the north, as erroneously printed in our last.
Launceston Examiner, 23 July 1845

Bethel 5 November 1845 Cornwall Chronicle
Cornwall Chronicle, 5 November 1845
Continue reading

St Paul’s Anglican Church, Launceston

Opened 12 May 1861.

Demolished 1975 to make way for new Launceston General Hospital building. Parts of the church buildings including the stained glass windows and organ were re-used in St Paul’s at Low Head.
Photos and information about the windows.
Photos and information about the organ

History of church and parish to 1904

Photos:
Cleveland St, with St Pauls on the left c.1870
Charles St Cemetery with St Pauls in the background
Interior

(former) Wesleyan Chapel, Launceston

Dscf5551
Built and opened in 1835.
Location on Google Maps

An earlier chapel was built further along the street, just past George St, where the Anglican Holy Trinity Church is now. In the 1860s, the congregation out grew the chapel and a larger church was built next door, which is now the Pilgrim Uniting Church. This former chapel is now the church hall.

Wesleyan_Chapel_and_Mission-Premises
From Wikipedia Commons.

Dscn5937
Continue reading

Scottish National Church, Launceston

Img_7608

Lower Charles St, Launceston. Google Maps.
Opened 1833, as a single storey brick building. When the congregation moved to a newer, larger kirk in Paterson St, the building was sold and has seen various uses including as stores, a printery and offices. It was during this later period that it gained the second storey and new front part.

Dscf8647
Continue reading

Henry Reed Memorial Baptist Church, Wellington St, Launceston

Dscf5890
Opened 3 July 1885 as a Christian Mission Church, to replace the smaller building that is now behind. Later became a Baptist Church. Now (2015) operating as a Gateway Baptist Church, with the Korean Full Gospel Church behind.

Photo: late 19th century
Interior
Wellington St, showing church in context

Dscn6157

THE OPENING OF THE TEMPLE.
To-day will see the consummation of the work begun by the late Mr Henry Reed for providing a suitable place of worship for the congregation he drew together during the later years of his life. The building is worthy of its object, and as one of the principal edifices of its kind, will attract praise from all who visit it, whether townspeople or visitors, both for its style of architecture, and the chars iter . of the workmanship evidenced in all its details. Designed by Mr F. Tyson, its foundation stone was laid nearly two years ago, on July 19, 1883, by Mr J. L. Smith, of Cambock, in the presence of a large number of members of the Mission Church. To-night it will be open to the public for the first time, after a tea meeting, held in the adjoining Pavilion shortly after 5 o’clock, its inauguration as a place of divine worship being celebrated by a number of addresses from Pastor Hiddlestone and the leading members associated with him
.
Daily Telegrah, 3 July 1885
Continue reading