St Paul’s Anglican Church, Stanley

The first church was built in the 1840s. By the 1880s it was in need of major repair work. So it was torn down and a new church built in its place (photos near bottom).

Examiner 4 September 1844
Launceston Examiner, 4 September 1884

CHURCH AT CIRCULAR HEAD.-The foundation of a new church, to be erected on the township at Circular Head, has been commenced.
Launceston Examiner, 9 November 1844

At Circular Head (called the Township of Stanley) a handsome new church is commenced building, to cost, it is said, £1000.
Launceston Advertiser, 9 November 1844

Photos, 1860s
Photo of town, showing church
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(Our Lady) Star of the Sea, Stanley (2)

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Marshall St Stanley. Google Maps
Opened 1931, replacing an older building on the same site.

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STANLEY.
Roman Catholic Church:
The work of demolishing the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea was started on Monday, to make room for the proposed new church of the same name. Ono of the chief faults in the old church, which was built 32 years ago, is that the walls were solid, no cavity being left to prevent moisture coming through, and they there fore leak. The new building, of which Mr. H. S. East, of Launceston, is the architect, is to be Romanesque in design. The contractor is Mr. K. Howe, of Launceston. The building will be about 20 feet longer than the old one, the addition comprising the Sanctuary and Sacristies. The seating accommodation will also be slightly more than in the old building. It is expected that the new church will be finished before Christmas, and in the meantime divine service will be conducted in the large dining-room of the Presbytery, which has been set up as a chapel.
Advocate, 8 October 1930

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“This stone was blessed and laid
By his Grace the Most Revd
Hayden Archbishop of Hobart
On Sunday November 9th 1930”

The New Church.
The foundation stone of the new church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, was laid on Sunday morning after 11 o’clock mass by Archbishop Hayden. There was a large attendance. His Grace was welcomed to Stanley by the Rev. P. Adlum, B.A., the Warden (Cr. Dan Brown), Mr. Fergus Medwin, M.H.A., and Mr. W. McKenna of Irishtown. He congratulated the people on their pluck and their happy financial position, and hoped to be present at the opening of the church. Father Adlum reported that the cost would be £1883 4s, of which £1148 13s 1d was in hand, leaving a balance of £734 2s 11d, of which £146 18s 6d was donated after the ceremony. Mr. W. O’Neill returned thanks to the donors.

Circular Head Chronicle, 12 November 1930

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New Roman Catholic Church:
The new Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea at Stan ley is nearing completion, and it will be one of the best designed and appointed churches in the State. The architect is Mr. H. S. East, and the contractor Mr. K W. Howe, both of Launceston, and the contract price, exclusive of fittings, was £1780. To Messrs. W. Coogan and Co., Launceston, was entrusted the making of the high altar, the two side altars, linen press, vestments press, and altar rails, all of Tasmanian blackwood, the whole being designed by Mr. East. The high altar is at present on view in the show room of Messrs. Coogan in Brisbane street, and speaking of it at the weekend Mr. East said he was more than pleased with the workmanship which the firm had put into their contract. In his experience he had seldom seen bet ter work of the kind in any part of Europe, and it was a fine advertisement for Launceston that such high class workmanship could be executed there. The design of the altar is free Gothic, and it has a burnished gold dome over the tabernacle and two candelabra in a semi-circular arch framing the altar. These are reminiscent of the magnificent candelabra and the Capella Palatina at Palermo, Sicily. Splendidly grained blackwood has been used, and the effect is most beautiful, The church, which has been construct ed of brick, has seating accommodation for 125 persons, and it is stated that its furnishings will be the best of any Roman Catholic church in the country districts of the State.
Advocate, 22 December 1930

STANLEY.
Roman Catholic Church:
The work of rebuilding the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea has been completed. It is now a very fine building, and an ornament to the town. The opening ceremony is to be at the eleven o’clock Mass on Sunday next, and in the absence of the Archbishop in Rome, will be carried out by Very Rev. Father Murphy, Vicar Capitular. The church has been remodelled in the Romanesque style, and sanctuary and sacristies added.
Advocate, 12 March 1931

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A FINE BUILDING.
New R.C. Church at Stanley
CONSECRATION CEREMONY.
The Star of the Sea Church at Stanley, which during the past few months has been rebuilt, was opened on Sunday, when the seating accommodation was taxed to its utmost, the congregation including many adherents of other churches and visitors from Hobart, Launceston and practically all parts of the parish. The outward appearance of the building was highly commented upon, but the beauty of the interior eclipsed all expectations, and Father P. Adlum and his parishioners were congratulated on the results of their efforts.
[continued]
Advocate, 17 March 1931

Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Stanley (1)

Opened 1897. Demolished 1930 and replaced by a newer building on the same site,

Photo

OPENING OF STANLEY CATHOLIC CHURCH
Sunday last was a red latter day for the Catholic portion of our little community , the new Catholic church being dedicated and blessed by the Very Rev. Dean Beechinor, of Launceston, ? The church was named the Star of the Sea. The Rev. Fathers Cunningham and Higgins (Burnie) assisted in the impressive ceremony. Dean Beechinor celebrated High Mass, Father Cunningham being deacon and Father Higgins sub deacon. The Dean delivered a simple but instructive sermon, and concluded his remarks by complimenting the Catholics of the district on the find building erected, also thanking members of other denominations for their kind and material assistant in the matter.

The new church is built of brick and is a substantial and handsome building. The nave is 40 feet long and 25 feet wide. The original plan shows the nave 50 feet with chancel and sacristy, which are to be constructed in the future, being deferred for the present owing to want of sufficient funds. The edifice as built is quite large enough for present requirements. Messrs Gunn, of Launceston were the builders and Mr Luttrel architect.

Wellington Times, 17 July 1897

Catholic Church to be Re-built
Owing to the leakage through the wall which were of solid brick, it has been deemed necessary to demolish the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, which has stood in an unfinished state for more than thirty years. The work of dismantling has already commenced and it is intended, as soon as the site is cleared, to commence a new brick church, using the existing foundations, the new church will be modelled on the Romanesque style, the plans having been drawn by Mr H.S. East of Launceston. It is not intended to in crease the seating accommodation, but merely to add the sanctuary and sacristy which were not included in the old building. The reconstruction is in the hands of Mr. K. W. Howe of Launceston, and it is hoped that the building will be complete, and ready for use early in the New Year. The contract price for the building complete is £1985, including £30 for contingencies.

Circular Head Chronicle, 8 October 1930

STANLEY.
Roman Catholic Church:
The work of demolishing the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea was started on Monday, to make room for the proposed new church of the same name. Ono of the chief faults in the old church, which was built 32 years ago, is that the walls were solid, no cavity being left to prevent moisture coming through, and they there fore leak. The new building, of which Mr. H. S. East, of Launceston, is the architect, is to be Romanesque in design. The contractor is Mr. K. Howe, of Launceston. The building will be about 20 feet longer than the old one, the addition comprising the Sanctuary and Sacristies. The seating accommodation will also be slightly more than in the old building. It is expected that the new church will be finished before Christmas, and in the meantime divine service will be conducted in the large dining-room of the Presbytery, which has been set up as a chapel.

Advocate, 8 October 1930