Hobart, TAS - Uniting

Year Built: 1870

Denomination: Uniting

Address: Brisbane Street, Hobart, Tasmania, 7000

Previous Denomination: Congregational

Architect: Tiffin & Davidson

Traditional Owners: Palawa people

Last Updated: 24/04/2023

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History and Architecture:

Formerly a Congregational Church. It was built in 1870 and rebuilt in 1936 & enlarged in 1939.

The congregation of this church first met in 1836 in the small Beraea Chapel in Liverpool Street, which has since been demolished. In 1837 a new church was built in lower Collins Street. By the 1850s this proved too small to meet the increasing numbers joining the church, so a larger church was needed. This church in Davey Street was a distinct change from the previous styles adopted by this arm of Protestantism.

The foundation stone of the church was laid in 1856 and construction was by James Petty to a design by local architects Tiffin & Davidson.

The Gothic elements are seen in the three-part front with a tower in the centre. Other key Gothic features include lancet windows and a deeply recessed front door.

Clergy:

These names are now in the Database and can be searched individually.

Years	Name	Annotation	D.o.D
1861 -	Rev J Hay	C
1894 - 1900	Rev Robert Alfred Thompson	C
1900 - 1904	Rev John William Roberts	C
1917 -	Rev F Binns	C
1922 - 1925	Rev Frank Vincent Dowling	C
1929 - 1947	Rev Harold James Ralph	C
1955 - 1960	Rev Michael Farrington Sawyer	C
1970 - 1973	Rev Malcolm D Lamont	C
1965 - 1969	Rev Frederick Henry Wiseman	C	1969

Organ:

The Organ was built in 1879 by George Fincham. Rebuilt in 1936 and enlarged in 1939 by George Fincham & Sons (addihon of choir organ). Rebuilt again in 1992 by Gibbs & Thomson. It has 3m., 24 sp.st., 6c., el.pn. Gt: 8.8.8.4.4.2-2/3.2.III.8. Sw: 16.8.8.8.4.2.2.8. Ch: 8.4.4.2.8. Ped: 16.16

Source:

1. Congregatioalism in Tasmania 1830 - 1977. A brief history compilded by Theo E Sharples.
2. Churches of Colinial Hobart, a field guide to Hobart's history in 24 huildings.
3. Organ Historical Trust of Australia with permission.