Davey Street Congregational Church
| Davey Street Congregational Church (former) | |
|---|---|
 Former Davey St Congregational Church, c. 2017 | |
 | |
| 42°53′08″S 147°19′40″E / 42.8855°S 147.3278°E | |
| Address | 47 Davey Street, Hobart, Tasmania |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Uniting (1977 – 2012) |
| Previous denomination | Congregational (1857 – 1977) |
| History | |
| Status | Church (1857 – 1973) |
| Founded | 31 July 1856 |
| Founder(s) | Henry Hopkins, Esq. |
| Dedicated | 16 August 1857 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Abandoned (sold) |
| Architect(s) | |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Construction cost | A£7,000 |
| Closed | March 1973 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 700 people |
| Spire height | 29 metres (94 ft) |
| Materials | Risdon freestone; slate |
The Davey Street Congregational Church is a former Congregational church located at 47 Davey Street, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Established in 1857 and closed in 1973, it played a significant role in Hobart's religious and community life.
Location
[edit]Located at 47 Davey Street, the church is situated within the Hobart City Centre, neighbouring the Hobart Real Tennis Club and directly opposite St David's Park. Its tall spire makes it a prominent Davey Street landmark.
History
[edit]Early Years
[edit]The foundation stone was laid by Henry Hopkins on 31 July 1856. Designed by Charles Tiffin and William Montgomery Davenport Davidson, the church was officially opened on 16 August 1857.[1][2]
Hopkins, a well-known philanthropist, funded much of the church's construction. The first minister, George Clarke, served the congregation for 52 years, from its opening until 1909.[3]
Growth and Changes
[edit]While Clarke travelled in England and Palestine, Stafford Bird, a politician who later became Premier of Tasmania, served as minister from 1874 to 1877. In later years, Frederick Pratt was another prominent minister, serving from 1925 to 1928.[4]
The church remained a key religious site until its closure in March 1973, when the congregation merged with the Memorial Congregational Church.
Transition to Community Use
[edit]After its closure, the building became the headquarters for Colony 47, a community organisation that operated from the church for over 30 years.[5] Colony 47 vacated the building in 2012, and the church was later sold.[6]
Sale and Repurposing
[edit]In March 2022, the former church was listed for sale again, offering only the second opportunity in its 165-year history to purchase the building.[6]
Architecture
[edit]The church is designed in the Victorian Gothic Revival style by Charles Tiffin and William Montgomery Davenport Davidson. It features Risdon freestone with a slate roof. Its most notable feature is the 29-metre (94 ft), which makes it a recognisable landmark to the Davey St streetscape.
Inside, the church originally accommodated up to 700 people. The design reflects a simple, yet elegant aesthetic, typical of mid-19th-century ecclesiastical architecture in Tasmania.
Notable Ministers
[edit]
| Minister | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| George Clarke | 1857–1909 | The church's first and longest-serving minister.[3] |
| Stafford Bird | 1874–1877 | Temporary minister and prominent Tasmanian politician who later became Premier of Tasmania.[7] |
| Frederick Pratt | 1925–1928 | A significant minister during the 20th century.[4] |
Community Legacy
[edit]The building played a significant role in the foundation of Colony 47, a Hobart-based organisation supporting disadvantaged individuals. Its long history as a community resource is a lasting legacy of its original Congregational mission.
External Links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "The Opening of the Congregational Church, Davey Street". Colonial Times. 18 August 1857. p. 2. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
- ^ Grant, Duncan (29 November 2018). "No. 289 - The Former Congregational Church on Davey Street Hobart". Churches of Tasmania. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ a b O'Neill, Sally (1969). "Clarke, George (1823–1913)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 3. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
- ^ a b Gunson, Niel (1988). "Pratt, Frederick Vicary (1870–1932)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 11. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
- ^ "History". Colony 47. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
- ^ a b Bevan, Jarrad (14 March 2022). "Second chance in 165 years to buy historic Hobart church". Commercial News. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
- ^ Bird, John Reynolds (1979). "Bird, Bolton Stafford (1840–1924)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 7. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
