Wednesday 28 August 2013

Two Church's of Evandale, Tasmania, Australia


Evandale was originally established as a military post in 1811, it was known variously as Collins Hill, Patersons Plains, Gordon Plains, and Morven before the town's name was changed to Evansdale and eventually to Evandale in 1836 in honour of Tasmania's first Surveyor-General, G.W. Evans and declared a municipality in 1865. Evandale is 15 minutes from Launceston, Tasmania.

St. Andrew's Anglican (Church of England) Church was open in 1837.
The building was used as a place of worship on Sundays and a school room during the week days. The new building was constructed with bricks which were obtained from the abandoned works of the Evandale-Launceston Water Tunnel. In addition the roof was covered in shingle.

There were two rooms, the chapel/school room and the master's room. The building was situated at the end of Church Lane in what is now the back of the Rectory. The initial building was later used as a Sunday School before being demolished around 1910.
 
In October 1838, a larger Church of England was required with a petition requesting the Government assist in the erection of a more suitable building. Consequently work began on a new church in 1841. It was a red brick building with a square tower and the building was completed about 1844.
In 1869, discovery of large cracks were discovered which was caused by faulty foundations, and the church was finally demolished in 1871. The foundation stone for the present church was laid down on 30 November 1871 and building commenced using many of the original bricks. In May 17, 1872 the new church was consecrated and dedicated to St. Andrew.

*Taken from the website of Evandale.*


The door was locked so I couldn't go inside to take photos.

St. Andrews Uniting (Presbyterian) Church..
Reverend Robert Russell was a young Scot when he arrived in Evandale to commence his parish duties on the 9th April 1838. At that time there was no church building and services were then held in private residences.
The Scottish Community of Evandale had raised funds for the building of a Kirk (Church) and along with a grant from the Government this enabled the laying of a foundation stone in 1838 by the Governor, Sir John Franklin and from this the Kirk (Church) became a reality with the dedication of St. Andrews on 5th September 1840.
A much admired example of Greek Revival Architecture, St. Andrews is known as the "best preserved or restored" place of worship in Tasmania.
Since its door opened, St Andrew's has served the Presbyterian Congregation of Evandale and its surrounding environs and lately as the Uniting Church of Australia.


*Taken from the website of Evandale.*
 

8 comments:

  1. M Oh it is beautiful I love hearing the history of churches. Beautiful. hug xoxo G

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    1. Thanks. The first one has an interesting one. Hugs M xox

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  2. Two very different churches. Nice pictures.

    Greetings.
    Filip

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  3. It took a few attempts with the first one to keep it standing. They are lovely historical churches. I liked Evandale when we visited.

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    1. It sure did Diane, however they got there.
      It's a nice village.

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