Gallery of log for Bell towers
S 41 25.703 E147 08.117 LAWRENCE VALE UNITING CHURCH
This small bell tower is on the Lawrence Vale uniting Church.
The story of the Lawrence Vale Church began in 1878 when a private Sunday school, which had been conducted in a blacksmith’s shop, was taken over by the Wesleyans. It was from this initiative that the Wesleyan church at Lawrence Vale was born. In 1884 the Tasmanian reported that:
“For many years past a preaching station connection with the Launceston Wesleyan Circuit has been maintained at King’s Meadows, but the building being in sad want of repair, and the increase of population on the Sandhill and Lawrence Vale demanding attention, it was resolved a few months ago to erect a new church in a site more central for both localities”.
The new church’s opening in 1884 was largely a result of the efforts of Rev J.G. Millard who had been the superintendent of the Sunday school. The bricks used to construct the church were donated from Machen's Brickworks, which operated nearby.
“The result was the erection of a neat and substantial brick church with a slate roof, at a cost of some £500, on an excellent site at the junction. … From the church a picturesque view can be obtained down the valley of the Tamar in one direction and towards Breadalbane in the other.”
At a tea meeting following the opening, Rev. Millard was praised from all quarters for his efforts. Millard seemed to be overwhelmed and in response he confessed:
The church was built to only two-thirds of the original design with the provision that it could be enlarged 'should occasion require', without destroying its symmetry. This foresight paid dividends for in 1952 the foundation for a new hall was laid down. This abutted onto the old brick church but was of weatherboard rather than brick.
In 1957, the Lawrence Vale area was subject to serious landslides which saw numerous houses abandoned and for a time some feared that the church might be effected. However, these concerns proved to be ‘groundless’. There were plans to build a new larger church in the 1960’s but funds did not permit this from proceeding.
After becoming part of the Uniting Church in the 1970’s, the Lawrence Vale Church went into a slow decline. Its last service took place in October 2010 and it closed after 126 years as a place of worship with its community being relocated to the Chant Street Uniting Church.
This small bell tower is on the Lawrence Vale uniting Church.
The story of the Lawrence Vale Church began in 1878 when a private Sunday school, which had been conducted in a blacksmith’s shop, was taken over by the Wesleyans. It was from this initiative that the Wesleyan church at Lawrence Vale was born. In 1884 the Tasmanian reported that:
“For many years past a preaching station connection with the Launceston Wesleyan Circuit has been maintained at King’s Meadows, but the building being in sad want of repair, and the increase of population on the Sandhill and Lawrence Vale demanding attention, it was resolved a few months ago to erect a new church in a site more central for both localities”.
The new church’s opening in 1884 was largely a result of the efforts of Rev J.G. Millard who had been the superintendent of the Sunday school. The bricks used to construct the church were donated from Machen's Brickworks, which operated nearby.
“The result was the erection of a neat and substantial brick church with a slate roof, at a cost of some £500, on an excellent site at the junction. … From the church a picturesque view can be obtained down the valley of the Tamar in one direction and towards Breadalbane in the other.”
At a tea meeting following the opening, Rev. Millard was praised from all quarters for his efforts. Millard seemed to be overwhelmed and in response he confessed:
The church was built to only two-thirds of the original design with the provision that it could be enlarged 'should occasion require', without destroying its symmetry. This foresight paid dividends for in 1952 the foundation for a new hall was laid down. This abutted onto the old brick church but was of weatherboard rather than brick.
In 1957, the Lawrence Vale area was subject to serious landslides which saw numerous houses abandoned and for a time some feared that the church might be effected. However, these concerns proved to be ‘groundless’. There were plans to build a new larger church in the 1960’s but funds did not permit this from proceeding.
After becoming part of the Uniting Church in the 1970’s, the Lawrence Vale Church went into a slow decline. Its last service took place in October 2010 and it closed after 126 years as a place of worship with its community being relocated to the Chant Street Uniting Church.
Rated: for Overall Experience.
