Beginnings
Michael Walker in his memoirs notes, “In 1846 I came to Hagley. There was no church of any kind and we used to meet at Mr. Montgomery’s farm house and hold services and class meetings.” Mr. Walker and Mr. Montgomery were both living in Hogg’s Lane at the time.
Hogg’s Lane received its name from James Hogg and his wife Charlotte who also lived along that road. Both James and Charlotte are recorded as active supporters of the Wesleyan cause and is likely they attended the above-mentioned services and class meetings. It is possible these meetings had commenced prior to 1846 as in 1837, a record tells of Charlotte and a Mrs White of Westbury, riding their horses to Longford to meet up with Rev. Manton with a request that regular services commence at Westbury, Tasmania.
The First Church/Chapel
By 1859 a number of Methodist families had settled at Hagley, Tasmania, coming mainly from England. They set about enthusiastically and with much faith to raise funds to build a chapel. They were successful in their endeavours as the following report in the “Tasmanian Methodist” shows. “A block of land was secured from Mr. George Scott Senior and a wooden chapel 40 feet by 22 feet was built, together with a two roomed cottage for a caretaker. The total cost was 370 pounds. Later a wooden stable and store were added, a stable being a necessary adjunct to a Church in the early days.”
The Launceston Examiner in April 1859 reported on the opening of the Chapel. “A neat and commodious Wesleyan Chapel has lately been erected in Hagley on land kindly given by Mr. George Scott of “Woodside, Hagley”. In 1864 a further piece of land adjoining the Church block was acquired from Mr. Scott for a cemetery.
The Second Church – Built 1957
A new Church at Hagley, Tasmania had been under consideration for some years but it was not until 1955 that active planning got underway. From the Methodist Trust Minute Book in 1955 the Rev. Duncan Kennedy and Mr. C. Pryor (architect) presented a plan for a new church – estimated cost 6,000 pounds. This was accepted by the Trustees in March 1956.
In that same year of 1956, the Rev. G.L. Turner was welcomed and the tender of 8,512 pounds for the new Church from E. Lewis and Son was accepted.
A decision was made not to re-site the old Church resulting in the purchase of a further strip of land on the eastern boundary.
The foundation stone for the new Church was laid on 6 April 1957 by the Rev. Turner.
The Church Trustees in 1956 were – C. & P. W. French, E. Murfett, R.H. Heazlewood, E. & J. Badcock, L. Clarke, R. Richardson, B.L. Heazlewood, and N. Smith.
The furnishings for the new Church were donated by various members of the congregation-
- The Pulpit – In memory of the late Mr. & Mrs. H.E Murfett
- Pulpit Chair – In memory of the late Mr. & Mrs. Jabez Scott
- Communion Rail – In memory of four generations of the Richardson family
- Communion Table – In memory of Mr. & Mrs. R.R. French and family
- Baptismal Font – In memory of the late Mr. & Mrs. Henry Badcock
- Church Carpet – P.W., E.G., W.A. & T.C. French and their families
- Electric Light Fittings – Mr. & Mrs. J.H. Badcock
- Pulpit Bible – In memory of the late Samuel French Badcock
- Furnishings – Porch Hagley WAOM in honour of their Silver Jubilee
- Furnishings – Vestry Mr. & Mrs. L.G. Clarke & Family
- Hymn Board – Mr. C. Pryor, Architect
- Visitors Book – Miss Dulcie Heazlewood
- Hymn Book Cupboards – In memory of the late Mr. & Mrs L.M. Hingston
- Pews – Max Heazlewood, E.M. Badcock, Ian Badcock
- Pews – Mrs. M.C. & Miss Florence Heazlewood
- Pews – E.G. French, C.H. French, W.A. French (2 seats),
- Pews – Mr. & Mrs B. Dobson, L. Heazlewood,
- Pews – B. Heazlewood, J. Badcock, N. Smith,
- Pews – V. Smith, Mr. & Mrs. E.H. Murfett, L.G. Clarke
- Pews – P.W. French, Mr. & Mrs. Bendall, Mrs. O’Connor,
- Pews – R. Heazlewood
- Palm Stands & Vases – Miss Freda Badcock
- Cross – Mr. C. French
- Offering Plates – Mr. J.H. Badcock
At the time of the opening of the new church at Hagley on Saturday 14th December 1957 a report appeared in The Tasmanian Methodist. Extracts are –
“When the President-General (the Rev. Dr. A. H. Wood) knocked upon the door of the new brick church at Hagley there were nearly 700 people present to share in the ceremonies. To the folk of this small township, situated on the Bass Highway, 17 miles from Launceston, it was a very great occasion, representing the culmination of nine years of planning, and 12 months of building.
To all who came it was their first opportunity to view the completed structure of a building that has provoked a great deal of interest and comment, for the building is a complete departure from the orthodox, being hexagonal in shape. However, now that it is finished, and the interior most beautifully furnished, all would vote it is a very lovely sanctuary, where it is not difficult to feel the presence of God.
Into the large glass windows, that front the Bass Highway and look towards the railway line have been fixed large metal crosses which, picked out in white, are visible for long distances, a constant reminder to those who pass by that the Cross is at the centre of our faith.
The interior of the building has been beautifully decorated and furnished, with the emphasis on beauty and simplicity. The pews which are of Tasmanian hardwood and polished with a natural polish, are grouped in an arc around the sanctuary, which has the communion table, surmounted by a Cross at its centre. Across the front of the Church are the pulpit, the sanctuary and the choir, set in a small recess in the side wall – a reminder of the three elements of worship – the ministry of the Word and Sacraments, and praise to our God. The entrance, aisles and sanctuary are carpeted with a cathedral blue fleur-de-lis carpeting.
Another feature of the building is the fellowship room at the rear, which room will serve also as a vestry. Complete with grey Westminster, it is furnished with modern table, two dozen unholstered nest-a-bye arm chairs, and two convection heaters. In this lovely and restful room the Church will meet for fellowship and to transact its business.
The solid brick building was the scheme of Mr. Clarrie Pryor, a member of the Margaret Street Methodist Church and Launceston architect, and was built by a Launceston firm, under the supervision of Mr. Geoff Lewis. Both co-operated with and assisted the Trustees greatly with the planning and building. The contract price was £8,512, and with furnishings and sundry costs, the structure represents an outlay of nearly £11,000. A great saving to the Trust was the fact that all the furnishings for the Church and fellowship room were donated by various families and individuals – many given in memory of the generations that have worshipped at Hagley for more than a century. By direct giving, and through fairs, which in the last five years have raised nearly £2,500, all but £3,000 has been raised, and two-thirds of the debt has been covered by interest-free loans to the Trust by members of the Church. These are remarkable figures when one keeps in mind that there are only 55 members at Hagley, and these represent 20 families.
On Saturday, 14th December, the President-General knocked upon the door, and as he requested entrance, the door was slid into the wall by the secretary of the Trust, Mr. Ray Richardson, and the Church was opened. The congregation joined with Dr. Wood in a very impressive dedication service- those who could not gain admittance to the new building followed the service through amplifiers both in the old building, and in the open air. Preaching from the text, “ A day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside”. Dr Wood sought to inspire in the congregation a realisation of the privileges and benefits to be gained through the worship of our God …………..”
Compiled by Ivan Badcock – January 2016 – Updated 20 January 2016