The Buildings

In 1834 a petition was presented to the Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) that a Church should be built for the residents of Queenborough as the "present Chapel is too small". It is not known where the Chapel referred to was situated. In the same year, a subscription list was opened for the building of the new church.

The site chosen was the highest point of Battery Point, then known as Kermode’s Hill.  The Trustees paid Mr Kermode, who owned most of the land in the area, £250 for the site, although at that period the Government usually granted land for the building of churches.

The Nave (main church building) – 1836-8

The nave was designed by John Lee Archer.  The building of St George’s began in 1836, with funds provided partly by subscription and partly by Government grant.  Governor Arthur laid the foundation stone on 19th October 1836.  It is no longer visible, owing to later additions to the church.

The nave and the lower part of the walls of the tower were built, and the church was consecrated on 26 May 1838 by the Rt. Rev. W. G. Broughton, the first and only Bishop of Australia, assisted by the Ven. Archdeacon W. Hutchins, Archdeacon of Van Diemen’s Land, and the Rev. W. Bedford of St. David's.

The Tower – 1841-7

The tower was designed by James Blackburn.

By 1839 the Trustees were in financial difficulties, so  when in 1841 it was decided to proceed with the tower, a new subscription list was opened.  The Governor, Sir John Franklin,  was anxious that a spire be erected for the church, to serve as a mark for shipping.  He and Lady Franklin were among the subscribers.

The Government was asked for assistance, and agreed to grant convict labour, stone and timber, on the basis that the subscribers were to supply cartage, lime, lead and other materials.

Work began on building the tower, but it was soon found that the tower basement, which had been put in at the time of the original building, was badly built and insufficient to bear the weight of the tower.  It was found necessary to remove this basement, as well as the vestibule and the two vestries on either side of it.

For various reasons, one of which was the inability to supply suitably skilled convict labour, the work was frequently interrupted and left for long periods.  By 1847 the tower was finally completed, but the porch and the rooms at the basement of the tower were left unfinished.  For five years “the Church was more or less exposed to the weather and great inconveniences were occasioned to the congregation”.  In the meantime of course the cost of the works had blown out far beyond the original estimate, and in September 1848 the Rector, Trustees and Churchwardens petitioned the Governor for assistance with the cost of completing the works.

Once completed, the tower of St George’s Church and the windmill of Luckman's Flour Mill, which stood opposite it in Cromwell Street, could be seen from most parts of the city and harbour.  The flour mill was demolished in 1885, three years before the completion of the porch (see below).

The Work School - 1841-51

An early concern was to provide for education, and in 1841 a Day or Work School was planned.  This was built along the west wall of the church, and was in use by 1851.  It was run at first by various women, and by the Government.

The church was re-oriented in 1850 (see The Interior) so that the work school building is now behind the sanctuary.  It is currently used by the Handweavers Spinners and Dyers Guild of Tasmania as a classroom, workshop and resource centre.

Alms Houses (demolished about 1904) – 1843

Another early concern was provision for the poor.  In 1843 several Alms Houses for old men were build on land given by the Government as a burial ground. They were erected at a cost of £104 less one farthing, and at first housed nine men. Lieut.-Governor Denison gave 5/- per week to buy bread for the inmates, and also supplied them with wood and coal. 

The Alms Houses were discontinued in 1904, and demolished soon afterwards.

The Bell – 1853

In 1841 it was planned to have a peal of bells, but there was not enough money for it, and in the end, in 1853 a single bell was obtained and hung.  This bell was cast by John Swain of the Derwent Foundry, Hobart Town at a  cost of £81.4.0.  It weighed just over 8 cwt.

The Side Buildings – 1862

In October 1862 Mr Hore had a tender of £462 accepted for finishing “two wings of the Church”.  These are quite substantial side buildings in a style similar to that of the Church.  The building on the Southern side (on the left hand side as you approach the Church) was the “old Sunday School Room” and currently houses the Anglican Book Room.  The building on the Northern side (on the right hand side as you approach the Church) is known as the Parish Room and houses many of the current activities of the parish – notably on Sundays from 5-7 pm.