In 1847 Mr. Thomas Walton gave a parcel of land, at Huonville and the first
Congregational Church was built on the site (this is located behind the car wash where the old cemetery (now closed) still exists). There was no resident minister, and the services were held by local
preachers and on several occasions, by young lawyers who seized a chance to
practice public speaking.
Fire destroyed this church including all the contents (date unknown)
and forced the services to be held in the public school at Victoria (now known
as Ranelagh).
Mr. Walton gave a second parcel of land at the corner of Wilmot Road
and Hobart Town Road. With the gift of
the land and the generosity of people from all denominations tenders were
called for the construction of a stone church on the site.
The successful tenderers moved the stone across the Huon River and
carted it over the rough and muddy road to the site, where the church was
completed in 1872 making the new church one of only three buildings on the main
street.
There was no resident minister until 1910 and ministers from
Franklin conducted the services with the assistance of lay-preachers.
Huonville became a thriving town, with most sites in the town being occupied. During 1935 to 1940 Rev.
Ernest W. Smith, then minister of the church, saw the need to purchase a
building site away from the main centre of the town.
Land was purchased in the Main Street of Huonville and subsequently
exchanged for the site next to it and a Building Fund was commenced, and this
grew spasmodically during the war years.
The need for a new church became more apparent with the existing stone church’s
advancing years. The church building account
was also growing steadily, and negotiations were under way for the sale of the
existing church.
During 1964 a building plan was finally decided upon for the new
church, to be known as the Huonville Memorial Congregational Church, as a
fitting memorial to all those associated with Congregationalism in the district
over the years.
The successful tenderers were South-Eastern Builders Pty Ltd., and
the foundations were poured in December 1964 (the Lych-gate that is still in
use today is built from the stone from the old church porch).
The final worship service in the 93 year old church was held on
Sunday 20th June 1965 and the new building was dedicated to the
Glory of God at a service one week later.
In June 1972 the Congregational Churches of the Huon moved not to
become part of the Uniting Church in Australia. During 1977 discussions took place with the
Churches of Christ at Geeveston and Dover and a co-operation was
established.
It was also resolved to combine the Churches of Christ and
Congregational under one name - Huon Community Churches.
In 1986 the Huon branch of the United Churches of Australia and Huon
Community Churches began discussions about a co-operative venture because they
saw the possibilities of sharing ministry, mission, learning, prayer and worship
service together in the region.
This co-operation was duly recognised with a combined service in July
1986. Early 1987, the new joint parish was known as the Huon Uniting and
Community Churches, which included nine churches.
Many of these churches also joined together to share administration
duties under a joint pastorate agreement.
The joint pastorate operated in Dover, Geeveston and Huonville until
early 2005, when the need for the joint pastorate was no longer required as the
Churches were operating under their own administration.
The Huonville Community Church became an incorporated body in April
2006, and the Huonville Community Church Incorporated remains affiliated with
Churches of Christ Victoria/Tasmania.
We recognise that the church has had a varied past and it is to God that
we give the glory and praise for the way He has provided for His church in the
Huon Valley.
The church building alone is nothing in itself; the people, by the
Grace of God are the church, and the church the people. We acknowledge that many men, women and children have served
faithfully through the years their names too numerous to mention.
As new people join the church along with those who have been here
for many years we continue to worship with one goal, to give God the
glory.