FINGAL'S FORGOTTEN CHURCHES

[Jeff Thorpe]

FINGAL’S FORGOTTEN CHURCHES

© Jeff Thorpe March 2022

In travels round the country I’m always intrigued
by the churches enduring in small country towns,
many appearing forsaken, seemingly fatigued,
poignant examples of religion putdowns.

Fingal, Tasmania is a classic case in point,
population 405 in Census twenty-sixteen,
three splendid churches, yet no faithful to anoint,
let’s trace their history and see what we can glean.

These places of worship are magnificent creations
with no apparent expense spared in their construction,
erected in late nineteenth century for willing congregations
eager to welcome God’s induction.

Saint Peter’s Anglican church was consecrated in 1869
by Thomas Reibey, Archdeacon of Launceston,
he incidentally, a Tasmanian Premier further down the line
though that a different story, not a status to predestine.

Built of fossiliferous limestone in Gothic architectural style
St Peter’s has exquisite stained-glass windows and huge beams exposed,
in design terms, the building does undoubtedly beguile
a handsome structure, its presence in the village well-disposed.

Alas, the church was de-sanctified and closed in twenty-seventeen
and, together with attached rectory offered for sale
fetching $350,000 two years later, perhaps a bargain unforeseen,
the property’s spiritual dedication ended without fail.

The Catholic church, St Joseph’s, occupies Fingal’s highest ridge
an imposing hard limestone edifice not unlike St Peter’s,
once monthly for Sunday Mass it lowers the drawbridge
for priestly visits no doubt met by greeters.

Opened in 1880 by Hobart’s bishop and four priests
the church on that occasion was filled to capacity,
patronage now presumably more famine than feasts,
maybe also due to a shortage of chaplaincy.

In 1881 St Andrew’s Uniting church was built,
a small wooden structure on a stone base.
It is well preserved, 140 years old with no tilt,
bell cote and gabled iron roof still steadily in place.

However, no services are conducted, the church stands forlorn
and will probably soon follow Anglican St Peter’s fate,
the next door former Manse on the market surely does warn
St Andrew’s the next property to castrate.

Tis a pity to see these beautiful buildings lying idle
although Fingal’s not alone experiencing this trend,
decline in rural populace indeed a factor that is vital
who knows if or when this drift will end.

Secularization of Australian society possibly another concern,
demographics show a shift from traditional religious practice,
so, will more churches become redundant in this downturn
as other cultural pursuits begin to attract us.

Whatever the result, the heritage of these churches is important,
so much of our history seems daily to be lost,
such architectural gems are hardly absorbent,
the significance of our past should not be tossed.