Our History

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.