Holy Trinity Church Hall

Holy Trinity Church has a long and interesting history. Designed in the Gothic style, it is an excellent example of the work of the convict architect James Blackburn, who designed many Tasmanian churches. The Governor, Sir John Franklin, who later lost his life in an unsuccessful attempt to find the North-West Passage through the Arctic, laid the foundation stone in October 1841. The freestone from which the Church is built was obtained from the Domain quarry near Government House and was donated by the colonial government. Funds for the building of the Church were subscribed by the people of Hobart Town and other parts of Van Dieman's Land (now Tasmania), and by donors in England including the Dowager Queen Adelaide. The Church was completed in 1847, services commenced in 1848 and it was consecrated on 27th December 1849. Holy Trinity Parish is older than this Church, and dates back to 1833. The first Holy Trinity Church was opened for worship in 1833 and was situated at the corner of Brisbane and Campbell Streets, Hobart. Later it became the Criminal Court-house. Holy Trinity Church has a commanding view over the city of Hobart. From Trinity Hill, the bells of the Church have rung out to mark many great occasions, both sad and joyful, in the life of the city and State. The peal of bells, which is the oldest in the southern hemisphere, was first rung on 1st December 1847 to usher in Regatta Day (an aquatic holiday for the people of Hobart Town instituted by Sir John Franklin). Since then it has been a tradition to ring the bells on each Regatta Day. Holy Trinity Church is rich in memorials, one of the most outstanding of which is the War Memorial Window at the east end of the building, designed by Mr L. Dechaineux, then Principal of the Hobart Technical College. This window commemorates those parishioners who lost their lives in World War One and was dedicated in 1922. Other stained glass windows in the Church are fine examples of the craftsman's art. They are chiefly windows in memory of former Rectors and parishioners. The chapel, known as the Blackwood Chapel, is a memorial to the dedicated work in the Parish of a former Rector, Archdeacon Blackwood, who later became Bishop of Gippsland. Holy Trinity Church is fortunate in having an organ of rich musical tones. The present organ incorporates the original organ of 1850, enlarged and improved in 1900, and remodelled in 1935. Electric action was installed in 1968. Also in 1968, the console was moved to its present position on the south side of the Chancel. At that time there was sufficient finance to complete only two of the organ's three manuals. A modest renovation was recently completed. Over the years, a considerable amount of restoration work has been done to the interior and exterior of Holy Trinity Church. Refacing the exterior of the Church is a continuous, vital and costly process. Work has recently been completed to restore the window sills and improve window security. The Church is classified "A" by the National Trust (to be preserved at all costs) and is listed on the Register of the National Estate. We are grateful for this recognition of the Church as part of the architectural heritage of the State and nation. Some items of furniture in the chancel of the Church are memorials and fine examples of the craftsman's art. They include the Rector's stall which is made of blackwood, handsomely carved with a threefold arrangement of Glastonbury thorns and berries.