Memorial Congregational Church

"The Congregational Church meeting in Brisbane street, Hobart Town, have resolved on the building of a new memorial church on or near the site of the present structure. A sum of £1,000 was subscribed a few months ago, and invested in debentures, as the nucleus of the building fund, and collectors are actively engaged in getting additional subscriptions. We understand the contemplated outlay will be from £4,000 to £5,000."

While the first Congregational service was held in 1817 and conducted by a group of five London Missionary Society workers, it was not until after the arrival of Henry Hopkins in 1822 that moves began to be made towards the establishment of their own place of worship here in Hobart. An appeal was sent to Christian friends in England and to the London Missionary Society for help in providing a minister.

Frederick Miller, answered the appeal and arrived here in September 1830 and became the first ordained Congregational minister to have the charge of a church in Australasia.

Early services were held in the library of the Hobart Town Book Society, situated in the home of Mr. J. P. Deane. Two years later the congregation were able to meet in their new premises-the Brisbane Street Independent Chapel, the first in the colonies.

Hopkins would remain a driving force in the church until his death in 1870. He was responsible for the erection of the Berea Chapel and cottage in Liverpool Street as a Sunday School and mission. Another branch Sunday School was erected on the corner of South Street and Hampden Road Battery Point in 1846 or 1847.

Built at a cost of £7,517.2.9. it was opened for worship on 7th November 1872. The site of the original chapel is now occupied by a hall. The two storeyed building behind the newer hall, was originally attached to the old chapel and is now called Hopkins Hall.

In 1973 the Davey Street Church was closed and the congregation joined with that of Memorial. This building has since been sold. So too has Memorial church following the amalgamation with Scots.