| 1804 | First chaplain Edward Main, came with first landing, was an ex-convict and had no standing with convicts. |
| 1806 | Under Lt-Col. William Paterson, the settlement was moved to the present site of Launceston. |
| 1806-1818 | No established Christian Church presence in the city! |
| 1819 |
Rev.Youl, Anglican missioner, (his story is here) travelled many miles to minister to
his flock. Under Col. Cimitiere's leadership, the "Port Dalrymple Bible Society Auxiliary" begins as a branch of the Hobart Auxiliary which had been formed a week earlier. |
| 1822 | Weslyan Missionary Horton stated "wickedness in Launceston exceeds all description." |
| 1824 |
Launceston officially declared a township. Foundation stone of St John's Anglican Church,157 St John Street, laid this year. consecrated 1828. |
| 1831 | Scottish immigrants wanted their own church. Original Presbyterian Church was at lower Charles Street next to Cornwall Square. |
| 1833 |
Launceston's first Sunday School at St John's Anglican Church The"Cornwall Auxiliary Bible Society" begins in Launceston as anautonomous Society relating directly to the British & Foreign Bible Society in London. |
| 1835-36 |
In 1835 a strict Baptist minister, Rev Henry Dowling ,took up residence in Launceston
and preached in the Court House. On July 30th, 1836, a grant of land was obtained
for a building in Launceston, but this was sold and another site in York Street was
purchased, on which the first Baptist church building was erected. Rev Dowling pastored this church for 34 years. |
| 1837 |
Congregationalists under Rev.C Price opened a Church in Tamar St. Rev Price
pastored for 55 years. The first Roman Catholic priest, Father Gotham ,appointed to Launceston - until then Father Connolly had been a travelling priest who visited the city. |
| N.B | In 1830's at Paterson Street and Mission Church there was a move of the Spirit. The Lord added daily those who were being saved. Also in the 1840's at the same location under Minister Nathaniel Turner. |
| 1840 | Rev. West founded Launceston City Mission. |
| N.B |
In 1840's there was a spirit of togetherness and tolerance among different
denominations. They helped each other financially - Protestants helped the Catholics get started. |
| 1841 | Milton Hall Congregationalist Church built by Rev. John West, who ministered until 1854. |
| 1842 | The Examiner newspaper started by Congregationalists James Aikenhead and Jonathon Waddell ; first issue published 12th March. The Examiner was used by Rev John West to promote the abolition of convict transportation to Van Dieman's Land, a fight he continued to lead vigorously in the following years. |
| 1845 | A Jewish Synagogue was built in 1845, closed in 1871 owing to lack of a congregation. The building at the top of St. Johns Street is still standing. |
| 1850 | St Andrew's Presbyterian Church was dedicated, on the site ofthe Police Watchhouse and Constable's Residence. Slow growth 1890- 1916, congregation started to build thereafter. |
| 1851 | Rev West's efforts led to the formation of 'Australasian League for the Prevention of Transportation' late this year. |
| 1855 | On 15th March the Cornwall Auxilliary Bible Society met in Launceston - a precursor to today's Tasmanian Bible Society . You can read an Examiner report here |
| 1864 | William 'California 'Taylor came to Tasmania preaching at Wesleyan Chapel Launceston. Over 600 conversions state-wide. |
| 1866 | 1000 seat Pilgrim Methodist Church was built. |
| 1870's | Early this decade, a visit by Evangelist Walter Douglas resulted in the establishment of the Christian Brethren Church |
| 1870 -1890 | Launceston had times of revival from a strong foundation of prayer |
| 1876 | Henry Reed commenced a Christian meeting with Compassion for the Poor. This ultimately became Memorial Baptist Church (now known as Gateway Baptist) in Wellington Street. Reed built alms houses for the poor. |
| 1877 | Mission week in Launceston . |
| 1883 | On 23rd November, the Salvation Army launched an all-out strategy to influence Launceston. First result: - a brothel was closed when some of the girls were saved. |
| 1883 | "Launceston is well supplied with churches. With a population of 12,000 it has thirteen attached to 9 different religious bodies; so that in variety and number, it is capable of amply supplying the wants of both its inhabitants and its visitors."" quoted in Hudson andHopwood's "Guide to Excursionists between Australia and Tasmania," 1883 |
| 1884 |
As part of the Restoration Movement to bring back a New Testament Church,
the Churches of Christ was established Memorial Baptist Church was built this year to seat 1000. |
| 1888 | Launceston officially declared a city. |
| 1894 | First Tasmanian Conference of the Churches of Christ was held in Launceston. |
| 1901 | At Federation, there were 18 established churches in Launceston including a Chinese Mission |
| 1902 | Dr.R.A. Torrey visited Albert Hall, Launceston. He stressed the need to be baptised in the Holy Spirit. Many were saved. |
| 1913 | Tent Mission under the auspices of the Churches of Christ held in Launceston, went on for 10 weeks. 300 people were saved. As a result three churches were opened in the Launceston area. Present building in Margaret Street was purchased. |
| 1922 | Four separate Bible Society Auxiliaries around the State merge to form the "Tasmanian Bible Society" with headquarters in Launceston. |
| 1932 | Riverside Gospel Chapel, a Christian Brethren church, came into being in response to the development of Riverside and a need for a Sunday School. |
| 1961 |
A.S.Worley came to Launceston from U.S.A.and for 3 months a powerful revival broke out.
This was the beginning of the Pentecostal work which is still in the city. He was invited by a Baptist brother, held meetings at which up to 1000 attended, with miracles and healings, but the value was not immediately seen due to schisms. |
| 1976 | The three Churches of Christ congregations amalgamated under the leadership of Pastor Hamilton. This worked because of subsequent strong Bible exposition and a move toward strong charismatic renewal. |
| 1992 | Pastor Craig Spaulding took over leadership of the Church of Christ. There has been strong benevolent leadership and the church has grown to be the largest in the city. |
| 1994 | Late this year 'Together for Launceston' started with two people.Name later changed to 'Launceston Together'. |
| 2003 | The Church of Christ, now too large for its Fredrick St premises, moved to new premises at the old Coates-Paton site and in November was officially opened as Door of Hope Christian Church. |
| 2008 | The formation of a new ministers' group called Christian Leaders Connect. |
