Springfield (Glenorchy) Methodist Church

Information also from the memories of Christine Woods:

The Springfield Sunday School began at the Keats Avenue home of Mr. Ken and Mrs. Madeline Ransley in 1955. Within months Church services were also being held in the Ransley home and a Ladies Guild was formed.

The Rev. Lassam and Mrs. Ransley negotiated to buy a block of land at 31 Homer Avenue, West Moonah, to establish a church building. An army hut from Cornelian Bay was bought and placed on the block of land. The hut was ‘L’ shaped with one part being used for the Sunday School and kitchen, and the other for the Church. The pulpit and pews came from the unused church at Old Beach.

The communion table, cross and sanctuary railing were made by Mr. Reg Jessup who also made the font. His grandson was the first of many children baptised in the church. An organ was obtained by Mr. Ted Cox. The Ladies Guild raised money for curtains, the communion cloth and small glasses.

Mrs. Madeline Ransley, a former school teacher, was the spearhead of the Church. She organised the Sunday School, Sunday School picnics at Taroona, Sunday School Concerts and a yearly camp at Coningham. She was assisted in all activities by her husband, Ken.

About five years after the church opened, and after much fundraising, a large hall was built in front of the church and, as well as the weekly Sunday School activities, the hall was used by a local youth group.

The weekly Church service would be conducted taken by the Methodist Minister from Glenorchy who would drive to Glenorchy after he had conducted the Glenorchy service.

Included in the Ministers who conducted the two services were Rev. Max Morton, Rev. Bruce Prewer and Rev. Jim Colville. Services at the Springfield Methodist Church ceased in the mid 1970s. Many members of the congregation moved to the Glenorchy Methodist (now Uniting) Church.

This church operated for about 20 years, it'snow owned by the Caledonian Society.