Deloraine Kingdom Hall

The beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses have sparked controversy throughout their history. As a result, the denomination has faced opposition from local governments, communities, and various religious groups. Numerous Christian denominations view the interpretations and doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses as heretical.

In the early 20th century, a member of the International Bible Students Association, the precursor to Jehovah's Witnesses, embarked on distributing Bible study publications across Tasmania. Among the recipients of this literature was Tom Anderson, the postmaster in Queenstown. Anderson and his wife subsequently embraced the teachings and became adherents of the faith. Around this same period, E. Brewster took up the mantle of preaching throughout the state. By approximately 1908, Bible Students had established a presence in the Westbury area, and their activities soon extended to the northeast region of Tasmania.

By 1934, Jehovah's Witnesses had established radio station 7UV in Ulverstone to disseminate their religious teachings. A decade later, in 1945, they acquired their inaugural Kingdom Hall in Hobart, marking a significant milestone in their establishment within Tasmania.

O n Sunday 22nd March 1990 around 170 people gathered for the dedication of the Deloraine Kingdom Hall, the program was as follows:

At midday, attendees were provided with a light lunch, and the main program commenced at 2:00 p.m. This program included a concise history of the Jehovah's Witnesses in the Chudleigh-Mole Creek area, along with reminiscences from the 1930s when conditions were markedly different. During that era, meetings were held in private homes with gatherings of around 16 individuals.

In the 1950s, the method of delivering the Kingdom message evolved to include the use of gramophone records. One memorable account from this period recounts a woman who quipped, "I don't like the tune, but I like the words." The first Kingdom Hall in the area was constructed in 1956 at the corner of Mole Creek Road in Chudleigh. By this time, approximately forty individuals had relocated to other parts of Tasmania, yet the work of the congregation continued to expand.

In 1986, a building committee was formed to address the growing needs of the congregation. They deliberated on whether to expand the existing hall or relocate. Initially, most Witnesses resided locally, but with improvements in the road system and the population growth in nearby areas such as Elizabeth Town, Golden Valley, Bogan Gap, Westbury, and Deloraine, the decision was made to construct a new Kingdom Hall in Deloraine.

In May 1988, despite the rain, a 14m x 28m concrete slab was poured, with work beginning at 6:00 a.m. and concluding by noon. Remarkably, the Hall was completed in just four days, although landscaping was delayed due to inclement weather. The construction was significantly aided by the generosity of the local community. Notable acts of kindness included a farmer who collected insulation from town and donated a sheep, and a butcher who made a cool room available for use.

In March 1989, the congregation's name was officially changed to the Deloraine Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. The congregation now enjoys regular meeting attendances of approximately 90 persons.