Upper Balfour Street, Baptist Church

Samuel Cozens, a Strict and Particular Baptist, arrived in Tasmania in 1867 during the time that Rev. Henry Dowling retired from the York Street Chapel. His replacement, Rev. Frederick Hibberd from Sydney, caused division among the congregation over the issue of open communion. As a result, it was decided that it would be best for Cozens to separate and start his own congregation.

In early 1869, Cozens opened a day school in his chapel at Upper Balfour Street and continued preaching there until his departure in July. He accepted a call from the Ebenezer church in North Adelaide and left York Street for the last time.

The following is a report from the Launceston Examiner in January 1872 about a fire near the Baptist Chapel on Windmill Hill:

FIRE ON THE WINDMILL HILL, - On Saturday evening a blaze was observed close to the Baptist Chapel, near Mr Hobkirk's, and Mr Arnold turned out with his reel, but found that it was only some fencing that had ignited and sent up a high flame.

Marita Bardenhagen, Launceston based Research Officer for the Tasmanian Heritage Office in September 2007 had spoken with someone who stated:

... "I suspect that the chapel is actually 1 Balfour Street, the former home of Mr. Solomon and the site of a Jewish chapel and cemetery. A new owner recently found a baptismal font (better "baptistery") under the floor (of the "hall"). The cemetery was approved for s subdivision a few years ago by the Launceston City Council, and has since been built over."

Built against the side of the chapel is a Federation house, the chapel can no longer be seen from the street.