Hastings Congregational Church

From the inception of the Hastings settlement, Congregational services, were diligently conducted twice each Sabbath day, along with a Sabbath school under the guidance of Mr. William McDougal.

In mid-November of the year 1880, Mr. John Langley, who presided as chairman of the building committee, formally issued a call for tenders concerning the construction of a weatherboard church in Hastings.

In January of 1881, a meeting of the building committee was convened to evaluate the seven tenders submitted for the construction of a new edifice. The tenders varied in cost, ranging from £73 to £139. After careful consideration, the committee selected Mr. Alex. Jarger's tender of £89. The proposed structure was to feature a stone foundation supporting a weatherboard building, with dimensions of 40 feet in length by 20 feet in width, and a sloped floor. Additionally, a porch measuring 10 feet square was included in the design. The already completed foundation stone, was to be placed beneath the central window and inscribed with the dedication: 'In Memoriam, Annie Matilda Hay 1881'. It was expected the church would be completed within 4 months.

T he following article was published in the Huon Times in March 1921.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT HASTINGS - A Church Burned

A very destructive fire at Hastings on Saturday (writes our Dover

correspondent) did a lot of damage.

The fire broke out in the bush and spread to a large heap of sawdust

in the vicinity of the old sawmill. The mill has been partially 'dismantled' the roof and other parts of it having been removed some time ago.

A number of houses, the state school and the Congregational Church were quickly threatened by the flames. A band of workers toiled hard to save the houses and the school and were successful in their efforts, but the church was destroyed.

A number of women, among them Mrs. McDevitt, a very old lady, Mrs. Craig and Mrs. McDevitt, jun. pluckily attempted to save the building. They managed to get out the organ and a few of the seats and books but the remainder of the contents, together with the building, were consumed by fire. The building was not insured, and the loss will be considerable. The heap of sawdust was still burning on Monday, but the subsequent heavy rain has prevented the fire doing any more mischief.