St George the Martyr

Bishop Francis Russell Nixon, accompanied by the Rural Dean, undertook a visitation to the north-western districts of Tasmania in March 1851, contemporary reports note that during this journey he inspected the newly completed church at New Ground. It was situated on land donated by Mr. Shaw of the Hermitage.

In early January 1881, a gathering of local identities assembled at a tea meeting held to raise funds for the repair of the old church, which had fallen into a dangerous condition. With a generous contribution from the Douglas family, their efforts bore fruit six years later when, on Sunday, 16 January 1887, St George the Martyr was solemnly consecrated. The ceremony was presided over by the Bishop of Tasmania, Daniel Fox Sandford, assisted by Bishop Thornton of Ballarat, the Reverend Claude Robert, and the Reverend William Hogg, incumbent of the Mersey Parish. Contemporary accounts described the newly established church and its burial ground as “pretty and picturesquely situated.” Following the consecration, Bishop Sandford delivered an eloquent sermon to the large congregation assembled for the occasion.

In 2018, this church was on the Anglican rationalisation list for churches to be sold.