Auld Kirk

First services in the area were said to be held in a long hallway at Richmond Hill , the estate of Mr. James Reid (Reed).

The Auld Kirk at Sidmouth, near Whirlpool Reach, was built by both convict and free labour. Messrs Hancock and Taylor were awarded the contract. The stone came from two quarries, one of which is located on a hill behind the Kirk. The walls were two feet thick, it took many hours of hard labour to construct. One of the stonemasons was Mr. John Fowler who lived on the East Tamar, sadly he was drowned while crossing the river to work on the Kirk. Mr. Francis Young Wilmore J.P. (Wilmour) from Blackwood Creek, donated the bell.

The Examiner newspaper 26th April 1843 reported:

WEST TAMAR CHURCH - The minister's house is nearly completed, and the walls of the church at their full height; but considerable delay has taken place in consequence of the aid guaranteed by the government not being so promptly made as could be wished. We, however, notice that a warrant has been issued from the audit office for an instalment, and we trust that the work will now be vigorously prosecuted, and that the Presbyterians in the vicinity will soon occupy their place of worship.

In July 1846 the Rev. James Garrett was appointed to the West Tamar Church. Rev. Garrett had studied medicine at the University of Glasgow and attended to the bodily as well as the spiritual needs of his parishioners. Garrett served the parish for thirty years.

Tragedy struck on the 6th September 1900 when a neighbourhood burn off got out of control, sparks lodged in the Kirk's shingle roof and spread throughout the building. The church records at the time were stored in the Beaconsfield manse, but in 1906 his also burnt down and all records were lost.

The residents of Sidmouth petitioned the Presbytery in 1912 requesting to mortgage the church to raise £100 to restore the building. Their request was futile as no funds were available, so collectors were appointed to canvas the area. The sum of £170 was soon raised, and with a personal guarantee of £100 to the Commercial Bank the restoration was underway.

Far from completion with walls still showing the fire and smoke damage, two services for the rededication of the Kirk were held on Sunday 4th May 1913. On the 10th June 1913 the Auld Kirk was formerly re-opened.

The centenary celebrations of the Auld Kirk took place on Sunday 16th December 1945.

The Auld Kirk at Sidmouth is listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register as follows:

*Sidmouth Presbyterian Church is of historic heritage significance because of its ability to demonstrate the principal

characteristics of a freestone Victorian Georgian ecclesiastical building.*

*This church is of historic heritage significance because of its association with the general community as a religious

and townscape landmark.*