St Andrew's

The Rev. Thomas Dove had been conducting services since the mid 1840s at the Gala Kirk at Cranbrook about 12 miles north of Swansea.

Rev. Dove purchased a block of land in Swansea and was holding regular services in the new Council Chambers in Swansea. By the 1860s Swansea had rapidly developed and there was a need for a Presbyterian church. A subscription fund was opened in September 1887 for the purchase of land, the building of a church and furnishings. The cash book lists many Swansea names who contributed to the fund.

The contractors Leckie and Gemmell were given £295 to build the church. The foundation stone cost £12 and £5 was for a silver trowel, which was most likely presented to His Excellency Sir Robert Hamilton who laid the foundation stone on the 30th November 1887.

Situated on the hill overlooking Swansea in all directions, the neat little weatherboard church and belfry welcomes visitors with the ringing of the bell. The bell was a generous gift from Messrs. R. Kennedy and Sons of the Derwent Irons Works, Hobart. St Andrew's was officially opened at 3 o'clock on Monday 30th May 1888.

The following was reported the Tasmanian News on 5th June 1888:

... On entering the building one is charmed to see that the interior is everything that could be desired. It is compact, comfortable and well proportioned.

The seats were made of blackwood and the walls up to 3 feet in height are also blackwood. Although the church was not quite free of debt it was expected that only a small sum needed to be collected.