Back River Chapel

Back River Chapel is a simple almost square sandstone building. The unusual ‘windows’ on either side of the front porch appear to have been cemented in. They are in fact not windows at all, but are a feature of some churches in England, termed ‘Blind Gothic’.

In the churchyard stands a monument inscribed as follows:

Near this spot was laid to rest Betty King. The first white woman to set foot in Australia.

The foundation stone was laid 19th September 1836 and dedicated by Rev. Orton on 2nd November 1837. It had a high cedar pulpit and pews, these were destroyed by a fire in 1924.

The Hobart Town Courier 23 September 1836 reports:

Wesleyan Chapel, Back River, New Norfolk - The first stone of a very handsome little chapel at this place to be raised principally out of voluntary contributions of the inhabitants in the neighbourhood, was laid on Monday in the presence of the whole population of the township. As an indication of the good feeling of the district, and the moral and religious improvement that has taken place in the last few years, we look upon this as most gratifying. The Rev. Mr. Butters addressed the meeting in an eloquent discourse on the occasion, the ceremony of laying the stone being performed with the masonic rule by Mr. Lightfoot.

In 1925 the church was rebuilt on the remaining four stone walls at a cost of three hundred and fifty seven pounds.

The Mercury newspaper 27 July 1925, reports:

BACK RIVER CHURCH - REOPENING SERVICE

Towards the latter part of last year the Methodist Church at Back River caught fire, with the result that only the stone walls remained standing, and in places they bore traces of the fire ..

This building was last advertised for sale in May 2023 as a one bedroom, one bathroom residence.