St Barnabas' (old)

St. Barnabas Anglican Church at Newnham has a rich and colorful history, dating back to the mid-19th century when the area was still a rural district. In 1859, the parish of Holy Trinity in Launceston extended its boundaries to include the municipality of Newnham. The old Newnham Church of England served as both a church and school, offering education to the local children from the nearby estates.

However, with the departure of the Rev. Aug. Barkway and the closure of the Old Newnham Church of England, the community was in need of a new place to worship. In response to this need, the community came together and purchased a piece of land for 25 pounds from Mr. J.C. McMichael. The tender for the building of the new church was awarded to J. & T. Gunn.

The new St. Barnabas Anglican Church was built with care and dedication, and on 25th October 1906, it was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. J.E. Manser. For over a century, the unpretentious weatherboard church has served the community, providing a place for worship and fostering a sense of community spirit. Despite its humble appearance, the little church holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Newnham, a testament to the dedication and perseverance of the community that built it.

The Bishop's charge of 1923 states that a chancel had been built. In 1959 a new hall was opened nearby and this was made into a church hall in 1966. This was converted into a modern church, and dedicated in June 1968, extensions having been added.

The black and white photograph shows the placing of the bell.

A new modern building replaced the little wooden church.