York Street Baptist Chapel

The Baptist Chapel at 113 York Street was opened on 27th December 1840. This establishment catered to the nascent congregation led by Rev. Henry Dowling, who had earlier founded Australia's first Baptist congregation in Hobart Town. The church was designed as a modest preaching box, featuring a Regency-style front facade, Gothic windows on the sides, and an integrated residence at the rear. Notably, the original windows on the North-East side remain intact to this day, they are visible from the carpark located at the back of the building.

The congregation remained small during Dowling’s period of ministry, but experienced significant growth after the Gibson family of Perth sponsored the immigration of preachers who had been taught by the Rev. Charles Spurgeon. In 1884 the congregation moved into the newly built Baptist Tabernacle at 65 Cimitiere Street.

Around 1915-1916, the Baptists discontinued the use of the old chapel. Subsequently, the Plymouth Brethren utilized the premises for a period. In approximately 1940, the Plymouth Brethren transitioned to the Gospel Hall they had constructed on Elizabeth Street. Since then, the old chapel has been repurposed as a shop, with a modern brick structure added at the front.

This building is listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register , THR Title No 14927, Folio 2 as follows:

The original building has an uncomplicated facade composition with subtle pilasters, frieze and contracting base, and pointed arch shaped multi-pane windows. There are extensive modern additions to the front and rear of the building.

Some original church marriage certificates and counterfoils are available online at the Tasmanian Archives website, see notes section for links.