Launceston's First Catholic Chapel

A building in Cameron Street was used by the Roman Catholic's in the late 1830s as a chapel prior to St Joseph's.

On the 12th July 1838 the first Catholic mass was held in a weatherboard building measuring 60 ft x 20 ft on the northern side of Cameron Street, between George and Tamar Streets. Mr. Frank Martini rented the building to the Catholic community for the sum of £60 per year.

Launceston Advertiser 30th August 1838:

The Catholics have erected a temporary place of worship in Cameron-street, in this town ; where divine service is now regularly performed every Sunday morning by the Rev. Mr. Cotham.

Cornwall Chronicle 30th March 1839:

NOTICE

ALL persons interested in the Erection of the ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL, at Launceston, are requested to pay the amount of their several subscriptions as early as possible to the undersigned, as the foundations stone is laid, and the building in progress.

A. Peregalli, Michael Dugan March 20, 1839

The Launceston Advertiser newspaper reported in April 1841 that the Catholic Chapel constructed in the past four or five years in Cameron Street was being replaced by handsome church built by public subscription at the foot of Cataract Hill (St Joseph's).