Rosevears Wesleyan Methodist Church

Rosevears, formerly known as Craythorne, is situated on the banks of the Tamar River, approximately 20 kilometres north-west of Launceston.

In 1874, an advertisement in the Launceston Cornwall Advertiser called for tenders to be submitted to the Rev. Frank Tyson by 23rd December for the erection of a Wesleyan Chapel at Craythorne. By October 1875, the successful tender of Mr. Thompson had been accepted, and work was expected to commence immediately. A notice in the Examiner in November 1875 reported that the “Wesleyan body” at Craythorne was expected to be completed before Christmas.

An announcement on 1st January 1876 stated that the Wesleyan Church at Craythorne had been recently opened by Rev. J S Greer, and despite inclement weather the event was well attended. A report read by Mr F Layton noted that the total cost of the building, when finished, would be about £110.

This small timber Wesleyan Methodist Church, built in 1875, stood on a gentle rise overlooking the Tamar River. The building is simple yet dignified, reflecting the modest rural craftsmanship of late 19th century Methodist architecture in Tasmania. Its steeply pitched roof, symmetrical façade, and evenly spaced multi paned windows give it a balanced, orderly appearance typical of early Wesleyan chapels.

Constructed from local timber, the chapel retained its original rectangular form and plain weatherboard cladding. The tall surrounding trees and open grassy setting emphasises its isolation and quiet presence, evoking the character of early riverbank settlements along the Tamar. The sepia toned photograph highlights the building’s age and historic charm, capturing a rare surviving example of a small rural Methodist place of worship.

In March 1949, the unused West Tamar church at Craythorne was moved and re-erected as a Sunday School at Youngtown, beside the then Primitive Methodist Church, where it stands today.