Quaker Meeting House

From 12 February 1832 the visiting Quakers James Backhouse and George Washington Walker held periods of worship in the Quaker manner and others sought leave to join them. These included ex-English Friends who had been transported, some of whom were still prisoners, other convicts and ‘locals’, together with four current members. The gatherings were held in private homes and various rented rooms.

The Hobart Meeting began in 1833 when the first Meeting for Discipline was held on 20 September 1833 at the home of Thomas Crouch, Bathurst Street. Members present were Thomas Squire, Ann Pollard (minor), James Backhouse and George Washington Walker.

In 1837 the house at 39 Murray Street was purchased for a Meeting House by James Backhouse in 1837.

He applied for a loan to cover the price of £350 plus alterations from Meeting for Sufferings, London.

In 1880 a stone Meeting House was built behind the old weatherboard house (which can be seen under construction behind the 1st Meeting House)

and in 1960 the present site, in Boa Vista Road, NewTown, was purchased.

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