History of Latrobe Chapel

Its unique beginnings were one of faith, determination and hard work, by a group of devoted individuals.

The first denomination to reach Australian shores were of the Primitive Methodist Christian faith. Two ships sailed from England, each with a Minister to service the soldiers and their families, plus the prisoners. One ship was shipwrecked and sank, the Minister and some others managed to survive, so he was delayed in reaching Australia. Not having a judge or any higher authority, other than the commander of the prison camp, to preside over any of the cases that had to be heard, the Minister was asked to take on this role. Monday to Friday he was the Judge, handing down harsh punishments to troublesome, misbehaving prisoners, and on the weekend, the same Minister would preach the gospel.

Very early in our history, the evangelist church became divided in its interpretation of the Bible, just as it has today, and consequently a breakaway of some of the congregation began and the Methodist Church was born.

Latrobe Chapel, the oldest in the area, is from this original Primitive Church.

As people of the faith grouped together, they required a minister and a meeting place, a tent was pitched in Fernberg Street opposite Government House, for all to gather for their first service, but the minister never came, strong winds sprang up and blew the tent away. They eventually got their minister, and in 1886 began to build this very chapel. The wood was milled locally and 8 gothic style leadlight windows were installed, the building was then painted white, the roof unpainted tin. Most of the congregation lived nearer Latrobe Terrace and they had to walk over steep hills to reach it, after much discussion a ballot was drawn, the result being in 1891 to take on the enormous task, of having the building, moved……..

Land was acquired along the Latrobe Terrace ridge, and the church was resettled here at number 215, by what means is unclear.

As the congregation grew and the church flourished, the building was extended some 20 years or so later, and the front stage and altar were added. A Sunday School was soon built underneath, to accommodate the large number of children in the area. 1936 for its golden jubilee year, the vestibule, windows and front fence were built by the then parishioners, they also are of heritage value to the City.

For over a hundred years the faithful sang, worshipped, blessed babies and married in this very building.

Of these, a well known local family of early times, was Charles Adsett born in Surrey England on 1 March 1843, his father John heard of the prospects of settlement on land in the new colony, through his elder sons. With some of his family he migrated at 64 years of age on the Donald McKay ship, they arrived in 1855 at Geelong first, sailed on to Sydney and then traveled to Brisbane by what means is unknown. Charles’ family resided in various places around Brisbane, believing in education, many of his descendants became well known teachers and community workers. Various occupations included a copper miner teacher, tramway man, storekeeper, blacksmith, engineer, bank officer, tailor, barrister-at-law, pharmacist, school principal, Minister and church Deacon.

In this Chapel, Charles eventually married Susan Ann Chapple and ten children were born to them. His occupations ranged from carrier 1874, a carpenter and paper bag maker. Son Ebenezer at 25 years married Polly Petfield in 1900, then Agnes Maud married Wallace Broad in 1902. Charles Adsett died in 1903 at 66 years of age, the Rev. Thomas Thatcher officiated. Grandson Nathaniel married Edith Haer in 1906. All lived in the Paddington and surrounding areas.

Interesting to note in Victorian times June was the popular month for weddings May the month for the bath, and the bouquet was used to disguise odours.

In 1959 the church was a supporter of the then historic Billy Graham Crusade in Australia. Unfortunately as modern society and people moved on to outer suburbs, they outgrew the church, and as the 1980’s drew to a close it was sold publicly & became used for other needs, consequently it fell into great disrepair.

Continued on About Us page.