New SPC Building in Launceston
Saturday August 9 was a day of great rejoicing for the Southern Presbyterian Church. Their Launceston congregation dedicated their new building in a joyful thanksgiving service.
Over the last three years, the Launceston SPC congregation has grown significantly as they welcomed fellow Presbyterian believers seeking a new church home. As a result, the small building on Abbot Street in East Launceston quickly became rather crowded. With little room for meetings or fellowship, the church leadership initiated a search for a new property.
In his grace, God soon made something available. At first it was thought that the congregation would have to purchase a warehouse or something similar and convert it into a church building. However, a nearby property became available that was once a church.
In 1927, the Methodist Church built a worship space on Chant Street in East Launceston. In 1977, the Methodists joined the Uniting Church and soon the Chant Street building bore that name. Eventually declining numbers led to the closure of this church and the sale of the building to a local disability services and support organization. It served as a training centre for this organization until the sale of the property this year to the SPC. After some renovation work, the building has now been brought back to its original purpose as a place of worship.
Seating approximately 150, the main worship space is built of brick with a wooden ceiling. In keeping with their understanding of the regulative principle of worship, the SPC doesn’t have any musical instruments installed. The sanctuary is centred on a beautifully crafted wooden pulpit. The building includes a kitchen, meeting space, and an ample fellowship hall.
The thanksgiving service was mostly led by the Launceston SPC pastor, Tom Budgen. The only exception was the opening prayer, which was led by the Hobart pastor, David Lachman. Pastor Budgen preached on Nehemiah 3, “Rebuilding the Walls.” During the service, the congregation sang Psalms 122, 48, and 27, all in beautiful a cappella harmony. The next day, the church had their first Lord’s Day service in their new building.
At the thanksgiving service were representatives from numerous Reformed and Presbyterian churches in Tasmania, including the FRCA, PCEA, PCA, EPC, and Free Presbyterian. All rejoiced at God’s gracious provision for our SPC brothers and sisters. Our prayer is that God will bless them in their building and that this place will serve as a gospel light in Launceston.
