11 St James’ Presbyterian Church

6 Fletcher Street

St James’ Presbyterian Church sits on top of the hill with views east to Tatlow’s Beach and west to Godfrey’s on an acre of land granted by the Van Diemen’s Land Company.

The building itself was bought in London in 1855 – the first pre-fabricated church to be brought to Tasmania – and transported to Stanley at a total cost of £400.

Stand back and admire the simplicity of the seaside church and the hall next door – brought from the nearby township of Forest – and their matching cornflower blue doors. On Anniversary days the church would overflow while the hall next door was frequently booked for wedding breakfasts and church fairs.

The Ferguson family was among the earlier congregation. Meg recalled Jessie and Frederick Ferguson who married later in life and lived in Wisteria Cottage. While Jessie taught music and played the church organ, her husband Fred was a much-loved Sunday School teacher. He’s also the one who rang the church bell on Sundays.

The stained glass window facing the entrance to the church depicts St Andrew and was dedicated to Fred after he died in 1946. Inside, you’ll find a communion table, made in remembrance of a former minister, Reverend Greenwood, who served as a war chaplain during World War II but, sadly, like many other war casualties, never returned home.