St John's Anglican Church, New Town

St John's Anglican Church is a stone structure from colonial times featuring a prominent central tower, north and south galleries, and refined architectural details throughout. The building displays the careful craftsmanship and proportions characteristic of 1830s design.

The foundation stone was laid in 1834 and the building opened for worship in 1835 under the design of civil engineer John Lee Archer. This construction period marked a time when Hobart was growing and established churches became important community anchors.

The church layout reveals how colonial society was organized, with separate spaces reflecting social divisions of the period. Walking through the interior, visitors can see how these distinct areas once served different groups in the community.

The church sits on St John's Avenue and welcomes visitors during its open hours. Inside, a carefully maintained pipe organ with intricate mechanics can be heard during services and special events.

The clock tower houses a timekeeping mechanism manufactured in London in 1818, predating the famous Big Ben tower by several decades. This early mechanism reveals the technological connections between Britain and its colonial settlements.

Location: City of Hobart

Inception: 1835

Architects: John Lee Archer

Website: http://lifenow.org.au

GPS coordinates: -42.85480,147.29710

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:40