Former Methodist Church - Beechworth, Victoria, Australia
S 36° 21.668 E 146° 41.104
55H E 471746 N 5975949
A historic former Methodist Church in the picturesque rural and former gold-mining town of Beechworth
Waymark Code: WME86C
Location: Victoria, Australia
Date Posted: 04/17/2012
Views: 4
The foundation stone of the former Methodist church, Beechworth, was laid on 1 January 1857 and was completed by Easter of the same year at a cost of 2106 Pounds. Small extensions were made in 1858 and the gallery erected in 1874. The architect and builder are unknown. The Methodists were the first to hold services on the Beechworth gold fields, their initial services being conducted in 1852 in the open air by a lay preacher, Mr C Williams.
The building is now occupied by the Quercus Community Bookshop, a non profit venture based on the Community Enterprise model. All proceeds from the sale of the books will benefit the community through the activities of the Beechworth Neighbourhood Centre. All current stock has been donated by the community and the shop is staffed by volunteers.
The establishment of the book shop has been a community effort with many people,organisations and businesses giving of their time and expertise. Without their generosity this Community enterprise would not have been possible.
I'm sure the present use of the Former Methodist Church would meet with the full approval of all Methodists.
I identified the building as a Former Methodist Church by the presence of a plaque on the front wall of the entry porch which reads:
IN MEMORY OF
METHODIST PIONEERS
WHO BUILT THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
IN BEECHWORTH ON THIS SITE 1854
18-4-1854
I searched but didn't find the Foundation Stone mentioned, but my search was hampered by a large number of muggles at the likely spot. Perhaps a future visitor can take a photo of the Foundation Stone. In viewing my uploaded photos I had the thought that it could be behind the lefthand door, the one in the second photo.