Ut Si is a modern, bustling Perth cafe, converted from a small, charming convict-built church.
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Built in 1838 by convicts using convict bricks, the small Perth Methodist Church was built as other denominations established their congregations and churches in Northern Tasmania.
George Palmer Ball was the patron of the building, and the church was built as the Perth Bridge was also installed.
Mr Palmer Ball was assisting Reverend James Manton, who was the resident Methodist Wesleyan Minister in Launceston from 1835, and helped instigate the Perth Methodist Church’s construction.
Reverend Manton nearly drowned after he crossed the river following taking a service at the Perth Methodist Church.
Well-known preacher Henry Reed would walk to the Perth Methodist Church from Launceston to speak.
The Perth Methodist Church is the oldest church in the town, and was constructed in the spare Georgian style.
The church was built with a flat front, but its distinctive porch was perhaps added during the second half of the 1800s.
This is according to architect Lawrence Howroyd, who wrote 'The National Estate Study Perth' for the Longford Municipality, which is now the Northern Midlands Council.
"[The porch was installed] perhaps around 1880 when the Church of England and the Baptist Church were involved in quite ambitious building programs," Mr Howroyd wrote.
Following the Perth Methodist Church's construction, similar churches were built at Pateena, Longford and Deddington.
In 1977, the amalgamation of Methodist, Presbyterian and congregational churches saw the Perth Methodist Church become part of Uniting Church.
It remained Uniting Church until 2003, when the congregation dwindled, and subsequently joined with Longford and Cressy.
The church wasn't utilised until it became Ut Si in 2008.
The heritage-listed, privately owned church was transformed after it was purchased by a group of private partners.
Original features of the church include beams strung across its roof, which often attract questions from cafe customers.
Ut Si owner operator Julien de Sousa said the challenges of working in a heritage building were respecting the old rendered walls, soft convict bricks and the hand-cut floorboards.
He said he found joy in working in a beautiful building and garden, and he loved the appearance of the exposed ceilings and rafters “mixed with the abundant sunlight from many windows”.
