A newly developed audio tour is helping shed light on the history of St Matthias Anglican Church in Windermere.
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The audio tour has been developed by church parishioners Jon and Margaret Hosford and is accessible via a QR code or through the Holy Trinity Launceston website.
Mrs Hosford said the project was the result of several months’ research.
“We had a conservation management plan drawn up by some conservation architects in Hobart and one of the things they suggested was that we make more interpretation available to the public so they are able to learn more about it,” Mrs Hosford said.
“It's only meaningful if people know the stories behind it.”
Constructed in 1843 by Dr Matthias Gaunt, St Matthias is one of the oldest continually used churches in Australia.
Mr Hosford said Dr Gaunt had been given a grant of 2650 acres in the East Tamar after arriving from England in 1831.
“He was one of the first viticulturalists in the state and won prizes with his grapes and viticulture skills,” Mr Hosford said.
“The lovely story is that he promised his wife Frances that if there wasn't a church in the area in which he settled he'd build one for her, so true to his promise he built this.”
The listen to the tour click here.
