And over those two centuries, there have been plenty of churches ready to accept them into their congregations.

Yet other faiths have not always had access to the benefits of such a long history in Launceston.

Every Friday, hundreds of Muslim worshippers crowd into a prayer room at the University of Tasmania's Newnham campus.

Among them is Benjamin Nitschke, who converted to Islam in 2004, moving from Queensland to Launceston in 2011. The lack of a mosque in the city was something he had to get used to.

"Just like Christian people need a church, Muslims need a mosque." Mr Nitschke said.

"The first churches were established here 200 years ago and the first Synagogue so it's probably been a long time coming."

READ MORE: Launceston sites in COVID casual contact list

In 2013, the Muslim community estimates there were between 40 and 50 families practicing the faith in Launceston. By this year, that number had grown to about 500.

To respond to the community's growth, they began actively fundraising for a mosque after a generous bequest from a member of the community was placed in to a trust to help purchase a building in Kings Meadows - a former Salvation Army building on Kay Street.

The community plans to renovate it over the coming months, seeing it as having an ideal layout.

READ MORE: Tasmanian golf clubs cull thousands of native animals

The mosque, to be called House of Guidance, is planned to be opened by the end of the year.

University of Tasmania lecturer Dr Rabiul Islam was among those to see the growth in the Muslim community of Launceston.

After living in both the UK and Canada, Dr Islam had never lived in a city without a Mosque but was grateful to UTAS for providing a space for the community.

"The mosque is our centerpiece. When I came to Tasmania I was lucky that UTAS had this space to pray," he said.

READ MORE: Two die in two-vehicle crash on Bass Highway

"Even though we didn't have a proper mosque, the prayer room was enough."

Mr Nitschke said the mosque would be a welcoming community space for all, allowing Launceston residents to gain an understanding of Islam.

He said it was entirely community-driven.

"There's no money coming from overseas, embassies, government," Mr Nitschke said

"It's all coming from local people or other people in Australia."

They both agreed - the upcoming purchase of a building for Launceston's first mosque was also a sign of Tasmania's increasing multiculturalism.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: