Buckland Church

Buckland in the 1830’s or Prosser Plains as it was then known, was isolated and dangerous. It was the habitat of bushrangers and convict labour sent from the gaols of Richmond and Oatlands to work on the development of farming properties. It was rough and wild and there were many souls to be saved. The Lt-Governor in Hobart Town realised in 1836 that a service had not been performed in Prosser Plains by a clergyman for 7 years and the convict servants should not continue without the word of God being preached to them, and so it was very quickly decided a church should be built. The Buckland Church was completed in 1846 and is a replica of the parish church at Cookham Dean in Sussex from where the first referend, Reverend F.H. Cox originated. The Buckland Church stands large and solid as the most authentic example of early Medieval English church architecture in Tasmania. It possesses a very memorable east-facing stained glass window with stories that involve medieval monks, a churchyard, a Marquis, an Earl, William the Conqueror, the Tudors, Roundheads and Royalists, gemstones and pirates. The Buckland Church has been deconsecrated and purchased by the community (Friends of the Buckland Church Inc.). The Church is available for hire for weddings, funerals, community events, theatre, musical concerts and photo shoots.