The Church - Port Arthur

The Church - Port Arthur

Constructed in 1836-37, Port Arthur's church is a tribute to its convict builders. Built of timber and stone, the church overlooked the convict settlement from the high ground to the west and could accommodate a prison population of over one thousand souls. Never consecrated due to its usage by a number of different denominations, the church was representative of the authorities goals to reform through religion. Standing throughout the convict period, the church was destroyed in an 1884 fire and has since seen many conservation works throughout the 20th century.