The path to the Deddington Chapel

Deddington
Tiny village south east of Launceston notable for its impressive chapel
A tiny village located 38 km south east of Launceston, Deddington, and the nearby house 'Patterdale', were named after villages in Oxfordshire and the English Lakes District by the artist, John Glover.

In a brochure published in 1967 the Historical Committee of the National Trust described Deddington Chapel, the village's greatest asset, in the following terms: 'At Deddington, a small English-like hamlet, about 24 miles south-east of Launceston, along the Nile River, can be found an Inn, a Post Office, a small hall, a few cottages, the remains of an old gaol, and a Chapel. This Chapel was built one hundred and twenty five years ago and is closely associated with John Glover, the most prominent and important artist ever to settle in Van Diemen's Land. He lived at nearby Patterdale and worshipped in this small chapel. He, with his wife Sarah, are buried by the western wall.

'The Chapel was opened for worship by November 1842. It was built on land given by Robert Pitcairn, the owner of Nile Farm. The building, of the simplest design, set amongst the native trees is said to have been designed by John Glover...'

The brochure goes on to list the settlers who helped build the tiny church and then explains the stipulation that 'the land and burial ground was solely for the use of Protestants' and that Presbyterians had full use of the chapel until they failed to carry out services. This tradition lasted until the turn of the century when the village became so reduced in size that services stopped and the church fell into disrepair. It was finally restored by the National Trust in 1967 and celebrated its 150 th anniversary in good condition.

The Encyclopaedia of Australian Art outlines Glover's achievements in the following terms: 'He was a skilful and prolific painter of landscapes with a reputation extending to France, where he attracted the interest of Louis XVIII. The French king bought Glover's pictures, presented him with a gold medal, and was said to have aroused his interest in migrating to Australia. A man of considerable wealth, Glover embarked from Gravesend on 20 Sept. 1830, arriving Launceston, 18 Feb. 1831, Hobart, 1 Apr. 1831. In Mar. 1832 he set off by wagon for Mills Plains to occupy his holding - a government grant of 2,560 acres. He bought an additional 5,098 acres, built a large house, Patterdale, a church at the nearby village of Deddington and lived a happily family life as a country squire and successful painter...in Tas. he discovered a new landscape, light, foliage and atmosphere and responded to the raw and primitive features of the new country perceptively enough to attain new individuality and distinction. The rusticity of his new work became its greatest strength. A large, heavy man with two clubbed feet, Glover became a patriarchal figure. Two of his four sons...were also painters.'

Glover's house, 'Patterdale', still stands and is located 4 km east of Deddington. A two storey Georgian house built in 1832, it is an unusual combination of rubble stone (the first floor) and timber (the second floor).

Things to see:  

Deddington Chapel

Deddington Chapel
This Chapel was built one hundred and twenty five years ago and is closely associated with John Glover, the most prominent and important artist ever to settle in Van Diemen's Land. He lived at nearby Patterdale and worshipped in this small chapel. He, with his wife Sarah, are buried by the western wall.

'The Chapel was opened for worship by November 1842. It was built on land given by Robert Pitcairn, the owner of Nile Farm. The building, of the simplest design, set amongst the native trees is said to have been designed by John Glover...'