Going to church was an important part of life in Barcaldine in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The first religions to establish a presence in town were the Church of England, Primitive-Methodists, Catholic, Presbyterian (a bit later) and Salvation Army. All had churches and/or halls attached. St Peter’s Anglican Church is the only surviving church still in service. All the others have been replaced with more modern buildings over the years or as in the case of the Presbyterian been decommissioned.
Some of the churches changed religions over the years, but there are still Catholic, Anglican and Uniting church communities as well as new entrants such as Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army barracks were in Oak Street near Peel’s hotel from 1887. They purchased Foresters Hall in 1896. Currently there is no Salvation Army presence in Barcaldine.
Church of England
The first Church of England services at Barcaldine were held in Scott’s Hall and the court house.
St Peter’s Church of England church was built in 1899 in Elm Street. The church is now Anglican.
Primitive Methodist
Two blocks of land between Yew and Elm Streets were shown as Methodist church land on the first Barcaldine town plan. The church was operating in 1887. Replaced by new building in Maple Street in 1893. Latest church is Uniting faith, built in 1953 on corner of Elm and Maple streets next to church hall.
Presbyterian Church
The Presbyterian Church was built in 1910 in Beech Street. It is currently the home of the Barcaldine Cultural Association.
Roman Catholic
First Roman Catholic Sacred Heart Church was built in 1886 in Willow Street Barcaldine, second in 1893 and the current (third) church opened in 1954 in Elm Street.
