Primitive Methodist Chapel, Commercial Road.

Written by Donald W. Clark.
Taken from "Tarnagulla - A History" which he compiled in 1985.

The Maryborough and Dunolly Advertiser of October 15th, 1858 reported "Some time ago Sandy Creek was visited by the Rev. Dobbinson, a Primitive Methodist Minister from Bendigo, who called for a meeting because he could not find a place to worship." A committee was formed to collect subscriptions and to erect a building. They had little success until four ladies, Mrs Williams, Mrs Smith, Mrs Darty and Miss Williams came forward. "They met with such success that in three weeks a chapel was built and opened, and a nice chapel it is too, quite a credit to the place."

"A tea meeting was held there on Monday, 27th September, 1859, when 300 sat down to enjoy themselves. The meeting closed at 11 pm. There has been nothing previously like it in Sandy Creek."

Some of the ministers who served at this church were the Revs. Bracewell, Pithouse, Harris, Standrin, Youlten and Nicholls.

The foundation stone of the Primitive Methodist Church at Laanecoorie was laid by Mr T. Scorer of Tarnagulla on Friday, 17th September, 1869, when copies of "The Age" and "The Tarnagulla and Llanelly Courier" newspapers and "Primitive Methodist Miscellany" were placed under the stone.

The Charge of the Primitive Methodist Church was later transferred from Tarnagulla To Laanecoorie. The Tarnagulla Church was struck by lightning and badly damaged on Sunday, 20th December, 1885, this caused the church to be closed, and was taken over as the Printing Office of the "Tarnagulla and Llanelly Courier" in January 1891. The newspaper ceased publication on Friday, 26th November, 1920.