Humble Beginnings

Midway through 1884 an inspired missionary to Tasmania arranged for an advertisement to be placed in the Launceston Examiner newspaper seeking Christians interested in forming a church…the foundations were laid for the formation of the first Church of Christ in the Launceston area.

In 1913 a mission tent erected on the corner of the Kings Way and Brisbane Street saw two hundred & seventy one people commit their lives to Christ. 

Nine original members began meeting in private homes, the Bijou Theatre and the Temperance Hall.

Growing members resulted in the need for a permanent place of worship.  The Margaret Street chapel was purchased in 1913 and the members continued to congregate there for over 80 years.

Within twelve months of occupying the Margaret Street chapel, wings were added to each side to accommodate the growing attendees.

Ever increasing numbers inevitably led to the need for larger premises.  In 1994 a factory site in Frederick Street was purchased and extensive renovations were undertaken.

The Frederick Street renovation sufficed for the next nine years, but with a growth rate of over one hundred percent in this period, the need arose for even larger premises.  Ironically a newspaper advertisement led to the consideration of another huge factory sire.  After lengthy negotiations the majority of the Coats Patons property was bought in 2002.

Coats Patons: Lifeblood to the City

Patons & Baldwins grew from Hames Baldwin’s small wool business in Halifax, England, which started in 1785and John Paton’s spinning works in Alloa, Scotland, established in 1914.  The two industries merged in 1920 and the first overseas venture was to establish a mill in Launceston.

Employees heading home from their shift in the year 1934.  At its peak Patons and Baldwins employees over 2400 people.

Construction commenced on the first stage of the Paton’s building and Baldwins site in March 1922.  Within eight weeks a large portion of foundation had been readied and much brickwork laid.  Almost all of the project was undertaken by Launceston trades people.

The original stage was completed in July 1923.  It covered four and a half acres with a floor space of over 18,500 metres.

The fist machines became operational in August of 1923, with a dummy run held at the opening of the mill.  The first outward delivery was made on the 20th December of the same year.

By 1933 the factory had increased its area by over fifty per cent and had added two extra stories to the warehouse block.  During World War 2 the plant ran almost non-stop, working on government and military contracts seven days a week.

Very little development occurred for a period of twenty years.  But in 1955 a program commenced which saw the factory increase in size by fifty per cent, the buildings covering an area of ten acres situated in Baldwins changed it’s name following a merger with Central Agency.  The now Coats Patons continued the two main brand identity products Coats’ sewing threads and Patons’ knitting yarns. Coats Patons was the largest textile factory and major employer in this city since 1923 making it a very important part of Launceston’s history.  Those employed here were like members of an extended family.  Due to increasing costs and an inability to compete in an ever-changing market Coat’s Patons was forced to close its doors in October 1997.