A settler, Dr Gaunt, who had arrived in Tasmania in 1831, promised to build a church for his wife, Frances. He chose a magnificent site on the eastern banks of the Tamar River, at Windermere. It is arguably the most beautifully situated church in Australia, on a promontory with sweeping views of the estuary and the steep hills of the West Tamar. On the southern side of the church, the Tamar is as wide as Sydney Harbour.

Construction of the church began in 1842 and was completed in 1843. It has been in operation ever since and its 175th anniversary will be celebrated this year – November 2018. It is claimed by some writers to be the oldest church in Australia under continuous operation.

In the early years many churchgoers would arrive by boat from along the Tamar, or from the other side, from Rosevears.

The first burial took place in 1846. Since then the tombstones have served as a history of the passing of members of the community, the saddest being those of many infants. In modern times a columbarium wall was added and now the niches also hold the remains of many loved ones.

The church is used for both weddings and funerals.

There are many surviving descendants of those identified on the tombstones in the graveyard and the ashes niches in the wall.