16 January 1970
Zion Chapel to come down - brick by brick
The controversial Zion Chapel in Rylstone stone will be demolished brick by brick.
Rylstone Shire Council decided this in the interest of safety and history.
But it will need the help of the public to do the job.
In the public interest, councillors resolved the building, regarded as a menace to young lives, should be demolished.
But because of its historical significance, and the quality of the bricks, they decided to have it carefully taken down by hand.
The bricks will be taken to the Rylstone Historical Society’s museum in Louee Street.
If funds permit, it is intended, as part of the Captain Cook Bi-Centenary celebrations, to re-erect the front wall of the chapel at the museum property1
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23 January 1970
Only four worked on Chapel
Only four people - all council employees - volunteered for the working bee to demolish the old Zion Chapel at Rylstone last week.
Another working bee will be held, however, and members of the public are asked to tell the Rylstone Health Surveyor (Mr. Prindable) when they will be available.
He response to the last working bee has been described as “most disappointing,” although council employees gave of their time freely.
The roof of the chapel was demolished and some bricks removed.
Much more work still needs to be done and the appeal for public help is made in the interests of preserving at least some of the history of the Rylstone district.
It is intended to dismantle the chapel brick by brick.