Collins Street Baptist Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Collins Street Baptist Church |
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Collins Street Baptist Church
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| 37°48′53″S 144°58′04″E / 37.8148°S 144.9677°E | |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Baptist |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | 1843 |
| Consecrated | 1862 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Joseph Reed |
| Style | Greek Revival |
| Administration | |
| Episcopal area | Australia |
Collins Street Baptist Church is a historic church in Melbourne, Australia. It's a special place for Baptists, a type of Christian faith. Located on Collins Street, it's the oldest Baptist church in Victoria. It's also the oldest Baptist church that has been continuously active in Australia since it started in 1843. The church is connected to the Australian Baptist Ministries.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's Story
The very first Baptist service in Melbourne happened in 1838. It was held in a tent! This tent was on a piece of land across from where the church stands today. The first small chapel was built on the current church site in 1845.
Building the Current Church
In the late 1850s, people decided the church needed to be bigger. The current church building opened its doors in 1862. It was designed by a famous architect named Joseph Reed. He also designed the Melbourne Town Hall and other important churches in Melbourne.
Most churches in Melbourne from that time look like old castles, with Gothic or Romanesque styles. But Collins Street Baptist Church looks different. It's built like a classical temple. It has four tall Corinthian columns facing the street. This design shows how Baptists see their church. They believe it's a community of believers, not just a fancy building.
Inside the Church Building
Baptists usually prefer churches without lots of fancy decorations. Because of this, the inside walls of Collins Street Baptist Church are plain. They are simply plastered. The church has arched windows and two aisles. The seats are arranged in a "U" shape around the center.
The Pulpit and Its Meaning
A raised pulpit stands in the middle. This highlights a key Baptist belief. They believe that reading and preaching God's Word are very important parts of their services. There isn't much decoration inside. You'll see some details in the windows and carvings on the pulpit. For a long time, there was no cross or religious symbol in the church. This has changed in recent times.
Music in the Church
Early Baptist traditions didn't always approve of music in churches. But in 1854, a small organ was put in the church. Later, in 1885, a much larger organ was installed. This organ was fixed up and made even bigger in 1974.
Central Hall
The church also owns land nearby on Little Collins Street. A nine-story building stands there. The ground floor of this building is called the Baptist Central Hall. It can seat 350 people. This hall is used for church events and other public gatherings.
Important People of the Church
Many interesting people have been part of Collins Street Baptist Church.
Ministers and Pastors
In 1981, Ronald Ham became the first minister of the church who was born in Australia. In 2000, Rowena Curtis made history. She was the first woman to be appointed to a pastoral role. Tim Costello joined the church's team in 2005. He helped lead the church's Urban Mission Unit, which is now called Urban Seed.
Since 2010, Simon Carey Holt has been the pastor. He used to teach at Whitley College, a Baptist college in Melbourne. He teaches about spirituality and ethics. Simon Carey Holt has also written several books. These include God Next Door (2007) and Heaven All Around Us (2018).
Notable Members
During the early 1900s, many women who worked for women's rights in Victoria were members. These included Cecilia Downing, Margaret McLean, and Bessie Rees. Important politicians like Denis Lovegrove and Robert Reid were also members. The Syme family, who owned The Age newspaper, including David Syme, were also part of the church community.
