THE enthusiasm of a few devout Christians who met in a Warrnambool house almost 150 years ago to form a local Baptist Church congregation will be celebrated during an anniversary weekend.
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Planning is in full swing for commemorative events on September 20 and 21 for what is one of the city’s oldest continuing church denominations.
It started when Andrew Griffiths hosted a gathering in his Kinross Court home on August 14, 1864, with six other people and decided to form a regular fellowship.
A month later they moved to the Temperance Hall and officially formed the church congregation on September 11. The church building was opened in October 1869 on Koroit Street where it still stands today amid various enlargements to accommodate the expanding congregation.
Current minister Pastor David Hodgens said former congregation members across Australia would be invited to the celebrations which will feature a display at the church, a thanksgiving dinner and a Sunday service.
Further information and dinner tickets are available through the church website.
“A hundred per cent of the original church building remains,” he said.
“It has been extended and modernised over the years.
“We have an amazing collection of old photographs and other items which will be displayed.”
pcollins@fairfaxmedia.com.au