Victoria

It was in the year 1835 that John Batman, from Tasmania, sailed up the Yarra, and chose a place for a new settlement. Less than four years after, in 1838, the first Baptist services were held in a tent, lent by Messrs. Miller and Virtue, storekeepers, and pitched where the “Argus” office now stands. The services were conducted by Mr. Peter Virtue and Mr. James Wilson.

There is some uncertainty whether a church was formed in 1839, or whether its formation was delayed by doctrinal differences. But in that year several persons were baptized on the beach below Emerald Hill, near the present Albert Park station. The first person baptized was Mrs. Samuel Crook, the administrator being Mr. Robert Reeves.

On the second occasion, the candidates were Mrs. Mo’uritz, Miss Hart and Mr. Holloway. Mr. John Joseph Mouritz was a Scotch Baptist who arrived from Ireland in 1840, and settled in Fitzroy, then known as Collingwood. There he engaged in dairying, constructed a baptistery in his own garden, and subsequently erected a church building on his property. Shortly after his arrival, he conducted services in a furniture showroom belonging to Mr. Samuel Crook, and situated where the Victoria Coffee Palace now stands.

In 1841 a move was made to Little Collins-street, where the Presbyterians granted the use of a small wooden building. Mr. Mouritz was the principal preacher, and was assisted by Mr. James Wilson, and Mr. John Lush. In December 1842, Rev. John Ham reached Melbourne en route to Sydney, but was prevailed upon to stay in Melbourne and minister to the growing congregation, conducting the services in the Mechanics Institute. Mr. Mouritz, who had discontinued services at his own home in favour of the central gathering, now resumed them, and, as already mentioned, erected a chapel in his grounds, Princes-street, Fitzroy, naming it “Rehoboth.”

On July 20th, 1843, a separate church was formed in the Mechanics Institute, Collins-street. On April 21st, 1845, the site of the present Collins-street Church was granted by the Governor. Steps had already been taken towards raising funds for a building, and Mr. Mortimer was sent to Sydney to collect, returning with “the large sum of £100.” The foundation stones of the building were laid on May 21st, Rev. John Saunders coming from Sydney for the occasion.

Although not quite completed, the building was formally opened on December 28th, 1845. The building was extended and completed in

1861. Rev. J. Ham left for Sydney at the end of 1847, and the church was temporarily served by Rev. S. Hewlett, who was followed by Rev.

W. P. Scott. As in other States, the question of “open” or “close” Communion was the occasion of controversy. The church formed by Mr. Mouritz was of the Particular and Strict order, but Collins-street was at the time upon “open” lines. From June, 1853, to April, 1858, Collins-street adopted “close” Communion, reverting on the latter date to the ~~open~~ practice.

After Rev. W. P. Scott resigned in 1850, he commenced services in the Mechanics Institute, and on October 25th, 1850, formed a church upon the “close” Communion lines. This church ultimately became the Albert-street Church. For some time after Mr. Scott left, the services at Collins-street were carried on by lay brethren, until on May 7th, 1857, Rev. James Taylor accepted the pastorate, which he held until September, 1868. He was succeeded by Rev. James Martin, who continued until his death on February 3rd, 1877.

In October, 1877, Rev. Samuel Chapman became pastor, and for nearly 23 years exercised a most powerful ministry, doing much to strengthen the position of the denomination in Victoria.

In 1848 services were commenced at Brighton, where a piece of land was donated by Mr. Bown, a member of Collins-street Church. In 1849 the Collins-street Church sent its pastor (Rev. W. P. Scott) to open a cause at Geelong, the church contributing to the expenses for three months. In 1853, another Collins-street member, Mr. Kerr~ erected at his own expense a chapel at Prahran, on ground given by Mr. Pound, Messrs. Lush and Hewlett conducting the opening services on June 19th, 1853. In the same year a Baptist cause was started at Kew, and in May, 1859, in Rowe-street, Collingwood, now the George-street Church, Fitzroy.

The Particular and Strict Baptists met for worship in several places in Victoria before having a recognised minister, the first of such being Rev. John Bunyan McCure, who arrived in December, 1854. He preached where and whenever an opportunity offered, and eventually settled at Geelong, where he was instrumental in building Mount Zion Chapel, Little Ryrie-street, in the year 1856. In 1861 he removed to Sydney. The writer has been unable to obtain further particulars of the Strict Baptists.

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