Western Australia

Western Australia was the last of the States in which the Baptists established themselves. Prior to 1894 services were held in Perth by Mr. George Johnson, but no organised work was carried out until that year.

Mr. J. H. Cole, a capable member of the Victorian Preachers’ organisation, proceeded to Perth, and relinquished business for the ministry. Meetings were held in the Perth Town Hall in October, 1894, and a church was formed. Under Mr. Cole’s gracious ministry the work prospered, and other fields were occupied, the first church building being at Bayswater in 1896. Mr. Cole returned to Victoria, and was succeeded by Rev. A. S. Wilson, of Adelaide, a young man of unbounded enthusiasm, son-in-law of Rev. Silas Mead.

Great progress was made, and a fine church was erected in Museum-street, and opened on May 5, 1899. Mr. Wilson felt led to advocate “open” membership, and in April, 1900, an attempt was made to alter the constitution of the church. After weeks of discussion, a separation was inevitable, and on the first, week of August, 1900, under the leadership of Mr. J. W. Jaques, forty Baptists met in the old Y.M.C.A. rooms, and decided to form another church upon “close” membership lines. This was done on August 12, 1900, in the Oddfellows’ Hall, William-street. The new church invited Rev. E. Dybing, of Hamilton, Victoria, to become its pastor. Mr. Dybing returned to Victoria in September, 1902, and was succeeded by Rev. G. B. W. Filmer.

Meanwhile the Museum-street Church had determined to erect a splendid stone edifice in North Perth, the foundation-stone being laid by Rev. Silas Mead on July 6, 1904. It was, however, found difficult for the mother church to carry on this work, and negotiations were opened with the William-street Church, which resulted in the latter purchasing the new building for £1250, and on May 1, 1905, they took possession of the building, ceased to be known as the William-street Church, and took the name of the North Perth Baptist Church.

Churches were formed at South Fremantle 1895, Katanning 1896, Claremont 1898, Ravensthorpe and Wagin 1899,, but it is not our purpose in these articles to treat upon recent happenings.

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