Here at the Evangelical Chinese Church in Melbourne, history whispers from every corner. The Evangelical Chinese Church began in August 1978. Four families from a Chinese church in Melbourne City wanted a Chinese church in the eastern suburbs. More Chinese migrants and refugees were settling there then.
Under Rev. Ang Hoe Peng’s guidance, the Eastern Suburbs Chinese Christian Fellowship started. Services were at St. Andrew’s Uniting Church in Box Hill. Mandarin and English were used every Sunday at 2:30 pm. A Sunday school also began. The young fellowship faced early challenges but persevered.
In 1981, the Fellowship decided to become a church. In 1982, it formally registered as Evangelical Chinese Church. The Evangelical Chinese Church continued reaching out to migrants and refugees. Bible study cell groups formed and grew. Some came to know the Lord and were baptized. The Church committee wanted to buy a property for the church base. A residential property in East Doncaster was purchased in mid 1982.
But the Lord had other plans. The East Doncaster property was exchanged with the Salvation Army. Four months later, they got the building at 642 Elgar Road, Boxhill North. The Evangelical Chinese Church could now hold services on Sunday mornings at 11:00 am. The more convenient time attracted more people and the church grew.
Significant developments marked the period from 1984 to 1988. The Youth Group formed in April 1983. More young people joined the church. The Evangelical Chinese Church wanted to minister to English speakers too. An English service started in April 1984 at 9:15 am. The church grew and felt the need for a full-time pastor. In September 1984, Rev. K.S. Teoh from Malaysia was called to be the pastor. Rev. H.P. Ang passed away in November 1984. The Church Committee oversaw the church for the next year and a half.
During that time, several ministries began. A Chinese school teaching Mandarin started in February 1985. The Women’s Prayer Fellowship started in January 1986. The Agape Fellowship began in February 1986. It cared for the needs of singles. W.Y. Ang was appointed Associate Pastor in February 1986. Rev. K.S. Teoh and his family arrived in Melbourne in April 1986. He took up the pastorate. Cantonese speakers were migrating to Australia. So, the Cantonese service started in November 1986. Rev. K.S. Teoh convened the first Annual Missionary Convention in April 1987. The Mandarin Youth Fellowship started in June 1987.
In July 1987, the adjacent property was purchased. It provided more space for the Sunday school. Small church camps were held before. But the first big family camp was in December 1988 near Lakes Entrance. It has been an annual event since then.
In May 1989, a ministry started in Geelong. It was 90 km west of Melbourne. In Melbourne, the Cantonese service time changed in June 1989. It moved to 10:30 am. The number of attendees grew dramatically. The sanctuary could not hold the English and Bilingual congregations. Extension work was done from October to December 1989. Another property was purchased in April 1990.
In October 1990, each service became a separate congregation. The Evangelical Chinese Church became a three-congregation church. It consisted of Bilingual, English, and Cantonese congregations. Each had its own governing body. Each congregation decided its own affairs. The Cantonese Youth Fellowship formed in December 1990. In September 1991, the ministry at Frankston commenced. Pastor Jian Ho was inducted as pastor in January 1992. The Cantonese service moved to Koonung High School’s auditorium at Boxhill North.
In 1994, the Millpark Ministry commenced. It met the needs of migrant workers. The Evangelical Chinese Church purchased Blackburn Baptist Church. The English and Cantonese congregations moved to the new premises in September 1995.
Rev WY Ang was ordained in 1995. Pastor Kee Lau was appointed as Pastor of ECC Geelong. Dr. Sutherland was appointed as Teaching Pastor. Rev Sam Ho pastored the Cantonese congregation. The ECC Board became the ECC Council.
The 20th Anniversary was celebrated on August 30th, 1998. There was a Combined Thanksgiving Service. A Thanksgiving Dinner followed at a city restaurant. A souvenir magazine and drink coasters were presented. A Thanksgiving concert was held the following Saturday.
After the 12th missionary Convention, the church supported Lisu Trinity Bible School in Myanmar. In 2003, the Evangelical Chinese Church celebrated its 25th Anniversary. Today, the Evangelical Chinese Church continues to serve. It adapts to meet the needs of its diverse congregations. Its history reflects faith, growth, and community service.