From humble bluestone beginnings to a modern marvel the West Melbourne Baptist Church & Community Centre stands as a testament to resilience faith and community spirit. Established in the 1860s during Melbourne’s rapid growth the church started as a Sunday school in North Melbourne. It was run by members of the prestigious Collins Street Baptist Church.
Soon the residents of West Melbourne and Hotham now North Melbourne demanded their own services. The church became a haven for many migrants. Most had arrived in Victoria seeking their fortune in the goldfields. In 1865 a meeting was held. Baptists from West Melbourne and Hotham decided to form their own church. They acquired a uniquely shaped plot of land. It was a gift from the Crown in 1866. This land bordered Hawke Street King Street Curzon Street and Miller Street.
The first building was simple functional bluestone. One observer described its architecture as extremely severe. It was built for use and durability not for show. The church was officially formed in 1870. The Reverend W B Garner was its first minister. The church thrived. Its Sunday school boasted over 500 children. An extension was added in the 1880s. After the First World War a three-bedroom brick bungalow was added. It served as the minister’s residence on the corner of Hawke and Miller Streets.
The West Melbourne Baptist Church wasn’t just a place of worship. It played a crucial role in establishing other churches. These included Footscray in 1883 Newmarket in 1886 and Essendon in 1890. However times changed. In the 1890s inner-city populations dwindled. The economy fell into a recession. The church’s large congregation diminished. Many moved to the leafy eastern suburbs or the newer suburbs of Footscray Essendon Moonee Ponds and beyond.
In 1961 the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works announced plans to acquire the church’s land for road works. This led to the demolition of the original bluestone building in 1962. The church’s activities moved to the manse. Much of the land was leased to Kangaroo Petroleum Company later bought by Caltex. Years later in 1986 the Board of Works changed its mind. The church built a new chapel. It opened in March 1990.
In the early 2000s the lease with the oil company ended. Under Gary and Evelyn Heard’s bold leadership a new vision emerged. The Hawke & King complex was born. It’s a remarkable vertical community. It includes 74 apartments opened in July 2018. The building is stylish environmentally conscious. A portion of the apartments provide affordable housing. The church’s gathering space and community centre now sits on the complex’s southern side. The West Melbourne Baptist Church & Community Centre’s story shows adaptability. It shows a steadfast commitment to faith and the community. It’s a remarkable example of a congregation thriving through change.