Before you stands Windsor Road Baptist Church a beacon of faith in Red Hill. This church is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a living testament to the enduring power of community and devotion.
Windsor Road Baptist Church’s story began long ago. The Baptist faith took root in Queensland with early immigrants. They initially worshipped with Congregationalists and Presbyterians. They formed the United Evangelical Church. Later Baptists constituted a church in Wharf Street in the late 1850s. In 1861 a group split and began a Jireh Baptist Church.
Red Hill followers held cottage prayer meetings in J. Storie’s home. Open-air services took place on Sunday afternoons. Revs J. Kingsford and J. Straughen led them. A chapel opened for worship on 24 May 1874. It was a mission station of the Jireh church. In June 1877 a separate church formed. It was the Windsor Road church.
The original chapel was enlarged in 1878. Rev T. Leitch was ordained as pastor. By 1884 the congregation needed more space. They purchased more land to increase the church size. The Baptist community had grown significantly.
Architect John Nicholson designed the new church. George Cooper built it. In 1888 the fine building opened for worship. Rev J. Kingsford led the service. The cost was 1200 pounds including the site. A debt of 200 pounds remained. By 1901 small gifts cleared the debt. The building was then repainted.
Look closely at the Victorian Carpenter Gothic style. Notice the lancet trefoil windows. Admire the rose windows in the gables. The windows feature colored cathedral glass. The plaque records that John B Nicholson designed the church. It was opened 5 July 1888. It replaced an earlier chapel nearby erected in 1874.
Later between 1938 and 1945 a large hall was built. It complemented the church style. This hall became the Thomas Leitch Memorial Hall. It honored the church’s first pastor. The hall continues to be used for church functions.
Windsor Road Baptist Church is a local heritage place. It meets heritage criteria under the Brisbane City Plan 2014. It is historically socially aesthetically significant and representative. The Windsor Road Baptist Church remains valued by its congregation. It welcomes people of all ages and cultures. It stands as a testament to faith and community in Red Hill.
Today Windsor Road Baptist Church is a growing community. It embraces people from all walks of life. It is committed to whole-life worship. Visitors are welcome on Sundays at 10 am for their regular service. You can also join online via Zoom or Facebook. The church also runs a Thrift Shop and Lydia’s Boutique pop-up shop.