BAPTIST CHURCH

This church, the very first in Gnowangerup was built for the Baptist congregation. A meeting was held in 1913 to consider the advisability of building a church and Rev, E. . Clugston was pastor of a Baptist Fellowship even before the building of the church. This ministry continues until January 1919.
A quote for the building was accepted by Parker and Son at a meeting in September 1913 and an opening ceremony was attended by Rev. Cairns (presumably the President of the Baptist Union) on 5th January 1914. A porch was added some years later.
During the winter of 1920. a cyclone of unusual ferocity struck the town, unroofing part of the hotel. The flying debris crashed into the side of the church causing considerable damage.

 

GNOWANGERUP BAPTIST CHURCH             #1
 

GNOWANGERUP BAPTIST CHURCH SUNDAY GROUP             #2
 

GNOWANGERUP BAPTIST CHURCH HARVEST FESTIVAL DISPLAY  1930c         #3
 

A Junior Society of Christian Endeavour was formed in January 1921, and also a Young People's Society. During the period November 1921 to December 1927 the only christian use made of the building was the holding of kindergarten Sunday School each Sunday. This was part of a very strong interdenominational Sunday School with the older children meeting in the Methodist Church. It is reported that during this period the building was under offer to other denominations.

The revival of the church was not easy as another denomination had become more firmly established and the town had not grown to any marked degree, However, with the advent of motor transport many people were able to become regular attenders of church.

 GNOWANGERUP BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL  1950            #4
L - R:    ISABELL  WELLSTEAD, CAROLINE MARSHALL,   ?   ,     ?    , YVONNE GARNETT,,     ?    .
 

THE NEW BAPTIST CHURCH 

OPENED 10th SEPTEMBER 1977
BUILT ON THE SITE OF THE TENNIS COURTS THAT WERE BEHIND THE OLD CHURCH            #5

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.

References:                 Article:      "Gnowangerup The Town" by Pearl Marshall

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Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2023