On Sunday July 23rd a full Church gathered to worship God and give thanks for His faithfulness as we celebrated the launch of ‘The Church on Albert’ it its new home in Albert Street, Mitcham.
This celebration marked the convergence of two separate stories, the first being Mitcham Baptist Church, a community that officially closed in February 2022 after more than 150 years of faithful ministry to the Mitcham community.
The winding up of Mitcham raised the question, “What’s next?” for this historically significant church in our movement? Should it be sold, or could it be utilised for a new season of ministry and mission?
While this question was in consideration, Village-Melrose Park were reflecting on their future direction. Village had been planted by Blackwood Hills Baptist 12 years prior and since then had met each Sunday in the gym of the Edwardstown Primary School. After 12 years in a hired facility that they only had access to for a few hours each Sunday, the Village Church community were keen to move into a more permanent home that they could use 7 days a week.
Thus, we had a building without a Church and a Church without a building. The agreement for Village to move into the Mitcham facility coincided with Village sensing the time was right to become independent from Blackwood Hills, with the blessing and support of the Blackwood Hills leadership.
The new beginning for the Church also led to a new name “The Church on Albert”.
At the Spring Assembly it was with great joy that we accepted and welcomed The Church on Albert as a member Church of Baptist Churches of SA & NT. Please pray for their pastor Rev Nona Gregory, and the leaders and congregation of The Church on Albert as they embark on this exciting new season in their church.
