J05 – The King’s Minstrelsy

Praise is an essential element in worship, and those who are privileged to lead in it may well count it a high honour. Many have served as Church Organist during the past fifty years, for longer or shorter periods.

 

CHURCH ORGANISTS.

Miss Whiteford, 1888 to 1891.

Mr. Wilkins, 1891 to 1895.

Miss Price, 1895 (no record)

Mr. H. Marcroft, 1904 (no record).

Mr. Bowden (relieving various periods)

Miss Marcroft, 1908 to 1910.

Miss Upcroft, 1911 to 1912.

Mr. Bowden, 1912 to 1913.

Miss Pittock, 1914 to 1916.

Miss Lewis (few months) 1916.

Miss Waldock, 191 7 to 1919.

Mr. Overtori, 1919-1938.

 

CHOIR MASTERS.

(Records not complete.)

Mr. Thomas, 1912 to 1914.

Miss Pittock, 1914 (few months).

Mr. V. Prowse, 1916 to 1921.

Mr. Whitton, 1921 to 1922

Mr. R. Overton, 1923 to 1935.

Mr. Thomas, 1935 to 1936.

Mr. R. Patten, 1936 to 1938.

 

For all who have led the Praise of the Sanctuary, we are deeply grateful. We must express our very best thanks to our musical brothers, Messrs. Overton, who have served the church so well as Organist and Choir Master—Mr. T. Overton for 19 years and Mr. R. Overton for 12 years.

 

Return to Jubilee index

J04 – The King’s Pursebearers

The finances of a Church require most judicious handling, especially when so few of the members can boast of worldly wealth. Generous giving has been encouraged. Adverse balances have to be avoided as far as possible, mortgages and loans have at times to be negotiated and prompt repayments arranged for. Salaries must be provided for, and current expenses defrayed. The King’s coin, frequently laid on the altar of self-sacrifice, must be regarded as a sacred trust and spent with care.

The treasurers who have served the Church have been:

Mr. Clague, 1888 to 1892, four years.

Mr. Hubbard, 1892 to 1900, eight years.

Mr. G. Patten, a few months in 1901.

Mr. Marcroft, 1901 to 1903, two years.

Mr. Vine, 1904 to 1908, four years.

Mr. G. Patten, 1908 to 1933, 25 years.

Mr. H. Patten, 1933, still in office.

We would draw your attention to the lengthy period of the late Mr. G. Patten’s term of office. We would like to link his name with the name of his devoted wife, Mrs. Patten Senr., who also assisted in the ministry of Purse Bearer.

We place on record our deep gratitude to God for the great mercies of past years in the spirit of liberality granted to the membership of the Church. With our new obligations in paying off the debt on our school building, we would remind our members and friends of our financial obligations and pray they may be as devoted and liberal in their giving as has been the case with past members.

We desire to pledge ourselves anew to the service of Jesus Christ and to our fellow Christians, and pray that we may fully realise our Christian privileges and experience a larger measure of spiritual blessing.

 

Return to Jubilee index

J03 – The King’s Recorders

During the fifty years of history, the church has not had many in the Secretarial Office. But those who have been in the position have skilfully wielded the pen and have rendered much unobstrusive service, for which the Church is deeply grateful.

Among these we mention:

Mr. W. Marcroft, 1888 to 1901, 13 years.

Mr. G. Patten, 1901 to 1903.

Mr. F. Robinson (now Rev.) three months, 1903.

Mr. Hey, acting, one month, 1903.

Mr. J. W. Marcroft, 1903 to 1916, 13 years.

Mr. Page, September 1916 to 1924, eight years.

Mr. A. Smith, 1924 to January, 1926.

Mr. E. W. Watts, 1926, still in office.

You will notice the lengthy period some of these brethren were in office. The Church is indebted to them for their devoted service.

 

Return to Jubilee index

J02–The King’s Ambassadors

The minister of Parramatta Church, Rev. J. Straughen, was the first acting minister, and had the oversight of the church from 1888 to 1897.

Rev. E. Price was honorary Pastor from 1897 to 1901.

Rev. C. T. Way commenced his ministry in February, 1901, and continued until 1905 (first term).

Mr. Way purchased the property upon which this building stands during the second term of his ministry—1908 to 1915—and offered it to the Church, provided they raised the sum of £130, equivalent to the value of the land, within a stated time. The Church took up the challenge and gratefully accepted the generous gift of the Pastor. This happened in 1909, and the members got to work preparing for the building of a new Church.

Rev. H. D. Archer was Pastor from 1905 to 1907, having received the call when Pastor at Castlemaine, Victoria. Unfortunately, Mr. Archer’s health was against him, and in 1907 he resigned and went to reside at Bathurst.

Rev. A. Metters, 1907 to 1908. The ministry of Rev. A. Metters was also of brief duration. Mr. Metters came from Devonport, Tasmania, and in his ministry at Granville had also the oversight of Liverpool Church.

Rev. T. C. Way, 1908 to 1915. Second term.

Rev. H. Halmarick, 1915 to 1916—eleven months. Mr. Halmarick’s ministry was of brief duration, too.

Rev. S. A. McDonald—1916 to 1920, Mr. McDonald had a trying time during his ministry through the war period. Under his ministry the work was consolidated.

Rev. H. Clark. 1921 to 1923. Mr. Clark’s ministry yielded fruit and we had the joy of witnessing many pass through the baptismal waters. During his ministry in Granville, Mr. Clark was Vice-President and President of the Baptist Union, and on that account he was away from his pulpit many Sundays. The Church willingly helped Mr. Clark in his Union activities.

Rev. E. H. Swan. December, 1923, to May, 1927. Mr. Swan attracted many to the services and the mid-week meetings grew in numbers. Many were won for the Master during his ministry in Granville.

Rev. J. H. Deane, B.A., B.D. 1927 to 1933. In calling to the ministry Mr. Deane (then a High School teacher), the Church brought before the notice of the Baptist Union, a young man of high Christian ideals and a man of scholastic ability. Mr. Deane spent a period in the Baptist College as student, at the same time acting as Pastor, being ordained to the full ministry in 1930. During Mr. Deane’s ministry at Granville, he was appointed Assistant Principal of the Baptist College. After a period of six years’ ministry, he resigned to take the oversight of the Blackheath Church. Cultured and devout, his preaching attracted many to the Saviour.

Rev. C. G. Orford, L.Th. 1934 to 1936. In January, 1934, Mr. and Mrs. Orford came into our midst to carry on the work vacated by the former Pastor and his wife. Mr. Orford’s ministry was a short one, he resigning in 1936. During Mr. Orford’s ministry, the attendances were well maintained, and his preaching was of a high order and attracted large congregations.

Rev. J. Douglas Mill. 1936. Our present Pastor, Rev. J. Douglas Mill, commenced his ministry in December, 1936, and is still with us. He and his wife have endeared themselves to the Granville folk, and we trust they will long be spared to minister for the King of Kings in this part of His vineyard.

 

Return to Jubilee index

J01 – Introduction

The 50th Anniversary of a Church of Jesus Christ affords an excellent vantage point from which to survey the past and anticipate the future. It is a period which lies well within the memory of those who were fairly young when it began, and who have shared in its progress. It inspires mingled penitence and gratitude as its failures and successes are recalled, and wisely reviewed, it may inspire to nobler service than any past days have seen.

The history of the church gives proof of the continued activity of the Risen Lord through the power of the Spirit. It records faithful service on the part of many of His devoted servants. It tells of ministries by which the truth of God has been defended and diffused. It honours the memory of pioneers who served their generation by the will of God, and then fell asleep. And it calls upon a younger generation to seize the torch which aged and feeble hands pass on to them, and to carry it on undimmed through the years!

FORMATION OF THE CHURCH.

On Thursday, 11th October, 1888, a public meeting and devotional service was held in Blaxcell Street church building, at which the Revs. J. Straughen, J D. Brown, J. A. Soper, and a number of Parramatta Church members were present. The Rev. J. A. Soper, President of the Baptist Union of New South Wales, presided, and at the close of the devotional meeting, the Granville friends were formed into a Church with fifteen members.

FIRST MEMBERS.

Mesdames Barnicoat, J. W. Marcroft, F. Marcroft, Osborn and Hillier.

Misses M. Rice, S. Barnicoat, A. Whiteford, M. Osborn and E. Osborn.

Messrs. Barnicoat, J. W. Marcroft, F. Marcroft, T. Osborn and J. Clague.

Rev. J. Straughen, minister of Parramatta Church, consented to act as Pastor, and had the oversight of the church from 1888 to 1897.

Mr. W. Marcroft was elected Secretary, Mr. Clague was elected Treasurer, and Miss Whiteford as Organist.

 

Our survey of the past fifty years gives proof that God has richly blessed the fellowship and ministry of the church. By the grace of God, much has been accomplished and the chief note in our song of Jubilee must be a note of praise.

Good work has been done by many faithful workers. Christ has been exalted and His Kingdom extended. Believers have been edified and sinners converted. The young have been taught, and as they have grown up many have dedicated their lives to Jesus Christ for service either at home or abroad.

What the future holds we cannot tell, but we know that “He hath been mindful of us; He will bless us.”

During the fifty years 520 members have enrolled. Many of the former members have fallen asleep in Jesus. Many have removed to other parts of this and other States, and are using their gifts in other fields of service.

Prior to the formation of the Church, Sunday School was held in an upper room above a shop in South Street. This work amongst the young was started by the late Mr. W. Ardill, and, under his guidance, was the means of attracting many boys and girls.

We have with us Mr. Marcroft, foundation member and Secretary for many years.

The present church building was erected in 1911, during the ministry of Rev. C. T. Way.

The Official Opening and Dedication took place on Saturday, 28th October, 1911—twenty-three years after the founding of the church in 1888.

The door opening ceremony was performed by Mr. W. Buckingham, and the dedicatory address was given by Rev. B. Gawthrop.

The following day, Sunday, 29th October, special services were held, at which the pastor, Rev. C. T. Way, Rev. C. J. Tinsley, Rev. F. Robinson, Rev. C. Marcroft, Rev. J. Leech and Rev. J. Barker took part.

During the period of demolition of the Blaxcell Street Church in 1911 and the re-erecting of the building in William Street as a Sunday School, services were held in Columbia Hall (now demolished) in Good Street, opposite Mr. Patten’s store.

The present Church building was renovated and the wooden fence replaced by a brick wall during the ministry of Rev. C. G. Orford; also negotiations were entered into for the purchase of Jubilee Hall.

The Jubilee Hall was officially opened and dedicated during the early days of Rev. J. Douglas Mill’s pastorate, in 1937.

The Honour Roll in the church reminds us of the members and adherents who served their King and Country in the Great War, some paying the supreme price with their lives.

Of late years, the work has been greatly helped on with the assistance of a band of devoted Christian young men and women. Many are Sunday School teachers and helpers in the Christian Endeavour Societies.

The Ladies’ Guild are active in their sewing meetings, and each year many garments are made and distributed to needy families in the district.

The young ladies of the church are organised in the Senior Girls’ Missionary Union, and keep the interest in Mission work well before the congregation and raise funds for Mission work.

The Men’s Morning Meeting is a live body, and helpful meetings are held each Sunday morning, and men from other churches are attracted to these meetings. Interchange of visits to other Men’s Societies strengthen interest in the work.

The C.E. work is divided into four Societies—Junior “A,” Junior “B,” Intermediate, and Young People’s Societies, the whole under the General Superintendent, Mr. K. Flatters. Each group has its own Superintendent, Secretary and Treasurer, and the keenest interest is manifest in the work “For Christ and the Church” by all the young peop1e.

Young men of the church conduct Open Air Sunday School in the back streets, where they gather around them boys and girls and tell them Bible stories. We believe their efforts will be blessed.

Since our present Pastor’s advent, the choir seating has been rearranged on platforms each side of the pulpit. The choir renders valuable help with their leading of the praise in the services each Sunday, and on special occasions are always ready to help with their musical talents.

 

Time would fail to tell of all who have in many ways aided the work which, by the Grace of God, the Church has done during the fifty years of her history.

Many deacons have devoted their time, their means, their business acumen, their best thought to the highest interests of the church and have assisted the successive ministers to the limit of their ability. Others have used their gifts in ways that often go unrecorded and unpraised. They have decorated the platform with flowers, acted as agents and recorders for the “Australian Baptist,” audited church accounts and rendered many other willing services.

With grateful hearts the past we own,

The future, all to us unknown

We to Thy guardian care commit,

And peaceful leave before Thy feet.

 

Return to Jubilee index

Baptist Churches

footer-logo2The Granville Community Baptist Church is affiliated with the Baptist  Association of NSW & ACT, a voluntary group of Baptist churches that hold to a common purpose, beliefs and values and are working towards a common set of vision pictures. See the Baptist Churches site for more information.

About us

There has been a Baptist Church in Granville for over 100 years. In the last decade Granville Baptist Church joined with South Granville Baptist forming the Granville Community Baptist Church.  The average weekly attendance at morning service would be from 50 to 70. The congregation ranges in age from babies and toddlers to those well into retirement.

More information:

 

Contact information for the Granville Community Baptist Church