Northside Baptist - History

In 1996 Northside Baptist Church celebrated its Centenary, one hundred years of service for Jesus Christ in the city of Sydney. The following is a summary of highlights for those first 100 years.

• 1880s - First attempts to establish Baptist work on Sydney's North Shore.
• 1886 - Baptist church services first held in Carrington Hall on Miller Street in what was then known as "St Leonards" - now North Sydney.
• Services moved to Watersleigh Hall in Neutral Bay, then back to Carrington Hall and finally the School of Arts.
• 1887 - J Berry Estate gives land grant (now 65 Willoughby Rd, Crows Nest) to Baptist Union of NSW
• Early attempts to begin a church faltered.
• 1896 - North Sydney Baptist Church constituted at the School of Arts with 13 foundation members.
• 1897 - North Sydney Baptist Church joined the Baptist Union of NSW.
• 1900 - Foundation stone of the first church building is laid on the land in Willoughby Road.
• 1900 - First service is held on 21st October.
• 1906 - Nine members transfer membership to establish a new church at Mosman.
• 1907 - A second parcel of land next to the existing building was purchased (No 63 - corner of Ernest St) and work began on the new sanctuary.
• 1909 - (Mar) Five memorial stones laid.
• 1909 - (Nov) A new building capable of seating 650 people officially opened.
• 1914 - A pipe organ is purchased for £365 by Mr J Rada as a memorial to his wife, Marion Helen.
• 1918 - The first missionary Miss Effie Steed, goes to East Bengal to serve with Baptist Foreign Missionary Society (now ABMS).
• 1919 - Flu epidemic - services held outside on the lawn.
• 1921 - Electric light replaces gas lights and an electric pump is installed for the organ.
• 1927 - A number of members transfer their membership to become foundation members of Northbridge Baptist Church.
• 1929/30 - Depression years - Church opens a soup kitchen every Wednesday.
• 1932 - Sydney Harbour Bridge opens.
• 1938 - Miss Eileen Garrard goes as a missionary to India.
• 1945 - Piano purchased as a memorial to those who served in World War II.
• 1950 - Pre-school established by Northbridge Baptist Church. Fees set at 5 shillings per week.
• 1955 - A mission is held on the church lawn.
• 1958 - Girls' Life Brigade and Boys' Brigade companies are formed.
• 1959 - North Sydney Baptist Church is involved with Billy Graham Crusade in Australia.
• 1965 - Alterations made to the entrances to the Church.
• 1966 - Sunday School started at Royal North Shore Hospital.
• 1971 - Church has 75th Anniversary Service in presence of Governor General, Sir Paul Hasluck.
• 1975 - Special Needs group for Lorna Hodgkinson Sunshine Home residents established by David & Betty Checkley.
• 1976 - An electronic organ is purchased and the pipe organ is sold.
• 1978 - The Baptist Centre is built and opened on the site of the first church.
• 1980 - North Sydney and Northbridge Baptist Churches are amalgamated - new name Northside Baptist Church is adopted.
• 1985 - Agreement with North Sydney Council for landscaping and new steps on the southern side of the church to make church grounds part of the newly created Ernest Place.
• 1989 - Commencement of Japanese Baptist Fellowship.
• 1996 - Alterations made to the interior of the church. Centenary year with the theme Catch the Vision.

This information has been extracted from the book "History of Northside Baptist Church" which is available on request.
Email: northside@people.net.au
or write to PO Box 599 Crows Nest NSW 1585 Australia

The mission history of Northside Baptist Church begins much earlier than the formation of the church in 1896...