History
Brighton Baptist Church has a long history, being founded in 1851. We are still encouraged and remember the words of F.W. Boreham as part of the 1951 Centenary celebrations: "we grasp the torch handed to us by noble predecessors, and who, in due time, pass it on to eager and faithful successors. Each a link in a golden chain."
Major Events |
|
| Mar 12, 1851 | First minutes of Brighton Baptist Church recorded. |
| 1853 | First Chapel opened for worship and Sunday School formed. |
| Feb 28, 1858 | Completion of new church building. Old building used as a Sunday school. |
| Aug 15, 1864 | Church closes due to low finances and decreased attendance. |
| Jun 30, 1867 | Church is reopened. |
| 1920 | Church building condemned as unsafe due to hurricane. |
| May 7, 1921 | New church building opened for worship and Manse completed. |
| 1926 | New Church furniture installed (Pulpit, Choir stalls) |
| 1933 | New Sunday School building opened for worship. |
| 1961 | Church acquires 'Burgess House', a two-storey building on the corner of Cochrane and Bay Streets. Converted into a multi-purpose building used for all age Sunday School, accommodation and meetings. |
| 1971 | The Brighton Baptist Pre-school Centre (Kindergarten) was officially opened. |
| Mar 6, 1977 | Commissioning concert for the newly rebuilt pipe organ |
| 1983 - 1995 | The BJ's club became a main focus in the church orgainising events for intellectually and physically disabled people in the bayside area. |
| 1995 | Sale of the Manse at 154 Bay Street and of the two tennis courts on Outer Crescent. Redevelopment of old Sunday School to create new four bedroom manse and two bedroom unit. |
| Feb 1997 | Brighton Baptist Student Hostel begins. |
| Oct 3, 1999 | Partnership between Brighton and Hampton Baptist churches begins. |
| Sep 8-9, 2001 | 150th Anniversary celebrations. |
| Aug 17, 2003 | End of partnership between Brighton and Hampton Baptist. |
| Feb 29, 2004 | Sunday School - 150th Anniversary celebrations. |
| Mar 6, 2005 | Commencement of the 'All Stars' children's church |
| June, 2008 | Brighton Baptist becomes a signed member of the Brighton Covenant Churches |
Past Ministers |
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| 1851-1864 | Pastor J. Collins |
| 1867-1873 | Pastor A.W. Whitney |
| 1874-1876 | Rev. W. Garner |
| 1876-1878 | Rev. H. Coombes |
| 1879-1881 | Rev. H.H. Garrett |
| 1882-1885 | Rev. G.P. Lush |
| 1886-1894 | Rev. S. Howard |
| 1896-1899 | Rev. J.E. Harrison |
| 1899-1905 | Rev. F.J. Wilkin |
| 1908-1916 | Rev. R. Williamson |
| 1916-1920 | Rev. R. Stoward |
| 1921-1928 | Rev. E.H. Holloway |
| 1929-1931 | Rev. H.G. Scholefield |
| 1931-1944 | Rev. H.S. Smith |
| 1945-1949 | Rev. T.F. Keyte |
| 1950-1954 | Rev. A.G. Coventry |
| 1954-1957 | Rev. A. Brookes |
| 1957-1959 | Rev. J. Robertson (Int) |
| 1959-1968 | Rev. R.E. McMillan (Bob) |
| 1968-1974 | Rev. D.S. Breguet (Stan) |
| 1974-1978 | Rev. George McAdam |
| 1979-1986 | Pastor Barry McDonald |
| 1986 | Mr. Fred Leeming (Int) |
| 1987-1997 | Rev. Kevin Purvis |
| 1998-1999 | Rev. Marian Welford (Int) |
| 1999-2001 | Rev. Tony Richardson A Pst. Christal Richardson |
| 2001-2003 | Rev. Tony Richardson Ass. Pastor Chris Turner A Pst. Christal Richardson |
| 2003 | Rev. Chris Turner |
| 2004 | Rev. Chris Barnden (Int) |
| 2004 | Rev. Ian Paxton (Int) |
| 2004-2007 | Rev. Clarrie Edwards |
| 2008- | Pastor Graeme Scorringe |
More details of the Church's history can be found in the 'Links with the Past' booklets, available for a small donation. Contact the Church office on 9596 4486 or for more information.
