The following is the History of Tumut Baptist.

Taken from meeting minutes and records kept over the years.

 

26th May - Meeting to inaugurate the Tumut Baptist Fellowship; Present  Miss J Dunn, Rev K.L. Meyer, Mr A Morris, Mr & Mrs M Rigby, Mr & Mrs C. M Shedden

 

The meeting was one of enthusiasm and it was felt that the Holy Spirit had indeed drawn those present to come together to form a Baptist Fellowship and ultimately a Baptist Church. Hearts were full of thanks to God for the privilege of ministering in this capacity in Tumut and all glory be to Him.

Rev K.L. Meyer - Honorary Pastor; Mr C M Shedden Secretary; Mr M Rigby Treasurer

Wagga Baptist Church made a gift to this Fellowship and offered help when required.

 

July – agreed to hire CWA hall from 9am to 1pm each Sunday for one pound.

 

 

 

 

 

14th June – Visited the village of Talbingo and visited each house with an invitation for children to come to Sunday School and left a St Johns Gospel.  Eleven children attended first Sunday School.

 

22nd August – Formation service of Tumut Baptist Church

 

November – Commenced an evening service at 7.30pm in the CWA Hall.

 

 

 

 

New Australians at Talbingo and Blowering.

 

March – intention to visit Talbingo once a month for tract distribution and the holding of a concert every three months.

 

March – Negotiations being made to procure a 30’ x 18’  building from the SMA for approximately 15 pounds to be put at the back of the block for meetings.

 

9th August – First Annual Meeting.  Deacons elected: Miss Wales, Messrs Rigby, Shedden and Weins.

 

September –expected cost to build $13000

 

 

 

 

23rd to 30 April -  Pan Australia Crusade by Rev B Reeves. Theme “Jesus Christ the answer for our problems”

 

13 September – Secretary to contact Lloyds Transportable Homes of Wagga and obtain an estimate of a 40’ x 25’ building.

 

 

 

 

February – Agreed to accept Mr C Farthing’s tender of $14750 to erect a building on the church land.

 

 

 

 

7 April – official opening of the building at 122 Capper Street

 

June – Mr Norm Harris visited for a weekend and the Lord used him as seven souls either committed their lives to Christ or rededicated themselves to Christ’s service.

 

August – Week crusade with Rev Gene Jeffries and George Galiah. 18 folk stepped forward to confess Christ.

 

October – Membership stands at 14 with one baptism during the year and more to happen later in the month.

 

1969 -  1974 ‘Teas’ were popular for men, youth and  the church as a whole and held on a regular basis. A speaker would be advertised for the event.

 

 

 

 

1 March – Isobel Wilkinson baptised and welcomed into membership. She taught Sunday School from about 1970 to 1972. Also 1974

 

David Inman commenced the Junior Young People group.

 

September – Secretary reported that eight folk were baptised in the past year. Present membership is 21. Ladies commenced a “meals on wheels” service to elderly folk of Tumut and monthly afternoon to entertain elderly folk. Ladies weekly Bible study commenced. First youth service taken by Mr Bob Mullins with 16 young people present who capably helped with the service.

 

September – Scripture classes continue to be held at Infants, Primary and High Schools in Tumut.

 

December – ladies sent Christmas parcels to missionaries in East Pakistan and Zambia.

 

 

 

 

March – Easter meetings with President of Baptist Union of NSW, Dr E H Watson. Meetings a blessing to all, especially to many campers who came in from Gocup camp.

 

May – Glenbrook Baptist Church conducted a Daily Vacation Bible School at our church. About 100 children attended and some joined the Sunday School.

 

May – Sunday School to end promptly at 10.30am

 

July – Decided to enclose the church verandah for extra Sunday School classrooms.

 

August – membership at 25 members

 

August 1971- February 1973 Neville Gallard took religious instruction classes at the High School

 

26 September – Yamaha ‘Electone’ Organ  purchased for $1300.

 

 

 

 

August – Positions for Sunday School superintendant and superintendants for kindergarten, primary, intermediate junior & young people, and adult.

 

August – September - Daily Vacation Bible School run by church members without assistance from outside.

 

6 December - Pastor D Swincer had been appointed by the Home Work Council to commence on 1 Feb 1973 at a salary of $64.50 per week.

 

31 December – Resolved to purchase the house on the corner of Wynyard and Lambie Streets for $10,000 as a manse.

 

 

 

 

Feb 1973 to Jan 1976

Pastor Rev David Swincer

 

 

13 February – Mr L Turner to look into the availability of Talbingo or Blowering buildings that would be suitable for a Sunday School building.

 

26 February – Resolved that the church purchase a 61’ x 25’ barrack building from the WC and IC at tender price of $300.

 

March - Sunday School had 65 enrolled from Kindergarten to Senior youth and 10-12 in the adult group. This was held before the morning service to be finished by 10.30am.

 

June – Manse purchased at 199 Wynyard Street

 

August - A budget of $170 per week was adopted which included missions giving of $1.25 each to Tumut Youth Camp, Bible Society, Scripture Union and Tape Evangelism.

 

August - Weekly offerings were covering expenses so the church decided that the $140 per month from the Home Work Council to assist with covering the pastor’s salary was no longer needed.

 

 

 

 

16 February - Sunday School attendance is at 38 with an anniversary to be held on 3 Nov 1974. Teachers were to arrange class outings so there was no Sunday School Picnic this year.

 

17 February - It was agreed to sell the Youth Camp Property to the Gospel Fishermen Mission.

 

27th February – The pastor reported 22 replies from direct mail evangelism. It was decided to send a letter before Easter to all homes in Tumut.

 

14th July – Evening services commenced at Talbingo on the 2nd Sunday of each month until December 1974

 

Evening services were held at 5pm in the winter months and 7pm in the summer months.

 

MAF field Day and Sunday service was a highlight of the year. These men came for the weekend. Despite the dismal weather quite a crowd from the district gathered at the aerodrome for the Saturday afternoon meeting and joy-flights. The outreach program to the people of Tumut was encouraging as a number of replies were received which were followed up by the pastor.

 

June - Meals on Wheels still operating but now have a combined roster with Catholic ladies. Monthly Senior Citizens get together has been discontinued.

 

15 September – Ken Fitzgerald baptised and welcomed into membership.

 

Nov  – The float entered in the Sesqui Centenary was quite a success. A film was shown at the theatre and tracts handed out.

 

 

 

 

26 Jan – The Tumut Christian Convention was held and the morning service was cancelled so that people could attend. This became the habit until the convention was moved to Wagga about 30 years later.

 

Feb – Apostles Stunt Team coming for Tumut show and are willing to help in the Sunday morning service and Sunday school.

 

May – withdrew from commitment to run the annual Daily Vacation Bible School. Running again in 1978 with assistance from Glenbrook Baptist Church. DVBS still run in 1985 but decided then not to make it an annual event.

 

June – Ken Fitzgerald appointed treasurer. He also taught the adult Sunday School class at this time.

 

June – One of the year’s highlights was the June weekend visit of Dr Barry Hicks, when we all shared in a feast of knowledge about mission work in Africa and were brought to appreciate the great difficulties, the sore needs, and the dependence on the Lord required in this work. We were greatly challenged to consider deeply, our part in this.

 

June – Another bright spot was the visit of the LIFE team, our instruction, and the subsequent commencement in March of our Visitation Evangelism Project, aimed primarily at every home in Tumut. More than a third of the town has, to date, been visited with the Gospel message.

 

 

 

 

Feb – mission with Rev Ron Baker with tent and open air meetings over 2 ? weeks. Members reported great spiritual uplift. One member found there was no outreach as successful in his years in the Church; and that it helped individuals to be part of evangelical witness. One week longer would have been good.

 

Mar 1976 to Jan 1980

Pastor Rev John Bridges

 

May – David Inman resigned from membership as not expected to return to Tumut after his time in Papua New Guinea.

 

Aug – sent money to assist Corryong Baptist Church.

 

Nov – seeking to bring an Aboriginal worker here for a short period in March to make contact in Tumut homes. AEF to be approached towards end of 1977. June 1978 proposing to bring a Christian Aboriginal family to Tumut, they will need a job.

Nov – ANU Christian Fellowship – 18 young people visiting on 4th December.

 

 

 

 

Aug – Congregation has increased by 12 persons, 6 by baptism, 3 by transfer and 3 by interview.

 

 

 

 

Apr - Bill Glass Crusade – cards for follow-up received from Rhonda & George Blunt, and Paul Smart.

 

 

 

 

July 1980 to June 1986

Pastor Barry Brown

 

 

 

 

Annual report speaks about the Annual Teaching Mission and the 2nd Annual Church Camp that was held at Blowering. Crusades were also a common event in this era.

 

August - report that there had been 6 baptisms over the previous 12 months. Pat Beattie and John Lawson were baptised in this period.

 

15 Sep – Bimbadeen college uses the building for the first Aboriginal Fellowship meeting in Tumut.

 

 

 

 

Considerations about extensions of the building at Capper Street and possible purchase of the property next door. More room require for worship area and Sunday School rooms.

 

 

 

 

8 Dec – Sunday School has been presenting a musical each year. This year it is “Swingin Samson” as reported by Don Sams, the Sunday School Superintendant

 

Junior Youth Group has been meeting fortnightly on Friday nights with an attendance of 35 to 50 children. Leaders are Bob & Marj Mullins, Vic Proos and Anne Back. After the Youth Service in which all children took a major part there were 13 children who indicated they wanted to know more about being a Christian or who actually made a commitment to Christ.

 

 

 

 

March - Teaching mission with Dr Vic Eldridge

 

August – 5% of offerings were directed to ISCF and Fiji Bible College in equal amounts as the mission giving for the year.

 

August – The Annual Report mentions a visit from Clive & Jenny Gibbes of APCM in Irian Jaya. John Lawson served with World Vision for 3 months in Ethiopia which motivated many to assist with the 40 hour famine.

 

August -  Young Peoples Annual Report states that they are still meeting fortnightly at the church. Leaders with David Ridley were Tom Arentz. David Blunt, Phillip Wilkinson and Helen Ridley. There were good attendances at the Christmas banquet, Tarthra trip and the 3 concerts. 25-30 kids consistently involve.

 

Nov – Ian & Marie Owers membership transferred from Griffith. Mrs Joan Hogan recommended for membership. Bruce & Margaret Taylor joined the fellowship around this time.

 

 

 

 

August 1986 – Junior Youth Group leaders were Bob Mullins, Vic Proos, Julie Beattie and Marj Mullins. Attendance between 30-48. Mainly unchurched kids and are really keen to come along. The love the singing time.

 

Oct 1986 to Dec 1992

Pastor Rev Ian Duncan

 

 

 

 

Feb – Sale of Wynyard St manse for $60,000

 

17 Mar – Manse purchased at 4 Carramar Cres for $69500.

Sep – Agreed to support the Andersons at Rivercrest Camp Centre at $10 per week which is the same figure we have been giving Neville & Anne Gallard.

 

Sep 1987/1988 – The Baptist Hockey team took to the field again this year but did not make the finals. Fellowship among the players is good for all and the witness to the town is seen as very favourable.

 

Don Sams leading Young People’s group with numbers from 15-25. Moved to meeting weekly and having more variety of activities.

 

 

 

 

Masterlife and Masterbuilder groups have been run around this period. Scripture Union visited Tumut over the Easter week with over 50 to help spell out the Gospel. Many were reached by this activity. One happy outcome has been the Sunday School in the Park at Banksia Crescent where John and Jeanette and Paul and others have planted THE SEED in many willing young hearts.

 

 

 

 

Tumut High School invited all the churches to conduct weekly Scripture lessons. We have had 8 to 12 teenagers regularly for a study period with some social activities on the weekend.

 

Junior Youth Group had numbers increase to over 50 with the age range from 4 to 14years old. The group was split in two with the pre-school children up to 3rd grade in one group. By the end of second term the younger group was discontinued due to overcrowding, discipline problems and the loss of one leader.

 

 

 

 

June - Stephen & Lisette Owers & family and David & May Bennett were among those who joined us in fellowship.

 

June - Scripture Union Family Mission held in Tumut over Easter again this year.

 

 

 

 

Feb – Keith & Enid Owers requesting transfer into Tumut membership

 

The Junior Youth Group numbers fluctuate between 8 and 18 but is enjoyable and beneficial. Concern is that no non-church kids reaching the upper age limit ever make the transition into another Christian activity. Plan to hold a family participation night.

 

We have an interest in Neville & Anne Gallard serving with AIM Kenya and receive monthly newsletters from them. They come home for furlough in November. The church supported them financially until they left Kenya around the year 2000.

 

Fellowship outings were a bushwalk, a picnic on Hume & Hovell track and a car rally.

 

31 August – Peter & Patsy Eccleston married in the building at 122 Capper St.

 

 

 

 

Started a group called ETs (Early Teens) to transition youth from the junior youth group to the senior youth group. The Senior Youth Group started in July 1991 and has assisted in running the ETs group. The Senor Youth Group is made of 15 to 20 youth from age 16 to 25. They meet on Sunday evenings for tea and fellowship and look for opportunities for witness and outreach.

 

 

 

 

Regular evening services run by the youth with Theo Broekman involved. Care and share foodbox effort. New piano. Junior Youth Group becomes 7ups under the changing leadership of Jenni Nuss, Mark Isbister, John Anderson, Ian Owers, Amanda Hartwig and Rob Owers. Keith Owers was the Pastoral Coordinator. Sunday School had 29 children on the rolls.

 

Early 1990s – Ladies have regular morning Bible Studies and pay someone to take care of over ten children.

 

 

 

 

Our young people have become a major driving force in the Church, and we hope from this recent leadership camp new ideas and skills will see it become a greater movement in 1995. 7ups have regular attendance of 25-30 with a contact list of over 50. High School Sunday School class suspended as youth were getting spiritual input from the youth group meetings.

 

 

 

 

Jan 1995 to Dec 2003

Pastor Rev Peter Quinn

 

Bill Newman Crusade at Batlow in May, Danny Hubbell from Texas visit in June, church Prayer and Fasting Day July, Establishment of church Vision and Mission statements in October, Church Family Camp at Rivercrest in November. Bible Study Groups, Sunday School, Scripture, 7ups and TFC youth groups, sports ministry (cricket team), nurture groups to follow up crusade commitments.

 

 

 

 

7ups had a teaching theme for each term. We had a Saturday night camp over at Camp Hudson and acted out the Exodus from Egypt with Mark Owers acting as Moses and leading the group from the valley (representing Egypt) to the hill top (Mt Sinai). TFC youth group grew to nearly 30 young people but due to behaviour issues moved the meeting to Sunday morning before church to work on a core group with Paul Nuss as leader.

 

 

 

 

Sunday School tried running the younger classes during the sermon. Ladies combined with ‘Take a Break’ group for Christmas Party. Next year the ladies will combine with the KYB (Know Your Bible) group. Ladies meeting fortnightly for craft at Cathy Maxwell’s home. High School Youth Group meeting Wednesday night under the leadership of Paul Nuss with support from Jay, Tim, John Chiang, Lisette Owers and Tony Burkill.

 

 

 

 

1998 -1999 – Gave financial support to Paul Nuss as he departed to study at Bible College.

 

4 Sunday School classes meeting before church and finishing by 10am with Peter & Rosemary Anderson, Annette Burkill, Jenni Nuss and Peter Craft as leaders. 7ups continues with bible teaching and activities under Mark & Joanne Owers, Tom Arentz and Margaret Quinn. Youth Group continues on Wednesday evenings with John Chiang, Lisette Owers & Rob Owers supporting an orphan through Compassion. Fun activities were a camp at Valley Homestead and a Theatre Restaurant. Young Adults group started under the leadership of Colin Grant, meeting weekly for tea and Bible Study.

 

 

 

 

Mobile Mission Maintenance made the verandah part of the meeting area so our seating capacity rose from 100 to 150. Purchase a caravan as an extra Sunday School room. Men continue with annual trip to Katoomba Men’s Convention. Ladies  have a casserole ministry and Prayer Link Group with meetings on an adhoc basis for fellowship. 16 ladies went to Beth Mainwaring’s for a Christmas Function enjoyed by all.

 

Visits from 9 different overseas Christian workers including Steven & Sandra Parsons and David & Carole. 7ups built up to an attendance of 40 on some nights having games and themes nights at the church and at other locations. High School Youth Group leaders had Greg Gibbes and Rod & Teresa Baker added to the team. Numbers between 25 and 30 with the group split into small groups for Bible Study.

 

 

 

 

Commence financial support to workers in Indonesia. Youth Group continues with same format and a few commitments made through the year. Highlights were canoeing at Blowering Dam, assisting with show outreach, combined nights with Anglican Youth Group, Bonfire night at Weilingas, conducted two evening services, bushwalk at Jounama Creek, in house bushdance, horse riding camp at Wee Jasper.

 

Church fellowship activities included ‘The Big Tumut Raft Race’, Church Family Camp, Women’s Prayer Breakfast, Tumut show, Mother’s Day Meal, Sharing meals in people’s homes, Bonfire Night at Scott & Teresse’s, Men’s Father’s Day dinner, Games night, Prayer night, Ladies “Quiet Day with the Shepherd”, end-of-year BBQ and Christmas dinner.

 

 

 

 

Continuation of ministries with youth, women, men’s, social activities, mission visits. Church camp at Carinya, Jindabyne.

 

2001 – 2004 supported Colin and Helen Grant during Colin’s studies at the Reformed Bible College of Victoria. Damian & Janita Cox also did attended Bible College for a short time.

 

 

 

 

“Experiencing God” material, “Lifeworks” introduction to Christianity, planning for a Christian School in Tumut which came close to happening. Sunday night fellowship in homes rather than an evening service. Sunday School changed from being held before to church to being run during the sermon. In August a Trivia night was held at the Butter Factory which raised $2000 to purchase a two way radio for Lipiyus in Indonesia.

 

 

 

 

Lifeworks, two church camps, youth group providing music for the service. Commencement of a Bible study for young mums run by more mature ladies. The older ladies lead the studies, organise child care for the kids and provide morning tea, while the young ladies have their bible study.

 

 

 

 

Mar 2004 to Feb 2009

Pastor Rev Matthew Holden

 

Feb – Mr W Staschyn coming to Tumut for 2 weeks  to minister to the Church Camp at Borambola in November was best attended for some years and helped church become more unified as a body. “Passion of the Christ” screened at the Montreal Theatre. First time commitments made. 78 boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Clive Gibbes and Ian Owers serve as the first elected elders. Men’s group at Tony Burkill’s shed. Tuesday morning prayer. Visiting parents of 7ups kids. Two groups do ‘Growing Kid’s God’s Way’. Music teams created. Consultancy recommends an outreach coordinator.

 

 

 

 

‘2 Ways to Live’ evangelism training, Lifeworks, 40 Days of Purpose, church camp at Borambola. Adventure Zone with Ron & Pam Schravemade so successful we plan to run it annually. Data projector for displaying songs. Youth Group transitions in leadership and style. New 7ups leaders are Brendan & Ali Owers, Tim Owers and Aimee McLeod. Young Mum’s study grows with the birth of 6 new boys. Busy Bees Playgroup commences.

 

 

 

 

20 Apr – Sale of Carramar Cres manse for $230,000

 

Baptisms of 6 young people on Easter Sunday. Challenge finding space for Sunday School classes. Monthly evening services run with youth participation. Planning for new building. Ministries continue.

 

 

 

 

Sunday services commence at Tumut High School

 

Commence supporting Ron & Pam Schravemade financially. 40 Days of Purpose in the community. Commence copying the sermon onto CD for the Sunday School teachers. The marriage course run 3 times. High School chaplaincy. Busy Bees playgroup adopts the ‘mainly music’ program and has an outreach to the Nursing Home. Over 300 shoeboxes to Operation Christmas Child.

 

Women’s breakfast, prayer chain and providing meals. Men’s night out at Phil Crockers’ with snooker, table tennis and swimming. Eight different Bible Study groups.

 

 

 

 

Evening services run by Neville Parish. Church Camp at Wymah Valley Retreat. Investigate employing an associate pastor to assist with youth ministry.

 

Four Sunday School classes with young people assisting the teachers. 7ups continues with Mr Tim & Mrs Aimee with activities including games, singing, dancing, ice-skating, swimming at the Oasis, bonfires and looking for chalk marks around town. Mainly music has four new families and 17 children on the list. Had a family concert/Dad’s Day and visit the nursing homes for Christmas.

 

13 June – Purchase of new Bundara Cres site for $220,000 +GST

 

 

 

 

Three Sunday School classes. 7ups run at the High School prior to moving into the new building. Mainly music meets at the guide hall prior to moving into the new building. Mainly music had a display at the children’s expo in the park. 70 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Ladies involved with CWCI Coffee Shop evening and Quiet Day Retreat, Colour Conference, Prayer Partners, Scrapbooking and prayer chain. 200 people gather at the new building for the Songs of Praise service with participation from churches and singing groups in the town.

 

23 Jan – Sale of church at 122 Capper St for $222,500 inc GST

 

11 Oct – First Service at 24 Bundara Cres

 

 

 

 

Mainly Music continues after Mandy Priest stepped down. The program fulfils a need for the small number of families that attend. Ladies attend Colour Conference and a Timeout Retreat at Ridgecrest near Wellington. 20 Pamper packs made up and given to the Women’s refuge for distribution on Mother’s Day. Men continue annual trip to Katoomba Convention and some to Canberra Convention in October. Men also attend bimonthly breakfasts at Gundagai Baptist Church. Young mums study continues in the new building making use of the crèche for the children’s entertainment. Don & Shirl Nicols assist with building of bookshelves, crèche bench and pinboards.

 

 

 

 

Mainly music in final year with 6 families attending. Young mums Bible Study adopts the KYB program which is designed to keep a good pace of Bible teaching going through 4 books each year and find applications in our lives today. 7ups continues to run in the auditorium.

 

 

 

 

Jan 2012 to Jan 2015

Pastor Rev Ross Barnes

 

YADS (Young Adults) worship team. Fortify Youth Group. Completion of Hall with carpet, 7ups cupboard and a sound desk in the auditorium. 7ups enjoys games in the hall and younger Sunday School class enjoys the new room. Library revamped. 7ups had 60 children through the program and doing follow up with those who made commitments at Adventure Zone.

 

 

 

 

‘Towards Belief’ video series. Website up and running. Youth to Albury for Youth Alive and to Wagga for Steve Grace. Adventure Zone attendances biggest ever around 100.

 

 

 

 

Tumut Combined Youth (TCY) is commenced buy Don and Sue Fisher, with Sarah Tong, Eddie Olsen, Marien and Jen as leaders. It is held at Tumut Valley Christian Fellowship Church hall, but is a ministry of Tumut Baptist Church. It is run fortnightly during school terms with a once a term event combining other local Riverina Youths from Tumbarumba, Cootamundra and Gundagai.

 

Tumut Baptist celebrates its 50 Year Anniversary.

Guest speaker Karl Faase, Senior Pastor from the Gymea Baptist Church.

31 May – Honouring the Past

1 June – Moving into the Next 50

 

Nov – Sarah Tong elected as Music Co-ordinator at the 2014 AGM.

 

 

 

 

Series on Colossians with Rod Baker, Ken Fitzgerald, Don Fisher and with guest speakers including Andrew Skewes, Stuart Briscoe, David Kennedy, and Steve Maynard.

 

Series on Genesis with Rod Baker and Ken Fitzgerald.

 

August- The Tumut Baptist website was updated to a new format and style and released by Sarah Tong.

 

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