Footscray Baptist Church

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Our History

The Footscray Baptist Church (FBC) grew from outreach of the West Melbourne Baptist Church. It was established with its own constitution on 1st May 1883, with eighteen members. In the early years, church services were held in local halls. The first church building was opened on 2nd March 1890. Rev J A Soper, recently arrived from England, was appointed as the first pastor. He and others had short periods of ministry until 1895 and, during this period, the work prospered.

In 1895 Mr (later Rev) J H Goble was invited to be the pastor. The church grew rapidly and the present brick church building was opened on 6th August 1904. There was considerable growth in housing in the north and west of Footscray and a branch church was opened in Gordon Street in August 1909. Rev Goble was pastor to both these congregations (with assistants) for 37 years. This period was the church's golden years, lasting until Rev Goble's death in 1932. At this time, FBC was influential in state and national Baptist denominational life and also in the civic life of Footscray. Rev Goble ministered to the needy during WWI and the Depression. Citizens of Footscray honoured his memory with a full size statue, still a prominent feature on Geelong Road.

During the years 1932 to 1977, many faithful and well-qualified pastors sought to build up the congregation and develop the spiritual life of the church. However, the changing nature of the local community worked against their efforts.

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