Alberton, SA - Baptist (Former)

History and Architecture:

The first Baptist Congregation in the Port Adelaide District, was established in 1862.

The Foundation stone was laid on 31 August 1863 by Rev George Stonehouse, and opened on 10th January 1864. Previously the congregation met in Mr W W Leslie’s schoolroom, in Queenstown. Reverend Webb held the first service on July 20 1862.

The ceremony of laying the stone of a Baptist Chapel, near Alberton, was performed on Monday afternoon, August 31. Several ladies and gentlemen left Adelaide by the 3.30 train for the scene of the interesting proceeding, and were met at Alberton by the Rev. A. W. Webb, pastor of the church.

An article in the Adelaide Advertiser of Sept 5 1863 reads in pat, “The ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of a Baptist Chapel, near Alberton, was performed on Monday afternoon, August 31. Several ladies and gentlemen left Adelaide by the 3.30 train for the scene of the interesting proceeding, and were met at Alberton by the Rev. A. W. Webb, pastor of the church, the Rev. M. H. Hodge (Congregational), and the Rev. Mr. Smellie (Presbyterian). A large concourse had assembled around the spot, which is situated equidistant between Alberton and the Port, bounded on one side by the Port road, and on the other by the road leading to the cemetery".

The Church is now in private hands.