Gawler, SA - Baptist

History and Architecture:

The first Baptist services in Gawler were held in the old Odd fellows hall in 1866 with a church being formed in the same year. The first church was erected in 1870 as both a church and school. Additions were added in 1873, classrooms in 1879 and a lecture hall in 1903.

The church has a distinctive appearance and is roughly symmetrical about a tripartite window situated between the two porches of the original building facing east across Murray Street. It is constructed of random limestone with brick quoins, copings, cornice work and surrounds to openings and was originally just the central section, without the northern and southern wings. The church is characterised by the use of bevelled and ogee profiled bricks to the cornice and diapered brickwork to the parapet, which is broken by slightly modulated piers lending a horizontal proportion to the principal facade.

The south wing is similarly treated, while the north wing is simply gabled and of similar construction. Windows and door openings are characterised by pointed openings of gauged brickwork. The interior has no significant detailing. Services began on the site in 1866 and the original part of the church was built four years later.