Kew, VIC - Chinese Baptist

History and Architecture:

Originally a Presbyterian Church. Early in 1874 steps were taken by a number of the Presbyterian Church followers living in Kew to establish a charge, and services were commenced in the Town Hall in June, 1874. Among those who were leaders in the movement may be mentioned Hon. R. S. Anderson, Messrs. Thomas Austin, David Beath, W. H. Bow­den, William Howieson, Francis Jamieson, J. Mar­shall, D. R. McGregor, J. Smith, and J. Watson. Steps were then taken to build a Church, and a site at the corner of Cotham Road and Highbury Grove having been secured, a wooden building, now used as a Sunday School, was erected, and opened for worship on 20th December, 1874.

A Foundation stone was laid by Sir James McBain on 16 April 1887 and a Mr Leslie again showed his generosity by presenting to the Church the stained glass window above the pulpit.

The congregation having outgrown the original wooden Church, the present Church was erected and opened for worship in December, 1887. The building is of dark bricks, with facings and spire of patent hydraulic stone, the total height of the spire being 125 feet. The Church, which has a seating accommodation of about 350, cost, with fittings, over £4,000.

Melbourne Chinese Baptist Church was established on the 6 April 1980, and has been a member church of the Baptist Union of Victoria.