Plenty, VIC - Diamond Valley Baptist
Year Built: 1984
Denomination: Baptist
Address: Diamond Creek Road, Plenty, Victoria, 3090
Architect: Unknown
Traditional Owners: Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people
Last Updated: 20/12/2022
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History and Architecture:
Between 1954 and 1956 several homes were used for services including Gordon and Margaret Brown in Grimshaw Street. The first church was in Hobson Street between 1956 and 1960 which is now a medical centre.
A tender was accepted from J.R. and G. Hooper and completed was expected by the end of 1956. The hall was very basic, with a folding door in the centre, an outside toilet and a brick garage. It was officially opened on December 8th and Margaret Brown unlocked the door. A 16-stop organ was obtained from Moorabbin and chairs from the Austin Hospital.
Around 1980 the Old Melbourne Motor Inn was chosen as a new site for the Church. Keith Butler was the Architect due to his work with Baptist Churches and his plans were submitted at the end of 1981.
In addition to direct giving to fund the new church, there was the anticipated sale of the existing church property, and the Finance Committee made approaches to financial institutions for a loan of $200,000. As it happened, a loan of $20,000 was sufficient to overcome a cash flow problem. The cost of stage one, when the building could be used for worship was approximately $171,500.
The Church was opened on 29th July 1984.
Clergy:
These names are now in the Database and can be searched individually.
| Years | Name | Annotation | D.o.B | D.o.D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 - 1957 | Rev William Collard | |||
| 1957 - | Rev Len C. Lewis | |||
| 1958 - 1960 | Rev Frank Potter | 1962 | ||
| 1960 - 1961 | Rev George E. Williams | |||
| 1961 - 1966 | Rev James V. Paice | |||
| 1967 - 1973 | Rev B. R. Reeves | |||
| 1973 - 1974 | Rev John M. Mills | |||
| 1974 - | Rev John Rowe | |||
| 1975 - 1978 | Rev David J. Treloar | 2017 | ||
| 1978 - 1979 | Rev Peter Neil | |||
| 1978 - 1979 | Rev Frank Bennell | 1989 | ||
| 1979 - | Rev Prof Basil S. Brown | |||
| 1980 - 1989 | Rev Alan E. Nunn | |||
| 1980 - 1982 | Rev William Stelling | 1996 | ||
| 1983 - 1986 | Rev Paul D. Craig | |||
| 1984 - 1986 | Rev William Stelling | 1996 | ||
| 1985 - 1988 | Rev D. Martin Boutros | |||
| 1986 - 1988 | Rev Neville Kellam | |||
| 2010 - | Rev Paul D. Craig | |||
| 2021 - | Rev Martin Boutros |
Organ:
No information currently available. Submissions welcomed.
Source:
1. Light up the Valley. The story of the Greensborough and Diamond Valley Baptist Church. Granville Wilson SLTF 286.19451 W69L
2. Ryerson Index.