As churches go, and certainly in looking around at others we may know or have contact with, Tea Gardens Baptist Church is comparatively young, having grown out of initial discussions in 1993.
Nevertheless, we are keen to ensure that those that come after don’t lose sight of our beginnings. This page describes the highlights of our journey thus far, and links to other information that covers aspects of that journey in more detail.
Highlights
In March 1993 four families decided to come together each Sunday in Tea Gardens Primary School Hall. We were received into full membership of the Baptist Union in 1996 with twelve foundational members, and a congregation of around twenty.
The Lord enabled us to purchase three blocks of land at Myall Quays in late 1999 and we prepared to build but God had even bigger plans for us. In the meantime our meeting place changed to the “Old Bowling Club”. In 2002, the owners offered us the whole property. After much discussion and prayer, God led us to purchase the property. The old Bowling Club building was dedicated in December 2002.
After committing to the purchase we had an offer to buy half the land for the price of the whole and sold our other blocks of land to have the finance to build.
On Christmas Day 2005 we gathered for our first service in the new building hall, rejoicing at what God had done. On 29th April, 2006 the building was officially opened and dedicated to the work of the Lord.
We pray that we may be the light of Christ in the Myall Coast area where many people can find peace with God and purpose in life.
Notable milestones
1993:
The idea, the vision; meeting in the Tea Gardens Primary School Hall
1994:
Tea Gardens Baptist Fellowship formally recognised by the Baptist Union of NSW on 13 February.
1996:
Tea Gardens Baptist Fellowship became Tea Gardens Baptist Church and joined the Baptist Union of NSW (now known as Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT) on 3 March 1996.
1999:
Purchase of land at Myall Quays, moved to meeting in the “Old Bowling Club” (on the block of land we currently occupy)
2002:
Purchase of the former Bowling Club building and land, with the building dedicated for worship on 1 December 2002. On that occasion, then Secretary Carolyn Bye reminded those present of what had led them thus far. There was also an article submitted to the Myall Coast Nota for publication to note the event .
2005:
Christmas Day service in the new hall, the first in our new (current) building.
2006:
Our new building was fully opened and dedicated in April.
