Clayfield Baptist Church: A Legacy of Missionary Work
Nestled behind the Toombul Shopping Centre, the Clayfield Baptist Church stands as a testament to enduring faith and community spirit. Originating in the 1860s as Zion Hill, German settlers built a small wooden house for worship and Bible classes. This humble beginning gave rise to what was initially known as Hendra Baptist Church. Friedrich Theodor Franz, a key figure in the church’s history, donated land on Alexandra Rd, allowing the church to expand and thrive.
In 1891, a Gothic-style building replaced the original chapel, but by the 1980s, it was replaced again due to structural issues. Despite challenges, including wartime hardships, the church’s outreach and community efforts persisted, leading to a revival and steady growth.
Today, Clayfield Baptist Church continues to serve its community, honouring a rich heritage of missionary work and fellowship that began over 170 years ago. It now hosts three churches on its premises every Sunday:
Clayfield Baptist Church at 10 am
Church One at 1 pm
Contemporary Anabaptist Church at 5:30 pm
I wonder if and what the founders thought about the future they were leaving. Perhaps many prayers, hope and trust. Perhaps difficult times we are not aware of that did happen. It is good and I am glad to be enjoying the legacy from their work and spiritual foundations, and how that has developed over such a length of time in Brisbane from the starting days.