Westgate’s beginnings
Westgate Baptist Community is a Baptist Church formed in 1982 from the coming together of three smaller Baptist Churches. This followed a special report on the Baptist Churches and needs in the Western Suburbs. The report was written by Ross Langmead, sponsored by the BUV. Ross and his wife Alison moved to the area to establish a small group and work with South Kingsville and Yarraville Baptist churches.
After several years of work and cooperation, a new Baptist Community was formed by members from each of Yarraville, Kingsville and South Kingsville Baptist Churches. Westgate Baptist Community was constituted in 1982. The community’s focus was to witness to the Good News of Jesus in the local area, which had a large number of disadvantaged and working-class people and limited access to community services.
Several couples and individuals from Eastern suburbs churches moved across to join the existing members of Yarraville, Kingsville and South Kingsville churches. They were attracted by a more radical approach to Christian community and justice, and to reaching out to the people in the local area.
During the 1980s, several innovative projects were initiated (housing, employment training, health clinic, community development). Some of these continue independently to this day.
The call to live as community was taken very seriously. The church was firmly rooted in a network of active small groups that grew and multiplied. There were even a few close-proximity ‘housing communities’ formed during this time.
Westgate Today
Since the mid-nineties, Westgate has entered into a new phase of its life as the demographics of the area have changed. The mission projects initiated in the eighties all became completely independent entities with their own ethos and business structure. In the early 2000s, our relationships with ethnic Karen and Chin refugees from Burma developed as a significant part of our mission.
We see the challenge ahead of re-strengthening our connections with the local area and continuing to be relevant and vital as followers of the Way of Jesus in both the local and broader contexts.
We worship together on Sunday mornings and seek to include the culturally and linguistically diverse nature of our congregation and neighbourhood. Our small group and gathered life continue to be expressions of our sense of the hospitality of God.
We have a lively bunch of children and youth in all age groups and we are committed to teaching and helping them explore Christian faith through our Sunday teaching times, youth groups and mentoring and involvement in ‘hands on’ mission.
For a more detailed description of Westgate’s Milestone between 1982 and 2012, visit here.
