Baptist Church
Marracoonda Church
Karen Baptist Church
Marribank Baptist Mission
Katanning Group Home
In 1890 Mr E. R. Beeck and his family arrived from South Australia and sought to establish a local fellowship. The first minister of the church was Rev. William Kennedy, a graduate of Melbourne Bible College.
Former Baptist Church
An agricultural Hall was first used for fellowship then Mr C. A. Harris, Katanning’s first master baker, donated land facing Carew Street. The Baptistry was built first then the church was built around it. Stone, sand and water was carted with Mr Kennedy doing the manual labour with skill and energy.
The former Katanning Baptist Church opened in 1900. In 1947 paving blocks and the front fencing were donated by Mr and Mrs F.A. Rodgers in memory of sons lost in action 1943.
During February to September, 1946, the Hall was rented by the Education Department due to the influx of pupils to the Primary School at the introduction of school bus services. In 1960 the All Ages Bible School commenced Christian Endeavour meetings which were held Friday nights for different ages. 1961 saw the commencement of the “Homemakers” programme and a coffee shop was set up in the Church Hall.
In 1985 land was purchased from P. L. Bolto Machinery with a view to extensions being made however, in 1986, the Kobeelya property became available and was bought by the Baptist Church. The Carew Street property was then sold to the Tang family who converted it into a Chinese Restaurant.
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Marracoonda Baptist Church
The name Marracoonda is derived from the Aboriginal words “Marr” (hand) and “Coonda” (Coonac) pertaining to hands/claws. The area name comes from the Marracoonda Pools in the nearby Carrolup River.
Marracoonda Baptist Church
Photo: inHerit
In 1907 the Baptist circuit of Katanning was divided into two as in the previous four years, five new stations had opened up. One circuit would be based at Woodanilling and the other at Katanning. Woodanilling circuit took in Cartmeticup, Cartmeticup East and Wardering plus the two places handed over by Wagin – Boyerine and Dumbleyung Lake. The Katanning circuit encompassed Marracoonda, Carrolup (where a new building would soon supersede the old one), Coompatine, Ewlyamartup and Wernup.The stone building has a steep pitched corrugated iron gable roof. A front porch has been added (some time after the original construction) possibly in 1920 as the bricks have been fined in Coates’ brickworks.
The foundation stone was laid by Mrs Metters on 3 June 1903. She was the wife of the Rev Alfred Metters who was based at Katanning at the time. At the rear of the building (western end) a supper room was constructed with tongue and groove wooden ceiling. The interior of the church features wide jarrah tongue and groove flooring. There is a raised alter. Ceilings are masonite and electricity has been added. (inHerit website)
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Karen Baptist Church
The Karen community worship in Carey Hall at the Katanning Baptist Complex in Brownie Street Katanning. The Karen-speaking Baptist church was founded by a group of Karen refugees.
Members of the Katanning Karen Baptist Church.
From left: Soe Pwell Moo Kwa, Pastor Jairus Maung, Pau Oo Ni, and Pastor Breena Benny
The first Karen refugees arrived in Katanning about ten years ago, seeking work at the local abattoir, which was willing to employ non-English background speakers with no experience. They moved from Perth, after being granted asylum in Australia following many years in refugee camps along the Thai border. Continue reading
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Marribank Baptists Mission 1952-1988
Marribank, near Katanning, was run by the Baptist Union as an Aboriginal mission from November 1952, when it continued the Marribank Farm Training School. Marribank accepted children who were wards of the state and private admissions. By the 1970s, Marribank was reported as operating with a community development model and by the 1980s was offering family support programs in cottages on the old mission site and in Katanning. Marribank had closed by January 1989. Continue reading
(WARNING: Aboriginal people may find content distressing)
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Katanning Group Home
Katanning Group Home (also known ‘Oxley Road’ or ‘Marribank Group Home’) was established in 1978, by the Baptist Union, to accommodate Aboriginal children from Marribank, possibly while they went to school in Katanning. By 1984, it was providing short-term and emergency care for up to six children. It had closed by 1989.
Past News Items
BAPTIST.
Western Mail
28 July, 1900
We give a photograph of the Katanning Baptist Church opened this month by the Rev. A. S. Wilson, the vice-president of the Baptist union, assisted by the Rev. J. Beck of Fremantle, the secretary of the union.
The Baptist denomination, avoiding fields fully manned by other religious bodies, some four or five years ago started a small work at Katanning, and have pursued it with commendable enterprise and devotion, and in this short time have been enabled to open and sustain some 18 or 19 stations besides Katanning on the same line of railway. The church just opened in the first in the agricultural districts.
It is worth over £500, and it is pleasing to state that the building was opened practically free of debt. The Rev. William Kennedy is the pastor of the church and superintendent of the Home Mission districts.
WA BAPTIST UNION 1901
BAPTIST UNION. ANNUAL SESSIONS.
The West Australian
14 November, 1900 (p2)
Monday afternoon’s session of the Baptist Union commenced with reading of letters from churches. The Katanning letter was read by Mr. Morris Beeck, and spoke highly of the work being done in that district. Two churches had been erected in the district during the year, that at Katanning costing nearly £600. Read more
MARRACOONDA.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
FOUNDATION STONE LAYING.
Great Southern Herald
30 May, 1903
The interesting function of foundation stone laying in connection with the Marracoonda Baptist Church will take place on Wednesday next at 4 p.m. Mrs A. Metters wife of the late pastor, has been invited to perform the ceremony and, given a fine day, it is expected there will be a large gathering.
THE BAPTISTS AND HOME MISSIONS.
Great Southern Herald
30 May, 1903
The remarkable agricultural expansion along the Great Southern Railway has fully justified the faith of the Baptists in these parts as a field for religious enterprise. The facts, as quoted in another column from an Adelaide interview with the Rev A. S. Wilson, evidence that this aggressive denomination has done its part in meeting the spiritual needs of the community.
When the Methodists ceased their original operations along the line some seven years ago the Anglicans and Roman Catholics were the only religious bodies who conducted services at the various centres, and outlying districts between Beverley and Albany.
An influx of eastern settlers then aroused the attention of the Baptists in Perth. From providing a preacher for a handful of people in Katanning, most of whom were resident at Marracoonda, the dimensions of their Mission have considerably increased. Each centre is now occupied and preachers, ministerial and lay, carry their message to all the region round about.
We are assured that the Baptists have been less eager to promulgate the distinctive tenets than to provide new settlers with the opportunity of worshiping the Lord and hearing His gospel. The broad character of their work has commended itself to the people who, whatever their creed, have appreciated the self-sacrificing zeal of the workers in the Mission.
Reliable reports have reached us of the almost heroic pecuniary and physical sacrifices of the pioneers in this movement. Without doubt the number of fine buildings, erected almost entirely free from debt is resultant from their energy and devotion.
We are pleased to give honour to whom honour is due, and whatever may be the future history of the Mission the pioneer record is praiseworthy indeed. It is not within the scope of this article to deal with the good work accomplished by other denominations.
It certainly cannot be said that the Baptists have not availed themselves of their opportunity. With perhaps the most slender financial resources of any religious organisation in the West, they have for several years past borne the burden and heat of the day, and deserve a word of honest encouragement.
In these days of keen commercial competition, it is not to be wondered at if the competitive spirit enters into religious organisations. It were better, however, if this gave way to the worthier spirit of emulation. One of the most hopeful features in the religious world today is the movement towards federation. Probably uniformity of creed and polity will never come this side of the Millennium, but the growing spirit of unity has manifested itself in the Commonwealth in a variety of ways.
This should prevent undue over-lap ping and the wasting of money and energy in unholy rivalry in small communities. Numerically the Baptists lag behind in this State though they are steadily growing, but in some countries, they are a mighty host. In the United States, for instance, they number nearly five million, and are perhaps the wealthiest of the multitude of denominations which thrive in the land of the Stars and Stripes.
In England they are also numerous and influential, their leaders and preachers being held in high honor. The names of John Bunyan (the immortal dreamer), William Carey (the founder of Modern Missions), Robert Hall, the eloquent theologian, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the prince of preachers, Dr Alexander McLaren, the preacher to preachers, and Dr John Clifford, the fiery orator whose name is one of the most potent in the ranks of English Non-conformity at the present time, stand with those of all denominations who in every age advocate the claims of Him whose common servants they are.
The cosmopolitan character of the settlement along this line of railway, representing as it does almost every shade of belief and non-belief, necessitates that Home Mission work should be of a robust and evangelical type. The Baptists, with others, have recognised this, and to this is probably due the success which has attended their efforts.
Baptist Church Anniversary.
Great Southern Herald
8 October, 1913 (p2)
The seventeenth anniversary of the Baptist Church was held last Sunday, when three services were conducted by the president of the Baptist Union, Mr. H. D. McCallum. Each service was fairly well attended. Mr. McCallum’s morning address was specially good and helpful, and the children’s address in the afternoon was also very bright and interesting.
The church choir, under the leadership of Mr. Walter Rogers (Miss Richardson presiding at the organ), rendered a number of suitable anthems during the day. On Monday night a public meeting was held, followed by a coffee social; the chairman being Mr. W. J. Rogers, J.P. A number of musical items were again ably rendered by the choir, also solos by Miss Seabourne, Mrs. Fred Rogers, and Mr. Fletcher. The church secretary, Mr. W. L. Rhodes, gave a good report for the year just closed, showing a splendid progress in membership and the spiritual life of the church. The pastor, Rev. Wm. Gilmour, spoke feelingly as to his work and interest in this district. Mr. McCallum gave a very able address on Baptist principles.
A hearty vote of thanks to all who had helped to make the anniversary a success was proposed by Mr. H. O. Beeck, seconded by Mr. Seaborne, and supported by Mr. Alex. Prosser, of Marracoonda. After singing the Doxology, supper was partaken of by all present.
Katanning Baptist Church
HARVEST FESTIVAL.
Great Southern Herald
6 March 1920
On Sunday and Monday last the Katanning Baptist Church celebrated its annual harvest festival by three services, the officiating minister being the Rev. J. R. Edmonds. A large number of members and friends gathered and helped to make the festival a huge success. The choir, under the leadership of Mr. J. F. Wanke, rendered musical items (with Miss Grace Rogers presiding at the organ), and thus assisted in the festivities.
On Monday evening a public meeting was held, presided over by Mr. H. O. Beeck. There was a varied programme, including the following items: Recitations by Miss Nagel and Mr. Robins, solos by Miss Ethel Seaborne and Mr. Dod Ashbolt with Miss Grace Rogers playing the accompaniments.
The meeting also took the form of a public welcome to the newly appointed minister, Rev. J. R. Edmonds. The chairman in making his remarks, said that he was pleased to be present at such a pleasant and well attended gathering, and hoped that the other churches of the town would help to make the gospel more widely known.
He therefore wished Mr. Edmonds every success in his new sphere. Messrs. Warren, Hipwell, Dean, Prosser, Richardson, Filmer, Rogers, and Captain Austin (Salvation Army), also spoke in support.
The chairman then moved a hearty vote of thanks to all those who assisted, either in their labour, or with donations of fruit, etc. The secretary stated the deficit of £100 had been successfully wiped off during the festival by donations.
After the public meeting an excellent supper was served by a ladies committee, also a sale of fruit which brought the festivities to a finish.
WEDDING
SEVERIN – MATTHEWS.
Southern Districts Advocate
6 April, 1936
A very pretty wedding was solemnised at the Baptist Church, Katanning, on Tuesday, 31st March, 1936, when Lilian, third daughter of Mr and Mrs R. Matthews, of Warren Road, East Katanning, and Reg, eldest son of Mr and Mrs C. Severin, of Woodanilling, were united in holy matrimony.
The bride, who entered the church on the arm of her father, looked charming in a trailing frock of ivory satin, trimmed with lace, with beautiful veil and head dress of orange blossom, and carried a bouquet of white dahlias. Miss Matthews, sister of the bride, looked sweet in a frock of Marina blue silk, ankle length, with hat and shoes to tone, carrying a bouquet of pink dahlias. Mr C. Prosser acted as best man. The church was artistically decorated by friends of the bride.
After the ceremony a reception was held in the church hall, where everyone had an enjoyable time and the customary toasts were honored. The bride travelled in a coat and skirt, having hat, gloves and shoes to match. After saying good-bye to their friends, they left for Perth.
ABOUT THE BAPTIST CHURCH
Baptists form a major branch of Protestantism distinguished by baptizing professing believers only (believer’s baptism, as opposed to infant baptism), and doing so by complete immersion (as opposed to affusion or aspersion).
Baptist churches also generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul competency (the responsibility and accountability of every person before God), sola fide (salvation by faith alone), sola scriptura (scripture alone as the rule of faith and practice) and congregationalist church government. Baptists generally recognise two ordinances: baptism and communion. Continue reading
BAPTIST CHURCHES WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Baptist Churches Western Australia (BCWA) exists to serve the Baptist churches, agencies and institutions by doing those activities which are better achieved when we work together. Visit website
AUSTRALIAN BAPTIST MINISTRIES
Australian Baptists are a multi-cultural and multi-generational movement of people serving communities in metropolitan, regional, coastal, rural and remote Australia through a network of almost 1000 churches. Visit website
FOUR HUNDRED YEARS
