The Open Brethren in Western Australia
Evidence exists of outreach in Western Australia by Open Brethren assembly evangelists at least as early as 1873.
An obituary for a Mrs A S Rolph of Tasmania in 1936 revealed that she became a Christian in Esperance some 63 years previous under the ministry of a Mr Moyse, who had come from the United Kingdom and ministered in Australia from 1886-1880 from his base in Tasmania. A Mr Thomas Manders, an evangelist from the eastern states, also ministered in WA from 1897-1900.
As a result of these visits, as well as continuing immigration from the UK, various assemblies were established in WA – first at Fremantle in 1896 (which later became Hamilton Hill Assembly), then Perth in 1901. An assembly commenced in Claremont in 1910, followed by Victoria Park in 1924.
Wilson Gospel Chapel
The history of WGC begins in the late 1950s at Victoria Park Assembly.
By 1958, the Sunday School at Vic Park had grown to well over 100 children, with many coming from outlying areas. Attendance had grown so much that the larger Victoria Park Town Hall had to be rented to hold anniversaries and other special events.
As a result, brethren from Vic Park, led by Mr Alf Staer, were led to commence a Sunday School in the Wilson-Bentley area. This work started at Bentley Primary School under the superintendency of Mr Staer, with children transported by bus by a brother.
Active recruitment in the area rapidly increased Sunday School attendance to over 100 children, plus 50 in the kindergarten.
With growth, the desire to establish a new assembly became more urgent and consequently, land was purchased at the corner of Bungaree and Andrews Roads, Wilson. Foundations for a Chapel were laid in June 1960, and 5 months later the first meeting was held in the newly finished building on 6 November.
At the official opening, tribute was paid to the untiring efforts of Mr Staer, the work of Sunday School teachers, and particularly to the brother who provided the bus transport.
Among the foundation members of the new Wilson Gospel Chapel were:
- Mr and Mrs R Annett-Stuart
- Mr and Mrs J Bain
- Mr and Mrs A Staer
- Mr and Mrs E Trotter
- Mr and Mrs S Vessey
Over the years, growth required the enlargement of the Chapel complex on three occasions and, by 1967, brethren at WGC were led to commence a work in the Lynwood area. Again, Mr Staer would take the lead, commencing a Sunday School in November 1967 at Lynwood Kindergarten. Regular assembly activities soon followed and eventually Lynwood Christian Church opened on 20 April 1969.
By the early 1990s at WGC, the Lord had blessed the work with membership in excess of 100, 3 youth groups catering to different ages, and an Arabic fellowship led by Mr Bassam Abouhadair, which met weekly. Outreach to Brownlie Towers, a pair of 10-storey apartment blocks in Bentley once dubbed ‘Perth’s most notorious public housing complex’ by the ABC, was undertaken regularly until the Towers were demolished in 2019.
During its history, WGC has commended 3 overseas workers and 2 within Western Australia, and regularly supports a number of missions financially and in prayer.
2010 marked the 50th anniversary of WGC. A reunion event was held to mark this significant occasion, and the Chapel was filled to bursting with many friends and family members who came to celebrate.
By God’s grace, WGC continues to minister faithfully in the Wilson area and surrounds.
