Several attempts were made to promote Baptist work in the growing suburb of Torbay from 1965 onwards. These were initiated by Murrays Bay Church and by individual members who lived in the Torbay area.
1965 A mid-week home group was started at the home of Mr. & Mrs. J. Battersby at Northcross.
1968 A Torbay Baptist Fellowship was formed. Twenty people were present at the first meeting held in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Cox at 979 Beach Road.
1970 Murrays Bay Baptist Church formed a committee to consider “a fellowship or church” in the Torbay area.
1972 A meeting was held at 139 Glamorgan Drive to consider starting a Sunday School. 28 people attended.
For a variety of reasons these early efforts did not succeed in establishing a church, but they created the climate for future developments.
The commencement of a Baptist Sunday School in the Northcross Community Hall was a key stop in the formation of the Long Bay Church. The Sunday School began on 25 May 1975 at 9am. 25 children attended.
The staff were:
Mr.T.Owens (Superintendent), Mrs.A.Wakerley (Secretary), Mrs.M.Owens (Primary), Rev.T.Gibbs and Mr.R.Garlick (Supervisors), Mrs.N.Belin, Mr. & Mrs.J.Wakerley, Mrs.B.Nicholson, Mr.M.Philpot (Teachers).
A “Happy Hour” week in the August holidays gave impetus to the work and bi-monthly family services began in the Hall. At the first Christmas Service in 1975, 111 people attended.
The growth of the Sunday School, the services begun in the Northcross Hall and the arrival of new families into the Torbay area raised new hopes.
On 20 April 1977 a Long Bay Baptist Fellowship was formed at a meeting in the home of Mr. and Mrs.L.Kitchen at 28 Rock Isle Road. 44 people attended. 29 agreed to become foundation members if a Baptist Church could be formed.
A committee was appointed to prepare the way for a church. It consisted of: Mr.Lloyd Kitchen (Chairman), Mr.R.Stephenson (Secretary), Mr.J.Russell (Treasurer), Messrs R.Galick, M.Kerr, J.Wakerley, H.Woodcock (representing Murrays Bay Church) and Rev.T.Gibbs (ex officio).
After 13 years of preparatory efforts the Long Bay Baptist Church was officially constituted at a service held in the Murrays Bay Church on 26 February 1978. At this service Rev.Jim Patrick was inducted as the first full-time minister of the church. For the previous 7 years he had served as minister of the Wellington South Church.
There were 49 foundation members on the roll of the new church. Ted Arbuckle was appointed Secretary and John Russell Treasurer.
PROPERTY
When the church was first formed it met at the Northcross Community Hall in East Coast Road. It had no manse and no property.
LAND
In 1973 the Auckland Baptist Association, with an eye to development of Baptist work in the area purchased two sections in what is now Weatherly Road. These were later sold as adjoining land was unobtainable for future growth. In 1978 serious attempts were made to find suitable property for a church. Eventually 1.75 acres in Glenvar Road were bought by the Baptist Association for $30,000. This land was presented to the new church to develop.
MANSE
The East Coast Bays City Council offered for sale and removal a 3 bedroom house in Browns Bay. This was eventually obtained for $8,000 and was moved to the Glenvar Road site in the winter of 1978. With much volunteer help the house was largely rebuilt and redecorated and was first occupied on 9 December 1978.
CHURCH
And Auckland Architect, Mr.Oliver Donnell, prepared an overall plan of staged development for an auditorium, hall and other facilities. Work on the auditorium began in the winter on 1980. it was officially opened on the weekend of 21-22 February 1981. On a hot February day about 300 people crowded the new building for a memorable opening service. Mr.Lloyd Kitchen chaired the opening, Rev.Trevor Gibbs led in prayer and Mr.Royce Garlick officially opened the doors.
HALL
The steady growth of the church meant that by 1985 the next stage of the planned development could proceed.
A contract was let for the floor and outer shell of the building. The internal work was completed by volunteer labour under the direction of Mr.Rick Utting, a qualified builder and church member. The Hall, one of the best in the district, was officially opened on 11 May 1986 by Mr.J.Hinton, Mayor of East Coast Bays. The Hall cost $128,037.
KINDERGARTEN
In order to make full use of the premises and as a community service, a kindergarten was developed .Voluntary labour made possible a fine outdoor play area for the children, and a paved courtyard.The Kindergarten was formally opened by the Mayor, Mr.J.Hinton on 14 September 1987.It is supervised by Mrs.Sue Humphries and Mrs.Trish Wilson, and is open each week day.
Ministry
Rev.Jim Patrick, the first minister of the church, served for 6 years (1978-84). He and his wife, Lois, worked hard and effectively with a first-rate team of church leaders. Lloyd Kitchen made a particularly notable contribution. A former President of the Baptist Union, he brought to the new church spiritual acumen and dedicated enthusiasm. His tragic death in a car accident in 1983 was a severe loss to the church. When Rev.Jim Patrick left for Te Awamutu in 1984, the church then called Rev.Angus Macleod from Christchurch. He commenced his ministry on 2 February 1985.
Sunday School
The Sunday School has been fortunate in having excellent leadership since it began in having excellent leadership since it began in 1975. Brian Carr, Ros Patchett and Murray Dixon have been superintendents, and the roll has grown from 28 to 85.
Youth
Youth work at the church in the early years was difficult. Older young people initially gravitated to the strong Murrays Bay Youth Group. Thanks to the excellent work of Bob and Chris Holmes, Mark and Lesley Taylor and, latterly, Martin and Margaret Cleland, the youth work is now soundly based and growing.
Missionary
Jim and Carol Wakerley, who shared in the formation of the church went out as missionaries with Middle East Christian Outreach in 1983. They have been assisted in their support by the church ever since. The BWMU (now BMF) has kept the needs of the Baptist Missionary Society before the church. Financial support is given largely through the Annual Self-Denial Appeal.
Outreach
A special Mission was held in 1983, led by Evangelist Tom Frew. A team from the church has regularly visited Paremoremo Medium Security Prison since 1983. The ‘Hub’, a craft group started by Mrs.Patrick in 1980, has continued to be a link with many women in the area. In 1987 the Church shared in the city-wide evangelistic Mission of Evangelist Luis Palau.
Music
The church has been fortunate in having gifted musicians. Murray Kerr has served as pianist since the formation of the church. The first organ was a gift from the Tikipunga Church. In 1985 an anonymous donor presented a new electronic organ and the older one was presented to the new church at Waiheke Island.
That was the first 10 years....
Services at
9.00am, 10.30am & 5.00pm
“A Life Shared”
Worship: Helen Kerr
Speaker: Ross Georgiou
JC’s Kids: Unwise Guys - To be wise, hang out with wise people
JC’s Explorers:
“God is with me”
6.30pm Youth Tea -$3 please
Newcomers are welcome
Sun 8th 4.00pm Lydia hostess' meeting in the library
Tues 10th Nov 6.00am Prayer Meeting in the Church Office.
Thu 12th November LYDIA for women
Fri 13th November 7.30pm
Art for His Heart
Sat 21st November 4.00pm-6.00pm Christmas Parade Working Bee in the Church Hall
Sat 6th December Christmas
Parade
