THE EARLY YEARS

J.H. Johnson was a Scotsman, formerly associated  with the Churches of Christ in Victoria. Living in  Toowoomba he financially sponsored a young preacher, F.W. Troy, to go south and encourage support for the  development of a Church here in Toowoomba. A young  evangelist from Tasmania, Stephen Cheek, came to  Queensland with Troy. After meetings at Zillmere they came  to Toowoomba.

Eighteen  people met for the first 'breaking of bread' in the  Toowoomba Temperance Hall in the year 1882. By 1886 we had  52 members with 70 Bible School pupils and 6 teachers. By  1904, we had acquired our own meeting place in Little  Russell Street.

In 1929, with a membership of 121, an evangelistic crusade was held with renowned evangelist E.C. Hinrichson. There were 156 confessions of faith  during the crusade, and the Church prospered. Soon after this, the building at 133 Margaret Street was purchased.

This  became the Church's worship and activity Centre for  nearly 65 years, such that locally we were known as the  Margaret Street Church of Christ.

EIGHTIES AND NINETIES

A period of rapid Church Growth during the 1980's, under Bruce Armstrong's innovative leadership, meant that the Margaret Street premises could no longer adequately accommodate the congregation. Lack of parking, seating, office space, and activity areas were limiting the church’s program and possible development. The vision to relocate to our current facilities at Hume Street and build a modern, spacious worship centre was not without its price, but has proven to be an inspirational and helpful step.

The  facilities were opened in October 1994, with the Youth  Centre and Gymnasium completed in 1995. Since relocating,  the Church has continued to meet many community needs, and  has experienced quite rapid growth in worship attendance  and membership.

In 1997 Bruce Armstrong concluded a successful 18 year ministry, and Dale White then commenced as Ministry Team Leader and now works with a very committed and capable Ministry Team comprising four ministers, a counsellor, and other program or administration staff.

BEYOND 2000

It is now 2009, and there are some 900 people involved in morning worship services and  200+ in evening services. In recent years, our worship has  intentionally become more contemporary; our membership  criteria has widened; small groups have become integral to  our ministry, and the Ministry Team has expanded. A  Counselling Service has commenced and new programs -  Christianity Explained and What4? - have been established. There has been a renewed commitment to Church Planting, and Highfields Church was planted. Church facilities are once again stretched and plans are underway for further expansion. It will be exciting to see  what God will do in and through the HumeRidge Church of  Christ in the years to come.

 

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