Armadale Baptist Church, Armadale: Sunday Services, Community Arts and a Shared Garden on Kooyong Road

On Kooyong Road, Armadale Baptist Church describes itself as a contemporary church with a long history. It is also much more than a place of Sunday worship. Its building at number 88 has been developed as a home for community groups, performing artists, a choir, young families and a community garden, all with the aim of building community in Armadale.

A long history in Armadale

The church's history includes strong teaching and many forms of engagement with the local community, from the Boys' Brigade and a sewing ministry that made clothes for children in poverty to links with the Melbourne Bible Institute and Yooralla. In more recent times it has gathered a multi-generational congregation from all over Victoria. Some people join in person and some electronically, and each person is encouraged to be an agent of positive change in their own neighbourhood, whether that is Armadale, Moorolbark or Echuca.

Small, welcoming and creative

The church's values give a clear picture of its character. It wants to be not just friendly but a place of real friendship, where you will be noticed and valued and your contributions are welcome. Gatherings are flexible, relaxed and participatory: sometimes music on a stage and images on a screen, sometimes round-table discussions over food or imaginative reflection. There are children and great-grandparents in the congregation and everyone in between. Because the church is small, it chooses to engage with people as individuals, and children are involved in ways that connect with what the adults are learning.

Sunday worship is at 10am, both onsite and online. The first Sunday of each month is Super Sunday, an intergenerational, interactive service, and other weeks are Simple Sundays, with informal worship and teaching in the round. Senior Pastor Rev. Jude Waldron, who holds a degree in music (voice) and has served as a chaplain in educational settings, says the thing to love about Armadale Baptist right now is that the people are genuinely accepting and encouraging, and everyone has a voice.

The ABC Community Arts Hub

A highlight is the ABC Community Arts Hub, a collection of spaces hosted by the church where community groups, especially performing arts groups, can meet, collaborate, rehearse, learn and perform together. The venue has three rehearsal and meeting rooms, a large hall, a kitchen and an auditorium for performances and conferences. For all ages, the Hub's groups dance, sing, act, cook and exercise, and its events include concerts, workshops and showcases open to the public. Groups interested in joining can contact the church and check the booking schedule.

Music, choir and garden

Every Monday at 9:30am the church runs mainly music, weekly music sessions for under-fives and their carers. On Sunday nights from 7:30 to 9pm, The Gospel Project rehearses: a funky, a cappella, unauditioned community choir. Outside, the ABC Community Garden, established in partnership with Stonnington Council, is tended by keen locals who meet on the first Saturday of each month at 1pm. Members can visit the garden at any time, and compost bins accept donations from the public.

Visit Armadale Baptist Church

Armadale Baptist Church is at 88 Kooyong Road, Armadale, with worship at 10am on Sundays. To find out more about any of its groups, call 03 9822 7881 or email office@armadalebaptist.org.

Contact

Armadale Baptist Church
88 Kooyong Road, Armadale VIC 3143
Phone: 03 9822 7881
Email: office@armadalebaptist.org
Website: armadalebaptist.org
Hours: Sunday worship 10am (onsite and online)

SHOUT US A COFFEE

If you like our work, why not shout us a coffee? Every contribution allows us to continue to serve local businesses, local sports clubs, and local community groups. It also helps us get kids into positive and healthy junior sport through our parent company BMBA Basketball Pty Ltd, where all funds are directed.

Support us so we can support our local communities. Buy us a coffee today!