Our Story
Annerley to Coopers Plains
Village Avenue Community Church was officially opened by the Governor of Queensland in 1997, but our history dates back to the early 1930's.
Mr and Mrs Goodhew (a Christian couple who lived in Tarragindi), were reaching out to poverty stricken war veterans and pensioners in their community with love, practical gifts and the Gospel. After some time, the couple also started opening up their home to run Sunday school and evening Gospel meetings. The gathering continued to expand in numbers and eventually outgrew the small Goodhew home.
Finding no building to rent in the area, the Goodhews decided to extend their family home to accommodate the growth. Even with this extension, the space was still too small for the ever-growing numbers, so in 1948, a hall was built on Franklin Street, Annerley and named 'Annerley Gospel Chapel'. As the newly established church grew, it also required extending to facilitate the continued growth. This extension was completed in 1966.
During the early 1990s it became evident that we were not progressing as a church, due to both the limitations of the land and location, and a lack of vision. The church leadership made the decision to sell the property, employ our first Pastor and enlarge the vision of the church. God very clearly led us to our current site at The Village Avenue, Coopers Plains. After selling the property at Annerley and purchasing the land at Coopers Plains, the church met at the Coopers Plains State School for a few years during the construction. Throughout those years, the church continued to grow, and many Saturdays were spent at working bees, doing much of the work ourselves to minimise building costs. By God’s grace, we now meet in a beautiful, functional facility that is now debt free.
Our name reflects our Church’s desire to be seen as a relevant part of the local community. In the last twenty years we have established a strong community presence through our involvement with children’s and youth ministries, both in the church and in the local school. We also run a busy emergency relief program aimed at meeting the needs of disadvantaged and marginalised families.
As we look to the future, it is our desire to remain true to the word of God, disciple people to grow to be more Christ-like, and evangelise to see more people brought into his kingdom.
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Ephesians 3:21 KJV