This year, 2004, marks twenty years since the Baptist Historical Society of Queensland was established. The original meeting creating a voluntary society within the Baptist denomination was held on 1 May 1984 at Windsor Road Baptist Church, and from then on, regular gatherings and various activities been held—some times highly successful and sometimes otherwise!
The BHSQ had a pre-history dating back to 1961 when the Baptist
Union of Queensland appointed a committee which was known as the
Baptist Historical Society—as a committee it was not a society
with individual membership in the same manner as now. The convenor
was Principal T.C. Warriner but in 1963 Rev. John E. White assumed
the position. He was succeeded in 1979 by Mr Bob Bavinton. Although
this committee/society had a twenty year life span, it was not
very active. Its main interest was the centenary of the formation
of the Baptist Union in 1977, but the large scale celebrations
for that event were handled by a separate committee. On the literary
side, Rev John White was commissioned to write the official history
of the Baptist Union which was published in 1977 as A Fellowship
of Service. But this was mainly his own personal work and not
the responsibility of the historical committee.
There was an even earlier historical interest at the national
level in 1950 when the Baptist Union of Australia established
the Australian Baptist Historical Society, but its impact in Queensland
was minimal.
The current BHSQ dates from initiatives at the 1983 Assembly which
transformed the old committee into a Society like those operating
in other states. Many churches have been visited with the BHSQ’s
annual presentation, 57 newsletters have been published, and in
latter years, a large number of books have been published. It
is appropriate that our major project in this, the twentieth year,
is preparation of a new history of Baptists in Queensland to be
published at the sesqui-centenary of the Baptist work in Queensland
in 2005. It is hoped that there will be suitable celebrations
at denominational and local level to mark this milestone. But
much more help is needed if this goal is to be achieved.
World War II had a wide impact on Australian society and the Baptist churches in particular, but it did not stop Queensland Baptists from taking the initiative in evangelism. The Assembly in September 1944 heard a report from the Evangelistic Committee about a vigorous program of activity, including inspirational and evangelistic rallies almost every month, student pastors giving their only free night once a month in four different suburban churches, a New Year's Day convention and literature distribution. But most significant of all was a visit by Evangelist Phil Hayes of NSW who spent three months with his Gospel Waggon in Queensland in six different city and country locations. His 'fruitful' ministry included churches services, open-air meetings, school sessions and visits to military camps.
The Big Plan
It was not surprising then that the Committee reported that, having
been concerned for some time about 'greater evangelistic witness
in our State', presented an ambitious plan to meet the needs of
'the present time and for post-war reconstruction,' The plan
was for a Gospel Waggon and an evangelist for Queensland itself,
which would cost £1,250 in the first year. It was 'a big
task' but they were confident that it could be achieved. They
had in mind a 2 ton van fitted out with sleeping accommodation
for two, with suitable storage space, PA system, books, ‘magic’
lantern, lighting and other necessary equipment. It would visit
country churches and schools, outback homesteads and isolated
Baptists wherever they could be found, and holiday resorts for
direct evangelistic work and to strengthen the churches. To raise
funds, it was proposed to offer 10 shilling shares (and greater),
a special appeal to churches, accumulated denominational funds
and thank offerings. It was expected that the van would cost £800,
salary and expenses of the evangelist would be £425 and
there would be £25 in incidentals.
An imaginative and comprehensive publicity campaign began and
the idea gripped the imagination of the churches. £220 was
raised in the first annual appeal and £829 was raised in
six months in shares. Within a year, a total of £1376 was
available - the figure rose £1800 eventually. So plans were
set in motion for the design of a van and the appointment of an
evangelist. In Feb 1946, a 3 ton Dodge chassis was purchased,
but shortage of supplies delayed the fitting out. However, the
van was completed in time (and on budget) to be dedicated at the
annual assembly in September of that year. Mr C.T. Bickerton of
Kalbar did not take his commission on the purchase of the vehicle,
and Rev. Lyle Thomson and Mr C. Grandin of Sydney helped with
plans. Mr George Ham who worked with Chandlers arranged for the
PA system and Mr F.H. Shuttlewood of Toowong did the body work.
Mr Geo Leggett, Secretary of the Committee, took care of many
of the details.
In the meantime, Rev. A. J. Maxwell Howard was appointed as the
evangelist. He had been trained for the ministry and served almost
a decade in NSW before taking up the work at Silkstone in 1938;
since the war, had been working with the Queensland Temperance
League. Later he would serve distinguished pastorates at Toowoomba,
Sandgate and Gordon Park. He was inducted into his new office
during the 1946 Assembly.
The Waggon was dedicated 'amid the sylvan setting of the Botanical
Gardens' on 28 Sept 1946 during the Assembly, in the presence
of 400 Baptists. The gathering was led by the Union President,
Rev. E. Edwards, who also offered the dedication prayer. Other
distinguished guests included Rev. F.C. Morton of England, evangelists
Rev. John Ridley and J. Carrol (with the No 1 Gospel Waggon from
NSW) and local civic and church leaders. The official handing
over was carried out by the chairman of the Evangelistic Committee,
Mr J.F. Sullivan, and Harold Carothers sang the theme song, 'Christ
for Queensland.'