THE 50th anniversary of the Eastside Christian Centre will be celebrated on Sunday as supporters reflect on the institution’s history and role in the community.
Formation of the church started in the ’60s with a tent campaign hosted at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds, where American evangelist A.S. Worley captured the faith of many surrounding residents.
Soon after, in 1965, member Glad Cooley met Pastor Cliff Beard, who followed in A.S. Worley’s footsteps.
“While he was here he talked to me about the lord and invited me to a Sunday night meeting,” Ms Cooley said.
“At the meeting, Pastor Tony Smits and his wife Barbara were to lead the service as Pastor Beard had moved on.
“Eventually we moved to Buff’s Hall on Sturt Street where numbers grew to over 70 or more people and a bond of love was created.”
Baptisms in the sea, picnics and street meetings continued to grow, with events moving to Vansittart Park due to the crowd.
“We reached out to accept others, thus increasing God’s family,” Ms Cooley said.
“Pastor Smit’s family eventually moved to Horsham and in 1968 Pastor Val Costin and wife Maureen took the reins down at Mark Street, which is now occupied by Lifeline.
“When coming back from Adelaide after completing a Bible course, we had much laughter and everyone was given a job, making us feel wanted.”
Church representative Sue Wilkinson was there from 1980 when youth leaders Pastor David and Jenny Furniss led the Faith Centre, where their banner proclaimed “God is love”.
“It was the love that drew me to the church throughout a tough personal time,” Ms Wilkinson said.
“We were encouraged to take notes and make actions based on the word of God.
“We were family, brothers, sisters in Christ and had a bond of love like no other.”
Ms Cooley went on to explain this weekend the community would celebrate 50 years since its establishment at Mark Street.
“From Mark Street we moved here in Hanson Street, when Pastor David and Jenny moved to Victoria in 2000,” Ms Cooley said.
“We changed our name to Eastside Christian Centre due to relocation to the east part of town.
“Don Cooley looked after the church until 2002 when Pastor Phil and Heather took over.”
Mr Cooley explained when the Girl Guides hall located at the back of the building became vacant and five years ago the church community bought the hall and block of land in between.
“The hall is currently utilised for community workshops, including preschool program Jump Start Joeys, men’s fellowship group meetings, Hanson Street Craft meetings and Sunday School,” Mr Cooley said.
“All involved have always been very faithful.”
From 2014, Pastor Dean Andresen has restructured the establishment and continued to build on its success.
Glad Cooley mentioned the church community’s current aspirations to help in the city.
“There are so many people that are hurt, such as drug addicts,” Ms Cooley said.
“We do not care what they look like or what they wear, we will welcome them.
“They need to know they are loved regardless of who they are.”
The centre has been involved in many community events over the decades, including community barbecues, singing at The Oaks Aged Care Facility and old hospital, children’s programs in primary schools and awareness campaigns for youth unemployment.
The Eastside Christian Centre welcomes the community this Sunday at 10am to a community celebration, recognising the history of the establishment.
