Rev. Colin Hunter (Oakleigh Baptist) envisioned that the suburb of Clarinda had the potential for a Baptist Church to be established.
On the 22/01/1987 in the home of Rev. Chris and Carole Herbert a group of interested people came together to discuss the new Church’s potential. Its original title was The Clarinda Outreach Group. The first people attending were the Rev. Chris Herbert, Carole Herbert, Boyd Hando, Elva Hando, Glad Burmeister, Sylvia & Gerry Vanderhorst, Rev. Gordon Merry, Ron Stevens, Lew & Jenny Celle and Garry Harwood.
✟ First Church Service – Viney Street Community Hall – 22nd March 1987 Rev. Gordon Merry
✟ First Regular Pastor – 24th May 1987 Robert Arnold
✟ First Sunday School – 7th June 1987
✟ First Drop In – 11th June 1987
Robert Arnold acquired the current Church property on behalf of the Congregation, subject to loan in March 1988
Clarinda Church House Dedication – 10th April 1988
Grant from Baptist Union to purchase 124 Bourke Road Clarinda January 1995
Kids Club Started – July 1997
Ministers Over the Years:
– Rev. Craig Semple – 1993 – Church Worship Services – Sundowner Hall
– Rev. David Enticott – 1/02/2001
Interim’s
– Rev. Geoff Blackburn – 2003
– Rev. Lindsay Smith – 2004
– Rev. Peter Jenkins – 2005
– Rev. Ian Mitchell (Pastoral Advisor) March. 2006 – 2007
The Church Changed its Leadership Model to Elder Deacons
– Lew Celle Elder – 2008
Worship Services moved to 124 Bourke Road, Clarinda.
The Church reverted to Pastor Deacons in 2015
-Lew Celle appointed as Pastor – 2015
Current Leadership Model at Clarinda Baptist Church since 2023 October has been a Elder Deacon Model.
Current Leadership team
Deacons – Trevor Peters, Gerry Vanderhost, Lloyd Peters, Adele Peters, and Haldane Peters