History

The early history of Wattle Grove Baptist Church began when David and Agnes Wells and family moved into the area from Maylands, into a charming old home at the foot of the Darling Range.

There was a church building in Wattle Grove very early in its history. In 1918 a small wooden building on Mr. Barnsley’s farm, Station Street and Welshpool Rd corner, served as a church, replacing services held in his old barn. The title of this building was made over to the Congregational Home Mission and later it was moved, to become the supper room at the Henry St .Congregational Church in Cannington, at a cost of 50 pounds.

The Wells family commenced services, church and Sunday School, in the local hall on the corner of William St and Welshpool Road. This hall, built in 1914, was used as a school too until 1939 when a purpose built school opened on the site of the 4 acre polo ground and opposite the Chinese market garden of Hop Wong and Hee Ah on Welshpool Road east.

In that same year Frank .J. Wells son of David laid the foundation stone for the church on a block of 1 acre in Welshpool Rd, across William St from the hall, and bought for 30 pounds from a Miss Pengelley.

This had been the site of a stone crusher.

When the second World War came all volunteer work ceased on the building of the church. It was in 1947 on an auspicious occasion that the little white church was finished and opened. Considering that all the bricks were hand made, all carpentry done by the church members, this was quite an achievement.

The church became a community centre and had a large Sunday School of almost 250 children. A bus was purchased and children were picked up from around the district. A tennis court was built c1950 and an ex army hut was placed on the Eastern side if the church building. This was used for socials. Classes, Christian Endeavour meetings, Ladies Guild , Little White Ribboner's, Temperance meetings , family Basket Teas etc..

Over time the old pedal organ was updated to an electronic one, a side hall was built replacing the old army hut and many improvements that are obvious today accommodating the needs of this successful church congregation. 

Even after over 70 years the essence of the Wattle Grove Baptist Church is one of unique  friendliness and Spiritual Power.

Many thanks to Arlene for this article.