Lenah Valley 70th Birthday Celebration

Sunday 5th August Lenah Valley/Citywide Baptist Church 70th Anniversary

This weekend we celebrate 70 years of Gods work in Lenah Valley through His people.

We’ll be marking this anniversary with a special Sunday morning service at Lenah Valley at 10am, with the service being simulcast through to the Mornington Campus on the morning. The service will be followed by a celebration lunch at the Lenah Valley RSL. [Update: Unfortunately due to popular demand the lunch at the RSL has been completely booked out]

From 2:30pm we’ll be meeting together back at the Citywide Lenah Valley for a cake cutting and afternoon tea, all are welcome. This time will also feature a pictorial retrospective of the Lenah Valley journey over the last 70 years.

Because we are expecting a large amount of visitors we would love it if people could provide a plate to share for the afternoon tea. Also, parking is available for those attending the Lenah Valley events at the RSL (right hand side of the car park) or at the primary school on Creek Road.

* MEDIA RELEASE * Church celebrates 70th anniversary of serving Lenah Valley and Northern Suburbs today.

When the Baptist church started it’s work in Lenah Valley, it’s Pottery Road site was at the very edge of the city, and the end of the line for the local tram. Seventy years later many of the people who have been part of the church over the years are returning to commemorate the moment. Many will be available for interview after the service. Lenah Valley Baptist church started as an outreach from Hobart Baptist church to the suburb in 1948 with Sunday school meetings first being held in the R.S.L. Hall. The church ultimately purchased the 2 Pottery Road site and the foundation stone was laid on the 17th July 1960 for a building that would go on to win an architectural award for its unusual boat shaped form. Over the years the building would be extended twice and the Lenah Valley congregation would form a partnership with a Baptist congregation on the Eastern shore and a Nepalese congregation which now also meets in the building. The three congregations are now known as Citywide Baptist church but retain their distinctive characteristics. Maurice and Chris French have been part of the Lenah Valley church from it’s earliest days in the R.S.L. hall. Chris says “This has always been a very friendly church. We have so many precious memories and dear friends from the last seven decades. Local churches like this are very important.” Today’s Celebrations will be held at the church building (2 Pottery Road, Lenah Valley): 10.a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Anniversary service including sharing memories of 70 years 12:30 p.m. Celebratory Lunch at Lenah Valley R.S.L. 2:30 p.m. Official Cake cutting by foundation member and Afternoon tea

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