About us
Our history
our history

Our history

Established in 1913, we’ve been of service for over 100 years

We began when the community of the West End Baptist Church located in Millers Court in Adelaide, started the West End Baptist Mission to provide a safe place for people living on the streets.

Today, that site is known as Baptist Care SA’s WestCare Centre and is the location where we continue to support people who are experiencing homelessness. This now includes overnight accommodation during extreme weather events, a Community Food Hub providing free or low-cost food to people in need, referrals to other services and education opportunities for schools to learn about homelessness.

In 1949, the South Australian Baptist Union (now Baptist Churches of South Australia) established a home for people who were frail aged in Norwood. This was followed by additional homes in Morphett Vale and Davoren Park.

In 1956, the South Australian Baptist Union added to their list of services when they opened the Mylor Baptist Camp in the Adelaide Hills as a place to provide tailored camping experiences for school and church groups.

In 1998, the West End Baptist Mission and Mylor Baptist Camp amalgamated to form Baptist Community Services SA.

In 2008, Baptist Community Services SA and the South Australian Baptist Homes for Aged came together under the name Baptist Care SA. At this time, Baptist Care SA assumed responsibility for Mylor Baptist Camp, which became known as Mylor Adventure Camp. In recent years, we’ve added Wirraway Homestead and Tumbelin Farm to our faith-based Adventure Services.

In 2013, Baptist Churches of South Australia decided to no longer provide aged care services and Baptist Care SA ceased service provision.

Today, our services extend to out-of-home care, disability care, family wellbeing and support for young people who are refugees. With the support of local Elders and Leaders, we provide culturally appropriate specialist services to people who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

As a ministry of Baptist Churches of South Australia, Baptist Care SA also provides Chaplaincy services for community settings and partners with local congregations to help churches build stronger relationships in their local communities.

Acknowledgement of Country

Baptist Care SA acknowledges we work on the lands of the Kaurna, Peramangk and Boandik people. We respect the ongoing skilful custodianship of lands, skies and waters and the continuous deep cultural connection with Country. We pay respect to Elders and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from all Countries, Nations and Mobs.

Ngadlu tampinthi Kaurna miyurna yaitya yarta-mathanya Wama. Tarntanyaku, ngadluku piipawarpulayi kuu Kaurna yartangka tikanthi.

(We acknowledge the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains as the traditional owners of the land on which our office sits.)

Ngathu putama nhu mraat, mraat Boandikat wulnuwitjara Berrinat ba mraatat mingru Berrin (I recognise this country (is) the country of the Boandik, the custodians of Mt Gambier and the country around Mt Gambier.)