Our beginning 

The South Australian Baptist Association (now Baptist Churches South Australia and Northern Territory) was formed in 1863 to enable South Australian Baptist churches to partner in mission.  

 In 1913, the West End Baptist Church and West End City Mission was established to provide a safe place for people living on the streets. The church and the mission were built with the proceeds of the sale of the Bentham St Baptist Chapel. 

In 1920, Robert Lavis, the Superintendent of the West End Baptist Mission, and his wife, Lucy, established a kindergarten in a California style bungalow, that accommodated over 200 children. 

 Today, that site is houses the WestCare Baptist Church and Baptist Care SA’s WestCare Centre. It is 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.  
 

1949-2004

n 1949, the South Australian Baptist Association established South Australian Baptist Homes for Aged. The first home to be opened was ‘Illoura’ in Norwood, which was a ‘rest home for aged people’. This was followed by homes Davoren Park in 1973 and 2004 and the Allan Tinsley Hostel in Morphett Vale in 1995.  

In 1956, the South Australian Baptist Association opened the Mylor Baptist Camp in the Adelaide Hills as a place to provide camping experiences for school and church groups. 

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

2008-2021

In 2008, Baptist Community Services SA and 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 2013, Baptist Care SA sold its homes for the aged and ceased providing service. The proceeds of the sales formed the Baptist Care SA Foundation, which exists to provide income for programs and services for which dependable funding may not be available. 

  

 

 

2020-2021

In 2020, we acquired Tumbelin Farm—a working property and residential advenrture therapy program for young people to overcome drug and alcohol related problems.  

 In 2021 we took over ownership and management of Wirraway Homestead, which was added to our suite of Adventure Camping services.   

Today

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 an affiliated 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.

Timeline

1863

South Australian Baptist Association (now Baptist Churches SA/NT) formed. 

1913

West End Baptist Church and West End City Mission  established.

1949

South Australian Baptist Homes for Aged founded.

1998

West End City Mission and South Australian Baptist Association join to form Baptist Community Services SA.

2008

Baptist Community Services SA and South Australian Baptist Homes for Aged amalgamate to form Baptist Care SA.

About us

We have been expressing God’s love and compassion  since 1913.

Learn more

Board

Our volunteer board is made up of people who are part of the Baptist Movement. 

Learn more

Executive Team

Baptist Care SA’s Executive Team 

Learn more

Publications

Annual reports, strategies and frameworks 

Learn more

Baptist Care SA, lives, works and walks on Kaurna, Peramangk and Boandik lands. We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the state’s first peoples, recognise their traditional ownership, and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs, deep connection and continued guardianship of land and waters. We value the contributions of Elders past and present, and are committed to learning from those emerging.