For more than 110 years, BaptistCare has supported people and communities through care, connection and practical support. Guided by our Christian identity, we work alongside people at different stages of life, guided by our purpose; inspired by Jesus to champion care for all.
In South Australia, support for people living on the streets was established in 1913 through the West End Baptist Church and West End City Mission, planting the seeds for the coming together of Baptist Care SA.
In NSW, pioneering Baptist volunteers established the Baptist Homes Trust in post-war 1944, driven to provide suitable accommodation and nursing care for older women.
Just one year later in Victoria, a group of dedicated Baptist women raised funds to open Victoria’s first Baptist home for older people, leading to the foundation of Baptcare.
Meanwhile, on the West Coast, a kindred ministry emerged in the early 1970s, with the Baptist Homes Board established in WA to provide much-needed accommodation and nursing care for older people.
In March 2025, our organisations came together to carry forward this rich heritage of care, compassion, and community as one BaptistCare. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected future. One that honours our past while embracing the opportunities of the future.
A further history of our work in South Australia follows.
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, Superintendent of the West End Baptist Mission and his wife, Lucy, established a kindergarten in a California style bungalow, that accommodated 30 children. That site today houses the Westcare Baptist Church and Baptist Care SA’s WestCare Centre.
In 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.
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.
In 2020, we acquired Tumbelin Farm—a working property and residential adventure 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, 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.
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