Broome Uniting Church – 100 Years and More in the Kimberley
The north west town of Broome is a place rich in story. Here, red earth meets turquoise seas and vast cobalt skies, creating a landscape that draws visitors from around the world. However, Broome’s appeal extends beyond its natural beauty. Behind the postcard-perfect scenery is a fascinating history of pearling, cultural diversity and frontier hardship that once earned the wild and isolated outpost the reputation of being the ‘worst town in Australia’.
The Yawuru people are the traditional owners of the lands and waters in and around the Broome townsite (Rubibi). Following colonisation, the townsite of Broome was gazetted in November 1883, identified for its rich pearl shell beds in Roebuck Bay. Broome’s identity today is woven from many threads and is a living tapestry of Yawuru culture and the Japanese, Chinese, Malay, Filipino, Indonesian and European communities that helped build the town.
The Broome Uniting Church has played a role in the history of the area for 116 years. The congregation is part of the Pilgrim Presbytery of Northern Australia, within the Northern Synod of the Uniting Church in Australia.
100 years and more
This year the Broome Uniting Church celebrates 100 years of worship in the current church building. The church is one of the recognised historic sites in the area, set in the pearling district of the town adjacent to Roebuck Bay. The building reflects the architectural style of the time, a square building with wide wrap-around verandahs on three sides. Two of the side walls consist of solid wooden doors that can slide back to allow the breeze through, and importantly, can also be closed up and secured during cyclone season.
Although the church is approaching 100 years, the Broome worshipping community has a longer history. Ministry began 16 years earlier, with the WA Presbyterian Church setting up an outpost in the north west town in 1910. An extract from ‘A Brief History of the Broome Uniting Church’ by Joyce Hudson tells the story of its early beginnings:
“The story began in 1897 when Oliver Hogue, just returned from the north, reported to the shocked WA Presbyterian Church, that appalling neglect and degradation were the accepted way of life in the north.
The Presbyterian Moderator, the Rev J.C. Fordyce, offered himself to establish work in Broome, the world’s richest pearling grounds and known as ‘the worst town in Australia’.
In 1910 he arrived, acquiring the land in Anne St and erected the manse at the cost of 600 pounds. Worship was held in the original building on the wide latticed verandahs, and was called the Verandah Church.”
By 1912, the National Presbyterian Church created the Australian Inland Mission (AIM) Board who took responsibility for the north west region. Broome was the base for AIM’s pastoral patrol to Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek and Wyndham.
As the worshipping community began to outgrow the Verandah Church in the original manse, construction of the current church building began in 1925, with the first official service taking place on 29 August 1926, attended by the Governor-General of Australia, Lord Stonehaven and Lady Stonehaven. During this ‘Divine Service’ a memorial plaque to the late Rev F.G.H. (Fred) Brady was unveiled. Rev Brady served in the congregation and Kimberley patrol over two separate periods but tragically died in 1925 following an attack of malaria. His wife Mary Brady continued ministry in Broome through to 1926.
The original manse building was still used as a church residence up until 2008. It was then renamed ‘Rolland House’ after the second Presbyterian minister to the area Rev Frank Rolland (later Sir Francis Rolland) who was in placement from 1911 – 1912. Rolland House is now the location of their thriving op shop, and used for other activities of the congregation.
Much more could be said about the history of the Presbyterian, Methodist and Uniting Church presence in Broome. If you would like to know more, information is available on the Broome Uniting Church website – https://broome.unitingchurch.org.au/the-history-of-broome-uniting-church/
The Broome Church Today
The Broome Uniting Church congregation in recent times is predominantly lay-led, with visiting ministers serving in supply placements during the dry season. Currently in supply ministry is Rev Bob Smith, who with his wife Marilyn, are immersing themselves in the congregation for a couple of months. The congregation expands and contracts depending on the season and work schedules. This mirrors the fluctuating population of the tourist town. Supply ministry assists the local congregation with worship, pastoral care and leadership support during the busier times.
Every Sunday morning the church offers a welcoming place of worship. When weather permits, people can choose to sit inside the church sanctuary, or chairs are available on the wide verandahs for those who prefer to be outside. With the doors pulled back, the inside and outside blend creating an invitational space for anyone who wishes to share in worship and stay for a cuppa after the service.
A Gathering Place
A key outreach of Broome Uniting Church is the thriving op shop. Originally operating on the verandahs of the church building in 1975, the operation was expanded to a small building called the Hostel for many years, located on the Anne Street property, and then in 2010 following renovation of ‘Rolland House’ the op shop expanded into its new home.
Today the op shop fills several rooms of Rolland House, plus its large lattice enclosed verandah and spills out onto the grounds. The shop is popular with travellers, tourists and the local community, and is open on Thursday and Saturday mornings from April to October, closing between November and March during the wet season.
A team of around eight key volunteers help keep things running smoothly. As well as selling pre-loved goods on the opening days, there’s the behind-the-scenes work of sorting, arranging and pricing of donations during the week. The church also donates items to local groups including animal rescues, craft groups, the library’s dementia program, and they endeavour to fill requests from community groups depending on need. The op shop is also a popular port of call for local theatre groups and visiting film crews hunting for props.
During the devastating Fitzroy River Floods in early 2023 the congregation were able to meet requests for supplies from local community groups including linen, clothes and shoes for distribution via community health workers assisting in the area.
As well as being a hub for second-hand goods, the congregation have also been maintaining a community vegetable garden in the grounds of Rolland House. Produce from the garden is shared amongst the volunteers and congregation when available, and plants are for sale to the community.
The team were also proud to be contributing to the circular economy, sharing of their resourceful approach to recycling and repurposing donations. You will often find Michael Lake, Chairperson of the Church Council and other volunteers testing and tagging electrical equipment. They also have puzzle sorters, jewellery detanglers and were positive in their ability to find uses for most items donated, resulting in minimal waste.
The Listening Table
For some people, a visit to the op shop is about more than just thrifting a bargain. Amongst the vibrancy of the shop mornings, the congregation have set up a table and chairs under the shade of the beautiful cashew tree. On opening days when there’s a supply minister like Bob in placement they will often be found seated at the ‘listening table’ reading a book with a cuppa, ready to sit and chat with whoever wants to, whether it be for some company, or for those seeking pastoral care.
The congregation through the outreach of the op shop have become a reliable source of support and resources, as well as a gathering place for wider community.
100 Year Anniversary Celebrations
To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the opening of the unique building that houses the Broome Uniting Church, and 116 years of ministry in Broome, an evening of celebration will take place on Saturday 29 August 2026, followed by worship on Sunday morning 30 August 2026.
Those with connections to the founders of the church, past ministers, past and current congregational members are invited to attend.
Please note that these events will coincide with the Shinju Matsuri Festival Friday 21 August to Sunday 6 September 2026 so early planning of travel and accommodation is advised. For more information contact Broome Uniting Church [email protected]
Article and photos by Wendy Hendry, Executive Officer: Communications, Uniting Church WA.
Special thanks to Michael Lake, Chairperson of the Broome Uniting Church and local historian, for the tour and sharing the story of the church and op shop, and to Rev Bob & Marilyn Smith, Supply Minister, and Bette Lake and Marilyn for their warm welcome.
Historical information sourced from ‘A brief history of the Broome Uniting Church Anne Street’ by Joyce Hudson, available on the Broome Uniting Church website – https://broome.unitingchurch.org.au/the-history-of-broome-uniting-church/