Christian Brethren (1947 - )

More Information [close]

The Christian Brethren in Western Australia ran Kurrawang Mission (1952-1984) and its Pukulari cottage in Burt Street, Kalgoorlie (Boulder).

The Christian Brethren in Kalgoorlie who established Kurrawang first came together in April 1947 as a small group of Christians who were associated with a movement known as the Gospel Assemblies. By 1948, they had two Sunday Schools in Kalgoorlie and open air meetings were held in the town. In February 1948, Mr and Mrs Will Sharpe had arrived in Kalgoorlie from New South Wales, and they broadcast gospel messages through amplifiers attached to their caravan. In 1952, Mr Sharpe was appointed as superintendent of the Kurrawang Mission and the Department of Native Affairs reported that the Gospel Assemblies were undergoing some changes. In the 1955 report by the Commissioner of Native Welfare, the group was known as the Gospel Brotherhood. It later became known as the Christian Brethren.

Although the Christian Brethren had withdrawn from management of Kurrawang by 1984, a connection between the Kurrawang Aboriginal Christian Community that was established there remained.

The Christian Brethren in 2013 had become part of the Christian Community Churches of Australia.