The Peoples Place is a community project, a public venue and home for various faith communities in Flemington, Melbourne.

We care for some of the area oldest buildings which continue to be used for their original purpose in our culturally and socially diverse, heritage area.

We were started by Fred ‘Dad’ Mathews in 1886 who put an advertisement in the local paper calling for

‘a cause in our neighbourhood’

from his humble lounge room to our current buildings which were to become known as Newmarket Baptist Church, the ‘cause’ today remains the same and as different as the locality itself.

After 130 years of local engagement with an emphasis of youth and families, food and multiculturalism, the church was reshaped as a community centre and today hosts many different groups and activities important for the health and wellbeing of our neighbourhood.

Its Food Hall, Meeting Room and Sanctuary spaces are available for community use and hire as a means of continuing old Fred’s cause…

Weekly Groups

The Flemington People’s Pantry: Multicultural Food Swap
‘See’ Employment Education Program by WCIG Western Community Initiatives Group
No Lights No Lycra: Community Dance
Warplings: Role-play and Table Gaming
‘Tiny Tunes’ Playgroup
‘Peoples Prayers’ A Christian Prayer Gathering
Hope Romanian Baptist Church

Occasional: Kids Parties, Meetings and local events such as ‘Beer and Carols’ at the Quiet Man Irish Pub

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place

“if the word community is to mean or amount to anything , it must refer to a place (in its natural integrity) and its people. it must refer to a placed people.” – wendell berry

For us such ‘placed people’ include…

The Wurundjeri of the Kulin nation (Acts 17: 26-27)

Alfred ‘Dad’ Mathews who placed the advertisement in the local paper for “ a cause in our neighbourhood”.

Mrs Meyer who’s young women’s’ group taught life skills and raised funds for locals during the 1930’s depression.

Joseph and Licia Ciampa who travelled from Italy to start the first Italian baptist speaking church in Victoria in the post-war 1950‘s.

Betty Lynch (our oldest member) who has supported multicultural children’s and community food programs with local public housing estate residents since the 1980’s.

So what about now and what about you?

partner

We welcome friends and partners to participate in our shared life as:

friends through online or occasional connection, with a focus on former members or non-local supporters.

volunteers who join us are in the work of our neighbourhood causes

faith community members Members of our People’s Place faith community run

Peoples Prayer, (a simple Christian prayer gathering Sunday’s 4.30-6pm)
The Flemington People’s Pantry,
Tiny Tunes Playgroup
various local public events through the year such as ‘Beer and Carols’ and host the community centre.

We are a missional community of Essendon Baptist Community Church and custodians of the buildings on behalf of Baptist Union of Victoria.

12 Brighton Street, Flemington, Victoria 3031

email: marcus.curnow@gmail.com
The Prayer Gallery, Spanish Lounge & People’s Food Hall spaces are available for public hire.

‘a cause in our neighbourhood’

place

partner

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