The seeds of Rockingham Baptist Church were planted in 1962, when Reverend Gordon Freeman, of South Como Baptist Church, was called to Rockingham to meet with two people in spiritual need. From this meeting, a connection was established with a local resident Mrs. Jose, and with the assistance of East Fremantle Baptist Church, a prayer and Bible study group began in her home in Rockingham.
The Rockingham Baptist Fellowship was formed in 1970. Regular Sunday services began in the Library Hall on Kent Street. The fellowship grew, as did the heart of the people to join with other Baptists in the State and Commonwealth to spread the Gospel throughout the world. Rockingham Baptist Church (RBC) was formally constituted on 5th August 1972 with 26 foundational members.
Sunday meetings moved to McClarty Hall, Shoalwater. In 1980, the church built its own building at Willmot Drive, Cooloongup. In 1986, RBC sold the church building and land to the Salvation Army. It was then the current RBC was built on the land at Lot 2, Gnangara Drive, Waikiki.
“The future is in God’s hands, and we all realise that as we trust Him and make ourselves available to Him, we can confidently expect to make a worthwhile spiritual impact in this district.” - From the Statement by the Secretary at the Constituting Ceremony of Rockingham Baptist Church.
We are forever thankful to those early church families and pioneers that faithfully listened to God for the vision and financial sacrifice that birthed the church and school complex we enjoy.
The idea of starting a school as a ministry of Rockingham Baptist Church began in April 1983. The concept was approved at a Church Members Meeting on 29th February 1984, and the school opened on 11th February 1985, at the Safety Bay Scout Hall with 43 primary school children.
It was decided the school would be named Maranatha Christian Community School meaning ‘Our Lord Come’. The name ‘Maranatha’ reflected the intention of educating students in line with Rockingham Baptist Church’s faith and Christ-centred beliefs.
In August 1986, the church members agreed to sell their church building and purchase 3.64 hectares of land with the intention of building a new church building and developing a school facility. Within one month $42,000 was raised from among the church members.
Construction of the church and school began in 1986/1987.
Maranatha moved into the Gnangara Drive, Waikiki campus in February 1988.
Today, the school is known as South Coast Baptist College and has grown to over 1300 students. We have a wonderful college community and we're so grateful to the founding members of the church for the opportunity to shine the light of Jesus in Rockingham.