The Australian Burmese Christian Church (ABCC) has always had a heart for mission. For many years that mission was lived out in hired community halls across Perth before the church bought its first building in Oats Street, Carlisle. That building served the congregation for eight years and provided a stable base after decades of moving from hall to hall.
Growth brought new pressures. Sunday school expanded. Youth ministry increased. Space tightened. The church had no dedicated youth room and leaders began praying about the possibility of a larger site.
Early enquiries with lenders were discouraging. Banks struggled to assess a church’s income model and could not confirm even a modest loan. Seven properties were inspected and none were viable within the church’s budget.
But hope arrived in an unexpected way. During a family visit in Melbourne, Annie Pray – a long-time member and the church’s secretary – learned her aunt and uncle’s church, Melbourne Myanmar Christian Fellowship, had secured support from Christian Finance to complete their building project. She returned home with a contact name and number and with a sense of possibility.
Annie made an appointment with Shelley Bartels at Christian Finance. The team had been praying and kept expectations real, after so many setbacks. Shelley reviewed the church’s financial position, understood how the ministry operated, and recognised that the project was achievable.
At the same time, a heritage church in North Perth remained on the market. Listed at $3.5 million earlier in the year, it had not sold and the price had dropped to $2.95 million. ABCC secured a sale of its Carlisle property for $1.2 million, and with Christian Finance’s support, the path to purchase was cleared.
That property at 129 Raglan Road has been a place of worship since 1912. Its previous pastor expressed a strong desire for it to remain a church, and although he passed away shortly before settlement, that hope has been honoured. Today ABCC holds three services across Burmese, English and Karen congregations, welcoming between 150 and 200 people including children and youth.
The building is full of character and heritage features. Renovations are underway and being completed gradually to manage costs. The site includes a traditional sanctuary, mezzanine level, youth room, two Sunday school rooms, a kitchen and attic storage – a significant step forward from the limited facilities at the previous location.
For Annie and the church, the journey has been a clear example of God’s provision and the value of working with partners who understand how churches operate. “Christian Finance knew our ministry, our structure and our heart,” she said. “They understood what we were trying to do.”