College History
The story of Brisbane Christian College begins with the story of Life Church.
In 1956, eight teenagers and their Sunday school teachers from Glad Tidings Tabernacle led by pioneers Frank and Estelle Fulwood stepped out in faith to begin a tent outreach called Children’s Happy Hour in Coopers Plains.
In 1967, Henry and Anne Baskerville started a regular Sunday morning service, which was later led by Pastor Harold Bartholomew. This gathering was originally launched as Southside Christian Renewal Centre and later became the church family we now know as Life Church. In 1975, Pastors Chris and Carol Peterson became Senior Pastors, continuing to build on that strong foundation of faith and community.
By the late 1970s, the congregation had outgrown its humble beginnings in Coopers Plains, not far from where the College’s Pre-Prep Centre now stands. For a time, services were held in the Salisbury State High School auditorium, a providential choice, as no one could have known that the very site where the church once worshipped would one day become the home for Life Church’s Sunday services and Brisbane Christian College’s Middle & Secondary Campus at 63 Fairlie Terrace. In 1979, the Church congregation opened its new building at Golda Avenue, Salisbury, marking a new season of growth.
A School is Born (1985)
Out of the church’s heart for Christian education, led by Pastor Chris Peterson, Southside Christian College (now Brisbane Christian College) officially opened on 14 April 1985. Classes were held in the Church auditorium on the Golda Avenue site with just fourteen children in Years 1–4 under the leadership of Pastor Clyde Marbach as Acting Principal and Miss Christina Watt as the first teacher. The school began with limited resources but enormous faith, built on the conviction that God’s truth should shape every lesson and every life.
Growing in Faith (1986–1995)
Under Principals Phillip Moore and Peter Bancroft, the College grew from 36 children in its second year to more than 300 within a decade. During this time, the College sought to purchase adjoining land but was initially denied. Through the persistence of Alan Mullaly from Christian Community Schools Queensland and Pastor John Lewis, approval was granted. This was a powerful testimony of God’s provision.
By 1992, the College had expanded to include Years 11 and 12 and had become known for its Christcentred learning, dedicated staff and strong sense of community.
Building and Expansion (1996–2025)
Through the late 1990s and 2000s, Principal Graeme Johnston strengthened the College’s programs and faith foundation, followed by Rob Guthrie as Interim Principal, who led with steadiness and grace during a season of transition. Under the leadership of Pastors Geoff and Lee Blight (2002–present) and Principal Sean Morrison (2011–present), the Church and College entered a new era with the purchase of Fairlie Terrace in 2015: the former Salisbury/Nyanda State High School site. A new Life Church Auditorium and Middle & Secondary Campus opened in 2016 . Meanwhile, the Golda Avenue Primary Campus continued to flourish and the Pre-Prep Centre at Rookwood Avenue remained a treasured part of the College’s story.
Forty Years of God’s Faithfulness
With the continued passion and vision for Christian Education from Life Church Oversight and Lead Pastors over four decades, Brisbane Christian College has grown from a handful of children in borrowed rooms to a thriving, multi-campus community serving more than 1,200 young people. Today, around 1,500 people call Life Church home, continuing the same heartbeat of faith and service that began nearly sixty years ago.
What began in a tent has become a legacy of faith-filled education, a testimony to God’s goodness and the vision of those who believed that education could be ministry.
Psalm 145:4 (NLT) Let each generation tell its children of Your mighty acts; let them proclaim Your power.