Karratha Baptist Church is celebrating a significant milestone this month, marking 50 years since it was officially founded on July 18, 1976.

The anniversary highlights five decades of faith, community service, and resilience in one of Australia’s most transient regional towns.

Over the years, the church has provided a welcoming space where people can meet for coffee, take part in craft activities, receive practical support during difficult times, access counselling and guidance, and enjoy fellowship and friendship.

Pastor Nick Bekker who has led the church for the past nine months said celebrating 50 years was a milestone in the context of how long Karratha has been around for.

“I don’t think there are many institutions in Karratha that are 50 years old,” he said.

“The town itself is only about 60 years old, so for the church to still be here after all these years really says something.

“We think it’s pretty special.”

Last month, the church celebrated the milestone, as about 100 people attended a formal dinner, including founding members as well as former pastors and long-time members.

A free community celebration followed on Saturday afternoon, featuring a bouncy castle, food vans, face painting and live music, attracting families and community members.

The celebrations concluded with a Sunday worship service attended by at least 250 people.

“It was a wonderful reunion,” the pastor said.

“Some of those people hadn’t seen each other for 40 or 50 years so it was a really special weekend.”

Mr Bekker said over the past 50 years the biggest challenge for the church had been Karratha’s transient workforce.

“Most people come here in order to leave,” he said.

“They come to make their money in mining and then they go.

“It’s almost like working in an airport departure lounge because you’re constantly greeting people as they arrive and saying goodbye as they leave.”

Before the church was built, early members gathered in the Faulkner and Jumeaux homes in Roebourne on Sunday mornings, celebrating communion every week.

Early members later met in the original school hall before members built a pastor’s residence and in the early 1980s began constructing the existing building.

Mr Bekker said rather than employing contractors, the church was built entirely by volunteers.

“People donated the bricks, steel and their time,” he said.

“Blokes would turn up on Saturdays and build, and it took about 11 months because everyone just mucked in together”.

Karratha Baptist Church also has multiple kids’ ministries with four separate programs for children spanning from those in kindy to Year 6.

Every second week the church also runs a program after the church service for those in Years 7 to 12.

Once a month, on a Friday evening, they additionally run Club 46 for kids from the community in Years 4, 5 and 6, and on Wednesday evenings there are meetings for young adults.

Mr Bekker said he hoped the church would continue to thrive.

“We would love to be here in another 50 years,” he said.

“When everyone’s here on a Sunday morning we’re actually bursting at the seams, so we’d like to extend the building, grow our ministries and continue faithfully serving the people of Karratha.”