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$7.50 + $1.10 post in Australia Orders and other publications |
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Became Baptist at South Parade Baptist Church, Leeds Trained Horton/Rawdon College Pastored at Salford Lancs., Bishop Burton Yorks., Tipton Staffs. Shipwrecked in Indian Ocean on voyage to Australia |
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Third Pastor at Australia's Founding Church (Bathurst St, now Central, Baptist Church, Sydney Elected First President, Baptist Union of NSW Strategic Church Planter - Hinton, Bathurst Orange |
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"Father of Baptists" in Queensland, Honoured Guide and Advisor Performed first baptisms in Brisbane Consulted with first Baptist Church and saved it for the future Influenced Rev. B.G. Wilson to come to Brisbane & close friend First President, Baptist Union of Qld Sent founding members to Ipswich, Maryborough & Rockhampton Pioneer pastor & leader of Enoggera, Sandgate & Taringa Churches |
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Mr Voller visited Brisbane in the Moreton Bay district several times during his Sydney pastorate to provide vital guidance to the struggling church there, several of whom had been in his Sydney church. Because of his deep interest and help, he became known as "the father of Brisbane Baptists." He performed the first baptisms for the church in Queensland. He was instrumental in the appointment of Rev. B.G. Wilson under whose ministry the City Tabernacle (then Wharf St) church flourished. Mr Voller was also keenly interested in the witness of several other of his members who commenced a church in the northern port of Rockhampton. His influence was also felt in at least 2 other Queensland churches. After serving 14 years in Sydney, Voller developed a severe throat infection which required a year's rest and treatment in England. In 1870, still not cured, he resigned his Sydney pastorate and moved to Brisbane where he joined up with the Wharf St church that he had helped so many times before. He pioneered the Enoggera church and then served a 10 year part time pastorate at Sandgate. He was the first president of the Baptist Union of Queensland in 1877. After a brief period of residence in Sydney again, he returned to Brisbane, selecting the Taringa area as his place of residence. Here, with others, he commenced the Taringa church. |
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Several of Mr and Mrs Voller's large family also settled in the Taringa area. Many of their grandchildren attended Taringa State School. Mr and Mrs Voller remained at Taringa until their deaths in 1901 and 1902. A plaque in Mr Voller's honour occupies a prominent place in the Taringa church. Many of their family remained in the area. His son Walter
C. Voller was a well known architect. The original Taringa church
building, erected in 1891 was designed by him. He also represented
Queensland in cricket, was a member of the Union Athletic Club
and was a skilled photographer. Several other family members
have followed in the same profession. Another descendant, Rev.
David Voller, was an Anglican minister. |
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Almost 200 people were present at Taringa Baptist Church,
Brisbane, Queensland on Sunday October 19, 1997 for the launching
of a book about a pioneer Baptist minister who was shipwrecked
on his way to Australia in 1853. Twenty members of the Voller family were present for the book launching which was part of the centenary of the Taringa Church, the last of the churches with which Mr Voller was involved. Voller family members travelled from as far as Western Australia, Melbourne and Sydney for the occasion. A great-grandson, Anglican clergyman Rev. David Voller participated in the luncheon and was joined by other family members in giving reminiscences. Other visitors represented churches linked with James Voller and past members and friends of the Taringa Church. The 60 page fully illustrated book on James Voller was written by Dr David Parker of Brisbane, and launched by Dr S.W. Nickerson, Principal of the Queensland Baptist College. It was published by the Baptist Historical Society of Queensland. Dr Nickerson was also the guest speaker for the centenary service. During the thanksgiving service, Mrs Helen Smith, President Elect of the Baptist Union of Queensland also launched a centenary history of the Taringa Church. It was written by Mr Eric Kopittke, President of the Baptist Historical Society and formerly a deacon of the church. Mr and Mrs Kopittke, who are prominent members of the Family History Society of Queensland, also contributed genealogical information for the James Voller book. |