Our place could be your place
We invite you to join us as we worship together every Sabbath (Saturday) morning.
First Main Church Service, 8am
Church is a time where we can unite together, gather strength from the Word of God and learn more about God. Our early service starts at 8am in the Main Church.
Small Group Bible Study (Sabbath School), 9:30am
Sabbath school is a time where we can discuss the teachings of the Bible and socialise with each other.
Children, Teens and Youth (Sabbath School), 9:30am
We have classes catering for all age groups that help children, teens and youth develop their relationship with Jesus in a fun and engaging way. Our classes include Beginners (for parents with infants 0-2 yrs), Kindergarten (ages 3-5), Primary (ages 6-9), Teens (ages 10-15) and Youth (ages 16 – 25).
Second Main Church Service, 11am
Our second Main Church Service starts at 11am in the Main Church after Sabbath School.
The EMP Church Mission
Contributing to the community to make the world a better place through our acts and behaviour.
Enabling hope and reducing despair through Church and community.
The EMP Church Vision
To become a centre of excellence in the acquisition, development and sustainability of membership for the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the Great Commission.
The EMP Church Manifesto
We have a place where we can go,
Where we can forget our troubles and woes
Where everyone is caring and helpful and,
Where you realise that it doesn’t matter
Because it will be better and
That there is a better place.
My friends are an eclectic mix of
Professionals, tradies and ordinary folk who;
Miss me when they don’t see me,
Are constantly looking to improve things,
For self and for others,
Enjoy fellowship and developing interests,
Have acquired the skill of friendship,
Are available seven days a week and
Everyone is open and trusting,
Love food and eat healthy, most of the time.
You should come to meet my friends, bring the kids
You’ll love my place
It’s the EMP SDA Church
Our history
1930s – In the early 1930s the members met at the Bamboos opposite the present Kmart at Sunnybank.
The Eight Mile Plains Seventh-day Adventist Church was opened in 1952 and has experienced rapid growth ever since. In 1961 our Church became too small for our church family and further land was purchased to accommodate the expansion of the church building. In 1985 work started on the church we still use today and the original church is now used as the Life Development Centre.
While we have experienced much change and growth in our history, our Christian values, passion for outreach and family-friendly, welcoming nature have stayed a core part of our Church and we look forward to sharing this with you!
1942 – This group continued until 1942 when Sherwood church opened.
1944-1952 – As numbers increased members went to the United Protestant Church to meet on Millers Road EMP from about 1944 to 1952.
1948-1949 – During 1948 and in 1949 Bro Stan Harker and Hec Robinson began searching for land to build a church.
a) Two blocks were bought but it was too far down London Road, they thought. The blocks were bought for ₤10.
b) Another two blocks were bought, which are the present blocks. The other two were sold for ₤90.
c) And could be bought from John Burke – 10 building blocks for ₤200, 40 acres for ₤2,000.
1951 – The church, which is the present hall, was built by Bro Bill Lewis of Sherwood in 1951.
1952 – It was opened in 1952 by Pastor Grieve who was the Conference President. Pastor Eric Hare was at the opening. Bro Job Becket was Senior Elder. Membership was 39.
The original church had a partition between the main church area, about a quarter of the church now vacant land.
1961 – Because the church became too small for our needs it was decided to negotiate for a small piece of land adjacent, owned by Paul’s Ice Cream Company. This block was bought for ₤750 in 1961. Bro Keith Adair, manager of SHF was able to use his influence to buy it.
1964 – Extension No 1, November 1964 cost ₤615 to build – size 24’ x 30’.
1966 – Extension No 2, October 1966 cost $1,500.
1980 – In August 1980, four blocks of ground were purchased from the Brisbane City Council for $33,328.
Further Development
1973 – In April 1973 Bro Alec Ransom reported missionary activity at Carbrook. During the year another group separated to form the Carbrook Company.
1976 – Again in 1976 another group separated to form the Park Ridge Company.
1980 – The church was still growing and again, because of the overcrowding, two services began to operate from September 1980 – one service at 8am and the other at 11am.
1985 – In September 1985 the land was cleared for the building of the new church. Footings were poured in December 1985.
Today we see the finished product, but the work of God is not finished.
Church Expansion
With the opening of the Mt Gravatt Adventist Primary School and later the Mt Gravatt Adventist High School, the Eight Mile Plains Church grew considerably.
It was suggested by some of the members that the church, as counseled by the servant of the Lord, Bro Noel Russell and others the instigators.
1972 – July – August 1972, 20 of our members transferred their names to the Conference Church and a Company was formed at Kingston. This later became Springwood.
Land was purchased at Springwood about this time.