Our History

The Christian Reformed Church Sutherland Shire (CRCSS) is one of 50 congregations established across all Australian states by the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia (CRCA) since 1951. The CRCA is a member of the Protestant – Calvinist (that is, Reformed and Presbyterian) wing of the Christian Church.

This denomination is part of a family of Reformed and Presbyterian Churches that have spread worldwide. These churches trace their roots back to the establishment of the Church at the time of Jesus, and through the Protestant Reformation – a 16th-century movement in church and society led by figures such as Martin Luther and John Calvin. As such, we share an important part of the history and beliefs of the whole Christian Church.

Migration brought the Reformed Churches to North America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Mission work further spread the Reformed faith to Asia and other parts of the world.

The aftermath of World War II led many people to migrate from devastated Europe to Australia. Those who were committed to the Biblical truths of the Protestant Reformation found many of Australia’s Protestant churches had departed from their Reformational roots. In late 1951, some of these migrants decided to establish a church denomination in their new homeland.

In 1952, the newly formed denomination held its first Synod and chose the name "Reformed Churches of Australia." This name reflected both the significance and independence of each local congregation, while also expressing their commitment to cooperate as a united denomination. Their Church Order was adapted from that of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, from which they also sourced their first hymnbook and Catechism materials.

The Reformed Church of Sutherland was instituted in 1960, and the first service was held at the Sutherland School of Arts Building. In 1991, we moved to our current building in Barden Ridge and our name changed from Reformed Church of Sutherland to Reformed Church of Sutherland Shire.

After the denomination changed its name from the Reformed Churches of Australia to the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia (CRCA) in 2000, our church name became the Christian Reformed Church Sutherland Shire. In 2010, we celebrated our 50th anniversary as a church with a thanksgiving dinner. In January 2025 Rev Albert Couperus was installed and serves as our 8th minister.