Thomas H. BATES

BATES, THOMAS H (b. c.1850) Pioneer Churches of Christ evangelist in Western Australia.

The establishment of the Restoration Movement in Western Australia was first discussed at the SA Conference of the Churches of Christ in 1889 under the chairmanship of T H Bates. The matter was referred to an Intercolonial Conference in Melbourne that same year and it was decided that the time had arrived 'for planting the church in Western Australia'.

However the task of securing a suitable man to undertake such a challenge proved to be a difficult one and a year passed with no appointment. Thomas Bates had been giving much thought to the matter and, after consultation with the committee, offered himself for the task.

In the Pioneer it was written of him 'He is well known and has laboured with some of the principal churches with much success. In the prime of life and the enjoyment of robust health, and with 20 years' experience as an Australian preacher, he should be well fitted for so important a work'. With the committee's endorsement he wrote in the Christian Standard. 'It is my intention to proceed to Western Australia and lay the foundation for future effort'.

Churches of Christ were fortunate in having T H Bates as the first evangelist in Western Australia. He possessed an optimistic spirit and showed drive and initiative in a pioneering enterprise which needed all of those attributes. A man of courage, he was not daunted by the size and difficulties of the undertaking but strong in faith, saw the need of the young colony and its possibilities for the gospel. At the end of 1894, when a number of Churches of Christ had become established in WA, Bro Bates accepted an invitation to England where he engaged in further successful ministry.

Gordon A Ewers, A Century of Worship and Witness (Perth, nd)

GORDON A EWERS