MCC Brisbane began as Christ Community Church in 1974. It was renamed Metropolitan Community Church Brisbane and became part of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC) after the visit of Rev. Elder Troy Perry in 1975. MCC Brisbane was started more than 40 years ago and we pray that you will be another page in the history of God’s plan for our church.

MCC Brisbane is part of a wider movement of Christians who are passionate about inclusion. MCC was started in the living room of a man called Troy Perry in 1968 in Los Angeles. He started MCC on a simple principle. God’s love and a relationship with Jesus should be open to all and especially those from the LBGTI community who have known so much rejection.

Since its foundation in 1968 by Troy Perry, the international movement known as Metropolitan Community Churches has grown to over 43,000 members, with adherents in almost 300 congregations in 22 countries. Read Rev Troy Perry’s story here.

MCC’s prophetic witness has forever changed the face of Christianity and helped to forward the international movement for LGBTIQ rights and equality. MCC Brisbane has always played an influential role, for example through its participation in lobbying and demonstrating for law reform; and in the organisation of major LGBTIQ activities, such as World AIDS Day, Brisbane Pride events and the Stonewall Commemorative service.

Recent Pastors

Rev Ivor Holmans occupied the roles of Worship Coordinator and Pastoral Leader continuously from June 1982 until he was licensed as clergy in February 1995. Ivor was then Pastor of MCC Brisbane until May 2003.

Rev Tim Collier succeeded Ivor from May 2003 to May 2004, when health problems forced his early retirement.

In November 2004 Rev Anne James was appointed as Pastor, with her life-partner Rev Iris Saggers as Assistant Pastor. Anne was ordained in August 2000, and had previously held the position of Assistant Pastor of MCC Brisbane while working in the Rockhampton Outreach. Before coming to Rockhampton in August 2002, Iris was an Assistant Pastor at MCC Auckland NZ. Iris was licensed as clergy in August 1994.

Rev Leigh Neighbour led the church for about 7 years, along with husband Dennis Moran. They met at the MCC church in Auckland, New Zealand, in January 1980. They celebrated their marriage in Auckland in January 2014. During Rev Leigh’s leadership, the church grew numerically and spiritually. Rev Leigh retired in June 2015 and was appointed as Pastor Emeritus for MCC Brisbane.

Pastor David Coltheart, along with his husband, John Plank, accepted the role of interim pastor of MCC Brisbane in August 2015, soon after the church moved from Cordelia Street, West End, to the Merthyr Road Uniting Church in New Farm. Before joining MCC Brisbane, David had 30 years’ ministry experience as a pastor and evangelist with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. David and John travelled down from their home on the Sunshine Coast each Sunday to lead the church in both social activities and worship services, as well as making other trips during the week to provide pastoral care. Over the following months, attendance at Sunday services tripled. David and John retired from regular employment at the beginning of 2016 to focus on the ministry of MCC Brisbane.

David introduced a ‘pastoral care team’ to help with the needs of the rapidly growing and diverse congregation. He also organised participation in the annual Pride march and Fair Day held at New Farm Park. David’s ministry coincided with the effort to enact marriage equality in Australia, and David took an active role in lobbying politicians and community members. On behalf of all MCC churches in Australia, David wrote the official submission to the Senate enquiry into legislative amendments for marriage equality and appeared before a parliamentary committee.

David encouraged regular social activities. Usually held once month, these included picnics and barbecues held at Kangaroo Point, dinners at popular restaurants, walks up Mt Coot-tha and a bus trip to the Kondalilla Falls on the Sunshine Coast. On several occasions, the whole church was invited to David and John’s home for lunches and celebrations, and their home was always open for individuals and smaller groups to visit.

David facilitated a pastoral search committee which resulted in MCC Brisbane voting to fund a paid, part-time pastor for the first time. The committee recommended Rev Alex Pittaway as the new pastor, who took on the role in July 2018. David and John retain their membership at MCC Brisbane and still attend worship services.

Pastor Alex Pittaway was ordained and installed as Pastor of MCC Brisbane in July 2018 and Pastored the congregation for 3 years. In May 2021 he resigned due to health reasons and returned to Sydney to be closer to family.

In August 2021, the MCC Brisbane membership voted to confirm Dr Denise Powell as the Church’s interim pastoral leader and confirmed her as pastor in November 2022 following another vote of the membership.

Locations

MCC Brisbane has held regular worship services at various locations around Brisbane. We are thankful for past support of other denominations and organisations such as the Religious Society of Friends and the Anglican Church for use of their venues and to GLWA for the period of time we shared premises at the “Rainbow Centre” at Wolloongabba. For several years we met at Cowlishaw House, at 37 Cordelia Street, South Brisbane.

In mid-2015, the church moved to New Farm, an inner suburb of Brisbane and now meets in the Uniting Church at 52 Merthyr Road, New Farm. Our services at 6:00 pm each Sunday feature contemporary music, preaching and a Communion service that is open to everybody. 

Ministry

MCC Brisbane today moves courageously beyond the confines of what is accepted by the majority, and touches the lives of those in need. We believe that God is continually working to reconcile the world with the divine ideal. This encourages us to build an inclusive community that celebrates the diversity of God’s creation.

MCC Brisbane has always been enveloped in a spirit of hope. We will continue to grow and carry the message of God’s unconditional love, especially to the LGBTIQ community of Queensland.

 

Last updated Nov 2023