Joyful News Mission Hall (former)

The fire came at a particularly bad time for the church, when the entire nation was gripped by the effects of the Great Depression. Those hardest hit by the depression often sought solace in the church. Thus the Joyful News congregation was anxious to rebuild as soon and as inexpensively as possible. Plans were immediately put into place to build a humble timber hall and approximately 40 workers volunteered to undertake the building work to minimise the cost. This reduced the church's debt from £600 to just £173. In the meantime regular services were held in the Masonic Temple opposite and the Christmas Service took place in the Diamantina Hospital. The new church was opened for service in 1932.

As well as providing spiritual comfort during the difficult depression years, the Joyful News Mission provided families in need with food parcels and clothing. Between 1931 and 1946, the Mission handed out 24,834 items of clothing, and assisted 5,351 needy families.

Although rapid suburbanisation in the early twentieth century had caused the residential population of Fortitude Valley to decline by the 1930s, there was still a considerable residential population in this and surrounding suburbs. Private car ownership was still very low in the 1930s, so those who attended church in the Valley either walked from their nearby homes, or caught public transport.

The Joyful News Mission was founded in 1896 by Mr H.M. Todd as an independent and undenominational religious association. Its aims were to preach the Gospel, give spiritual help and advice and to assist the poor and needy. Branches were established in Fortitude Valley, Breakfast Creek and Spring Hill. The Valley Branch commemorated 50 years of service in 1946.

In 1983 the Joyful News Mission ceased to operate from this building, and the Wesleyan Methodist Church purchased the property. In the early 1990s the church became known as the Tongan Wesleyan Methodist, reflecting the growing numbers of Tongan people in Brisbane. The building continues to provide a place of worship and fellowship for families from scattered parts of Brisbane. 

This is the only remaining timber church in Fortitude Valley.  The only other church built in Fortitude Valley during the 1930s was the Glad Tidings Tabernacle, a much more substantial masonry building. The other remaining Valley churches were built during the 1870s and 1880s and are also substantial masonry buildings.

1. Brisbane Courier, 3 October 1914

2. Brisbane Courier, 28 November, 1931

3. Brisbane Courier, 19 December, 1931

4. Joyful News Mission Pamphlet Commemorating Fifty Years Service to the People of the Valley 1896-1946, 1946, The Mission, Brisbane