Long history of community connection at Grace C&K

For almost 60 years, Grace Lutheran Creche and Kindergarten has been a central part of the Redcliffe Peninsula community.

It started humbly in November 1966, as a child-minding centre in a little cottage beside the church in McNaughton St, Redcliffe.

Its purpose was to provide a service to mothers while they shopped or worked. Pastor Joe Stolz had seen the need in the community and with the help of his wife, Lorraine, began the service with opening hours of 8.30am-5pm.

Volunteers from the Lutheran church Ladies Guild provided the care for up to nine children at this time, for 20 cents per day.

By 1968, Mrs Stolz was Director and Mrs Eyleen Lee her assistant, with two nursing aids, six rostered assistants from the Ladies Guild and a kindergarten teacher who introduced an educational program.

Some children were even picked up in the morning and returned home bathed and changed in the afternoon. The women loved and cared for the children like their own.

The need for childcare grew and a new brick building, replacing the small cottage, was built (at a cost of $27,000) and opened in February 1970.

A meeting in October 1971 determined that all childcare workers should be paid. The contribution of the church volunteers during the first five years had greatly assisted financially, and by 1974, the debt on the building was cleared.

Further growth and development of the centre and its long-standing reputation for outstanding Christian care over nearly 60 years has ensured Grace C & K’s place in the hearts and history books of the Redcliffe Peninsula and the Lutheran Church.

It was the first of the educational ‘Grace Places’, helping to pave the way for the establishment of Grace Lutheran Primary School and ultimately Grace Lutheran College, to provide a continuous Christian education to children from six months to 18 years of age on the Peninsula.

Now all these years later, childcare on the Redcliffe Peninsula has changed considerably, with more than 17 centres providing care for babies and young children every day.

This, along with changing demographics and other considerations, has prompted the decision to close Grace C&K on December 18, 2024. The site will be sold.

A spokesperson says: “We are confident in the knowledge that Grace Creche and Kindergarten has been a blessing to the local community as thousands of children have experienced and heard the message of God’s love for them over all these years, and that God will continue to guide and bless the children, families and staff as they move to new centres and experiences.

“Glory be to God for His provision of people and resources to enable this crucial ministry to children and families over all these years.”

Service Leader Julie Smith has been at Grace C&K for seven years and says families and the community have made it special.

Multiple generations of the same family have attended, forging a strong connection with the Peninsula community.

Julie is grateful to the team of educators who have provided quality care during the centre’s history.

“It’s been an honour to work with them. They’ve been a great team ... the time and effort they’ve put into Grace ... it’s made Grace what it is,” she says.

These long-time staff members have included Glenis James, who worked at Grace C&K for more than 35 years before retiring about two years ago, and Liza Newton who has worked there for about 22 years.

Flashback ... see the photo gallery below

Photos courtesy of Grace Creche and Kindergarten