About York Street Church of Christ in Ballarat
Inviting anyone in Ballarat and surrounding areas to find faith, community, and love.
At York Street, we believe church is more than just a place to go — it’s a family to belong to. Whether you’re new to faith, searching for community, or looking for a place to grow, you’re welcome here!
We are a family-focused church where people of all ages can experience God’s love, be encouraged in their faith, and find meaningful connections. With uplifting worship, Bible-based teaching, and programs for kids, youth, and adults, there’s something for everyone.
We’d love to meet you! Join us this Sunday and be part of a warm, welcoming community where you can belong, grow, and thrive.
Meet the York Street team
Tim Walter — Senior Pastor
Tim has followed Christ all his life and is passionate about God, family, and ministry. With over 20 years in children’s and family ministry and eight years in senior leadership, he now leads York Street. He loves developing leaders, building the church, and serving alongside his wife, Evette, and their three children.
Email: walter.tim@yorkst.com.au
Geoff Manton — Operations Manager
A lifelong follower of Christ, Geoff’s faith in loving, living, and forgiving God is the bedrock that informed 35 years of leadership across secular and faith-based organisations in Boards and in CEO, National, State, and General Management roles around Australia.
Geoff brings his gifts of leadership, administration, and governance to support the Elders, Pastors, Missions, and Ministry teams of York Street.
Email: manton.geoff@yorkst.com.au
Liam Jarrott — Associate Pastor Youth and Young Adults
Having been raised in a Christian family, Liam has grown up as a passionate follower of Jesus with a massive heart for the next generation to encounter Christ. The call to pastoral ministry was evident from his late teenage years, where he began serving in kids ministry before moving into youth and young adults post high school. This led him to completing a Bachelor of Ministry at Planetshakers college while employed as a youth ministry assistant in the years to follow. Having moved to Ballarat, Liam brings a passion to see young people transformed, equipped, and released into being the next generation of the Church.
Email: jarrott.liam@yorkst.com.au
Jenny Fulcher — Children’s Pastor
Having grown up in a Christian home, Jenny can’t remember a time where Christ wasn’t part of her life. This belief and faith have grown into what are now her own beliefs as she follows Jesus through all seasons and strives to share His love with those around her. God has placed in Jenny a love and passion for children and families, and after a short time as a Primary School Teacher, she began volunteering in leadership positions within the church beginning with preschool ministry. This led Jenny to re-visit her passion for all children as she returned to study Children’s and Families Ministry through Stirling Theological College, which led her into this incredible role as Children’s Pastor.
Jenny brings her teaching background, leadership skills, and passion to reach others into her role here at York Street while sharing God’s love and hope to children and families.
Email: fulcher.jenny@yorkst.com.au
Alyssa Stanton — Small Groups and Pastoral Care Coordinator
Alyssa has been a devoted follower of Christ for the past ten years after giving her life to Jesus in her young adult years. Previously working as a chef, she loved creating meals that brought people together, but God stirred her heart to step away from the kitchen and into ministry. God has now called her into pastoral ministry where she oversees Pastoral Care and Small Groups.
Her passion is journeying alongside others while offering support, encouragement, and guidance as they grow in their faith. She longs to see people draw closer to Jesus, be discipled, and experience true transformation in their lives. Alyssa is committed to creating a community where individuals feel seen, loved, and strengthened in their walk with Christ.
Email: stanton.alyssa@yorkst.com.au
Rachael Clugston — Worship Coordinator
Rachael has been attending York Street church of Christ for 15 years and has been a worship leader for the last 11 years. “Singing is like breathing, it’s such a part of me”. Brought up in a Christian home, Rachael didn’t truly find Jesus until she was 20 and now loves sharing her passion for worship with others whose hearts beat for God coordinating the worship teams here at York Street.
Michelle Poole — Administration Coordinator
Michelle loves God, loves York Street, and loves working where God has planted her. Her strong faith has been a cornerstone for every aspect of her life. Michelle is an experienced Executive Assistant and has held numerous senior administration and business coordination roles. Michelle is very organized and brings over 20 years’ experience in the administration arena.
Email: poole.michelle@yorkst.com.au
Abigail Coventry — Internship Youth Ministry
We’re still updating this information about Abigail.
Maree Dorn — Internship Pastoral Care
We’re still updating this information about Maree.
Email: dorn.maree@yorkst.com.au
Judith Wheaton — Internship Pastoral Care
Judy has been a Christian since her early teens. In recent years, God has been leading her on a journey of finding a deeper intimacy in her relationship with him. Judy has a desire to see the senior members of our congregation who are restricted in their church attendance by ill health, age, or other factors, to still feel connected and cared for by our church. Judy prays that this renewed ministry will develop over the coming months to find ways to encourage and prayerfully support our seniors and to enable them to see the ways they can continue to be used by God despite their changing circumstances.
Email: wheaton.judith@yorkst.com.au
York Street’s mission, vision, and core values
Our vision is that we’re a large church that values family and reaches communities beyond our own.
Our core values are:
1) We’re anchored by scripture and led by the Spirit (Bible and spirit)
2) God cares for every member of His family, and so do we (Family)
3) There are no bounds to our willingness to share the gospel (Evangelism)
4) We equip people to live, lead, and love just as Jesus did (Leadership and discipleship)
5) We’re not satisfied with ordinary — we think and act outside the box (Pioneering and innovation)
6) It’s our joy to contribute to the Kingdom — why can’t it be fun? (Generosity, fun, and joy)
Our core values guide everything we do at York Street. This means regardless of who’s working here, we’ll always have the same foundations and culture at our church. Check out our constitution to learn more about how we manage York Street Church of Christ.
The story behind York Street Church of Christ
Over the last 100+ years, a few things have changed at York Street: we’ve got more buildings, new technology, upbeat music, and even a fancy coffee machine.
But one thing has stayed the same: our purpose to connect people with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.
Take a look back at how York Street has evolved over the years.
The early years
1896: Ballarat Christian Mission (BCM) began ministry at York Street.
1902: BCM purchased York Street Hall.
1903: BCM created a Sunday school, and baptisms started at Ballarat City Baths.
1923: BCM worked with Dawson Street Church of Christ to form York Street Church of Christ on 11 March 1925.
Expanding the church
Early 1930s: Sunday school numbers reached 141.
1932: We built the original chapel, which is now the youth hall.
1937: We opened the new Sunday school building, which is now the cafe area.
1951: We formed a Youth Fellowship.
1953: We created a playgroup.
1967: We opened the Youth Centre, which is now where the church offices are.
1972: We extended the original chapel as the church grew.
Community initiatives
1976: We created the Christmas Festival, and Geoff and Marion Fearys held the carols in their garden.
1981: We began the York Street Church of Christ Kindergarten.
1990: We outgrew the original chapel, so we built the current church building, which includes a 350-seat chapel, a larger foyer, and a new kindergarten space. This meant our youth now had their own space in the original chapel.
1999: We began a Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) program.
The York Street Church of Christ today
2011: We extended the building to create an indoor playground and new meeting rooms.
2019: We launched the Reverse Advent Calendar program.
2020: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we started live-streaming our church services, which we still do today.
2025: 800 people regularly connect with York Street through attending our church services and programs.