Our story of course starts with the Holy Spirit, moving amongst people of Kumeū to create a new church. And so on March 3, 1946 a group of Christians from six denominations formally opened “Kumeū Open Baptist Church”.

The focus of the new church was children and families. There was a priority in helping families disciple their children. A vision we still hold today.

We are often asked 'where are you?' And our answer is, we are wherever we gather! As we have no building we gather across Kumeū during the week. We sold our building in 2017 and have been moving around the community while we pray and work towards a building on our land at 26 Old Railway Road - yes that big cross on SH16 is us!

We have a small office on the land for meetings and staff. Otherwise you can find us at Huapai School Hall on Sundays, 278 Matua Road for Kumeū Youth, Kumeū Community Centre for Mainly Music, 278 Matua for our playgroups and in many homes in the community for life groups.

In 2025, leadership felt it was time to review the spelling of Kumeū. Here is Co Pastor Gareth's telling of the story:

I love learning about languages and etymology. Learning the meaning of Kumeū (to pull or strike the breast) made us aware that the former rendering of our church name as ‘Kumeu Baptist Church’ didn’t properly reflect this meaning without the tohutō/macron over the ‘u’. I also felt that the correct vowel usage would be a way to honour te Tiriti o Waitangi, with its protection of te Reo Māori as a taonga. I believe we should lead by example in this regard, as spiritual descendants of the missionaries who acted as midwives for te Tiriti. A conversation with Luke Kaa-Morgan (Te Pouarataki mō te Hīkoi for the Baptist movement) led me to contact representatives from our local iwi, Te Kawerau ā Maki and Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara, to confirm how they write Kumeū: with the macron, without it, or using a double vowel instead. Both confirmed ‘Kumeū’ was the way to go, so the next step was to take it to the church for congregational approval. After hearing the explanation and process behind the recommendation, KBC voted unanimously to approve the change, and we officially became Kumeū Baptist Church!

Now known as Kumeū Baptist Church, we have been meeting for 80 years come 2026! We look forward to you joining us and continuing the good work of those gone before us into new places.