The Albert Street Congregation sits in the heart of Brisbane CBD at the corner of Albert Street and Ann Street. We are a member of the Uniting Church in Australia and we are the spiritual home of Wesley Mission Queensland. Since its first acts of compassion and kindness in 1847, the Albert Street Congregation has had a vital presence in the Brisbane CBD, particularly among those who have often found themselves in need or on the margins of society.

As it has done for 170 years, the Congregation endeavours to express the Good News through its worship, witness and service that God continues to transform the world, bring healing and justice for all people. The church is committed to being a welcoming community of Christ: building faith, compassionately serving in mission with faithfulness, integrity and openness.

Albert Street Uniting Church has a community services division called Wesley Mission Queensland which was established in 1907 when affiliated with the Methodist Church (Methodist Central Mission). Currently we provide services throughout Queensland to people from a wide spectrum across the community including: the elderly (retirement living, residential aged care), youth and families at risk of homelessnessthose living with a disability and people struggling with disadvantage who have nowhere else to turn.  Wesley Mission Queensland employ a dedicated team of more than 2500 staff and 1500 volunteers. We are committed to addressing the issues facing our community and to offer services that see the person as a whole being created in the image of a loving God.

What does the Uniting Church believe?

The Uniting Church is Australia’s third largest Christian denomination.  It was formed in 1977 as a result of the coming together of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational churches in Australia. For a detailed look at our churches explore the Uniting Church Queensland Synod’s page which will take you through our beliefs, what to expect, Church jargon and much more.

Our Staff at Albert Street Uniting Church

Rev Dr Peter Hobson is the Superintendent Minister at WMQ Albert Street Uniting Church. Over the years Peter has worked as a full-time musician and an audio technician, a youth worker and a congregational minister. He has also served as a chaplain at high school, at university and through community care; and he has taught Theology, Ethics, Biblical Studies, Pastoral Care and the Practice of Ministry in churches, schools and universities. In 2014, he completed a PhD on Hermeneutics, Discipleship and Narrative Theology.

Peter joined the team at Albert Street in July 2018.

Our Congregational Minister is Rev Mel Wheeley and she is a Ordained  Minister of the Word.  Previously ministry includes project worker at Synod Office; Ministry Placements at Moggill Uniting Church and Beenleigh Region Uniting Church; Scripture Union Chaplaincy; Wesley Meal Coordinator; Youth Worker for at Risk Youth.  Put simply, Mel’s passion is to love God, herself and others well (she believes it is hard to love others well, if you don’t first love yourself). Mel loves listening for God and partnering with the Spirit of God already at work in and around us.

Melanie joined the Ministry team in November 2020.

Church Administration Officer: Susan Pietsch

Susan takes care of wedding, baptisms, church services and our social media pages including the website, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest pages. Susan Is a member of the Anglican Church and is an artist with Visionaries Christian Art Group who regularly exhibits in the Brisbane area. Susan is in the Church office on Tuesday to Friday, 9.30am – 4pm.

Organist: Greg Hartay-Szabo

Greg Hartay-Szabo studied organ in Hungary with István Baróti, organist of the Esztergom Basilica, Lilla Szathmáry at the Bartók Conservatory and Christopher Wrench at the Queensland Conservatorium. He majored in Organ at the Queensland Conservatorium under the tutelage of Christopher Wrench, won the Conservatorium Organ prize in three consecutive years, graduating with Honours in 2003. He has performed in numerous local and interstate festivals and events, and is Organist/Director of Music at the Albert Street Uniting Church and University Organist for the Queensland University of Technology. For more information visit Organ Music on the Move.

Wesley House Building Manager: Tye Shepherd

Tye manages Wesley’s Mission Queensland’s only commercial building, Wesley House. Wesley House is a five star, green star building and we have two rooms for public hire: the ground floor Function room and the Rooftop meeting room. Tye has a background in the performing arts and event management. Tye is in the Church office Monday to Friday, 8am – 1pm.

Our History

The present Albert Street Church building was opened in 1889, but the history of its people goes back to when the first Methodist congregation met in Brisbane in 1847. This church was regarded as the mother of Queensland Methodism and has been the scene of many historic events. Among these were state and national conferences of the Methodist church, and the ordination of its Ministers. Read more…