Australia's European Christian History 1519-1788
Rev. Frank Van Der Korput spoke about "Australia's European Christian History" at Umina UCA on Australia Day 2025.
We started in 1519 with the Portuguese explorer Magellan. He was followed by the Protestant Dutchman Willem Jansz in his ship Duyfken ("little dove").
The Portuguese Catholic Pedro Fernandez de Quiros landed on what he thought was Australia, naming it "La Austrialia del Espirito Santo” (The Southland of the Holy Spirit) - our country's true name!
The Dutch Protestant Abel Tasman was next, naming "Van Diemen's Land" after one of the Governors of the Dutch East Indies Company.
The English Pirate William Dampier explored the West coast, and Lieutenant (later Captain) James Cook was the first European to discover the East Coast, accompanied by the Botanist Joseph Banks. Banks' influence led to Australia being chosen to house Britain's convicts.
Our story ended on 18th January 1788 with the arrival of the First Fleet under Governor Arthur Phillip , along with the Chaplain Rev. Richard Johnson. The Bible verse for the first sermon Johnson preached on this land came from Psalm 116:12 - "What shall I return [render] to the LORD for all his goodness to me?".
This land, Terra Australis, is God's land - the Southland of the Holy Spirit.