About Grace Community Church

We are Thornton Church of Christ Incorporated — a nonprofit, ACNC-registered charity and a local church family serving Thornton and the Hunter region of NSW.

Who we are

A bright, soaring church sanctuary interior filled with light

Grace Community Church is a local Christian congregation in the Churches of Christ tradition, based at 34 Government Rd, Thornton NSW. We are ordinary people — young families, retirees, tradies, teachers, new arrivals and lifelong locals — brought together by faith and a shared commitment to love our neighbours in practical ways.

Our life together centres on two weekly rhythms: our Sunday worship service, where we gather to worship God, hear the Bible taught and encourage one another; and our Friday community playgroup, where local parents and carers find friendship and support while their little ones play. Around those anchors, our community care ministry supports people facing hardship, disability and isolation.

We are an incorporated association and a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). That means we meet national standards of governance and transparency, and our annual reports are publicly available on the ACNC Charity Register.

Church roofline with a cross against a bright blue sky

Our charitable status at a glance

  • Registered charity with the ACNC
  • ABN 18 473 842 346
  • 34 Government Rd, Thornton NSW 2322
  • Incorporated nonprofit association
  • Annual financial reporting to the regulator
  • Child-safe practices at all family ministries

View our official ACNC profile

What we believe and value

The convictions that shape our worship, our welcome and our care for the community.

Grace First

We are named for grace — the unearned kindness of God. Because we have received grace, we extend it: everyone is welcome here, whatever your story, background or doubts.

Scripture & Faith

We follow Jesus Christ and teach the Bible as God's word — not as abstract theory, but as practical wisdom for everyday life, work, family and hardship.

Love in Action

Faith that stays inside the building isn't worth much. We measure ourselves by how we serve: young families, people with disability, and neighbours doing it tough.

Governance and accountability

Thornton Church of Christ Incorporated is governed by an elected leadership team responsible for the church's spiritual direction, finances and compliance. Leadership decisions are minuted, finances are tracked against ministry budgets, and our accounts are reviewed annually before being lodged with the ACNC.

Because we work with children and vulnerable people, safety is a standing priority. Volunteers in our playgroup and family ministries hold current Working with Children Checks, follow a child-safe code of conduct, and operate in open, supervised spaces.

Questions about our governance, finances or policies are always welcome — reach us through the contact page.

Why we serve Thornton

Members of the congregation following along in their Bibles and notebooks

Thornton is a growing community, and growth brings both opportunity and pressure: young families far from grandparents, households stretched by the cost of living, and people with disability who can find themselves isolated. A local church is uniquely placed to respond — we are here every week, we know our neighbours, and we stay for the long haul.

Our playgroup gives isolated parents a village. Our community care gives struggling households practical relief and dignity. Our Sunday gathering gives everyone — including people who would never call themselves religious — a place to belong and breathe.

When you give to Grace Community Church, you are funding a local, accountable charity whose work you can literally walk past any day of the week at 34 Government Rd.

Come and see for yourself

Join us for Sunday worship or Friday playgroup — or partner with us through giving. Either way, you will be warmly welcomed.

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