“A church that’s seen it all,” the elderly woman chuckled, gesturing towards St Johns Uniting Church. “Well, almost everything since 1975, anyway!”
St Johns Uniting Church, here in Melbourne, is a relatively modern structure, established in 1975. Despite its youth compared to some of Melbourne’s grand old dames, it holds a special place in the heart of the city.
The church you see today replaced an earlier St Johns, built in 1927 and demolished in 1989 to make way for the Southgate development. That original church, with its foundation stone laid in 1928, held countless services, weddings, and community events. But like all things, it eventually made way for the new. The current St Johns Uniting Church, designed by David Cole, boasts a sleek, contemporary design that reflects the modern face of Melbourne while still providing a sacred space for faith and reflection.