Fancy a glimpse into Melbourne’s Anglican history? Right here before us stands All Saint’s Church, a testament to faith and architectural ambition.
All Saint’s Church has a story that starts in 1857. Reverend John Herbert Gregory dreamt of a grand church. He served as its first vicar. By November 1858, the foundation stone was laid. The official opening took place on December 8, 1861.
Nathaniel Billing designed All Saint’s Church in the Gothic style. He was a pupil of Sir George Gilbert Scott. Billing envisioned a long nave flanked by side aisles. The church is built with bluestone and Tasmanian freestone.
Did you know All Saint’s Church is known as the largest Anglican parish church in the southern hemisphere? It can accommodate up to 1400 people. The original plan included a 41-meter tower. But financial problems prevented its construction.
Inside All Saint’s Church, near the entrance, is the baptistry. A sandstone sculpture honors parishioners who died in WW1 and WW2. Stained glass windows line the nave. They depict scenes from Jesus Christ’s life and various saints. Unusually, one window depicts Judas Iscariot. It is possibly the only such window in Australia.
The chancel is known for its stenciled decorations. The sanctuary features a marble altar. It emphasizes the Catholic style of sacramentally-centered worship. The Chapel of Our Lady is in the north transept. It is used for weekday Masses. It houses an oratory dedicated to Our Lady of Walsingham.
All Saint’s Church follows Anglo-Catholic liturgical traditions. Services are based on the English Missal. Incense is used. Clergy and servers wear complete vestments. Traditional English from the Book of Common Prayer is used. Traditional hymns and plainsong chants accompany the worship.
Music is integral to All Saint’s Church. John O’Donnell is the music director. The church maintains a traditional parish choir of men and boys. There is also a girls’ choir called the St. Hildegard Singers. The All Saints’ Singers, a mixed choir, perform at monthly Evensong services and special events.
All Saint’s Church has a rich choral history. It goes back to the mid-19th century. People come from all over Melbourne to worship here. They are drawn to the traditional liturgy, orthodox teaching, and fine music. Many have connections to the church through the choir or significant life events.
All Saint’s Church seeks to uphold the Catholic and Apostolic faith. It follows the Book of Common Prayer. It adheres to the teachings of the General Councils of the Universal Church. The Prayer Book Society of Victoria calls All Saint’s Church home.
The church interior is decorated in 19th Century English ‘Tractarian’ Gothic style. It was faithfully restored in 2008. All Saint’s Church is considered one of the finest Victorian Gothic buildings in Australia. It houses many fine objects. Some of the best stained glass windows in the country are here.
Adjacent to All Saint’s Church is the Vicarage. It was built in 1860. It features polychrome brickwork. Gregory Hall, built in 1910-11, is also part of the All Saints’ complex. It represents abstracted Gothicism. It was named after Fr. Gregory, the church’s first vicar.
All Saints’ Grammar School was founded in 1871. It was one of the earliest church-associated schools. The school closed in 1937.
All Saint’s Church has been a fashionable venue for weddings. The Australian Dictionary of Biography lists numerous notable marriages.
From its foundations to its soaring architecture and commitment to tradition All Saint’s Church remains a beacon. It preserves Melbourne’s Anglican heritage.