Princes Hill

In 1884, a hopeful congregation gathered in Carlton, dreaming of a new church. They envisioned it serving the burgeoning communities of North Carlton and Princes Hill. Princes Hill was rapidly growing, transforming from open land into a vibrant neighborhood. This area, just north of Melbourne’s bustling center, was named after Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert. The church, dedicated to St. Michael, was eventually built at the corner of Macpherson and McIlwraith Streets in Princes Hill. By May 1885, a temporary structure stood ready, soon to echo with hymns and prayers. Princes Hill was not only attracting new residents but also vital services. A school followed the church. In 1889, a state school opened on Arnold Street, accommodating around 250 eager students. This was the sixth state school in the area, demonstrating the rapid population growth. Even a police station was established in 1888 near Lygon and Paterson Streets, albeit with a single constable initially. The suburb’s growth reflected Melbourne’s expansion. Land sales, like the one recorded in 1884 for a plot on Wilson Street, further fueled this development. Princes Hill, once a quiet hill, became a thriving community. Decades later, in 2003, demographer Bernard Salt gave Princes Hill a quirky nickname: “Chick City.” This playful moniker highlighted the suburb’s demographic makeup, where single women outnumbered single men. This interesting statistic adds another layer to the story of Princes Hill, a place that evolved from a sparsely populated hill to a vibrant suburb with a unique identity.