“Ugliness” someone once called it. Can you believe that anyone would describe St James Old Cathedral that way? This oldest church in Melbourne has witnessed the city’s transformation. St James stands as a testament to Melbourne’s early days.
Let’s step back in time. Melbourne was just four years old when they laid the foundation stone for St James in 1839. Charles La Trobe officiated. He was the superintendent of the Port Phillip District. Imagine the excitement. This church was one of the first substantial buildings in the town.
Robert Russell designed St James Old Cathedral. He was the town surveyor. George Beaver built it. Even John Batman helped fund its construction. He was one of Melbourne’s founders. The building opened for worship in 1842. It wasn’t fully completed until 1847.
In 1848, Melbourne became an Anglican diocese. St James became the cathedral church. Charles Perry was Melbourne’s first bishop. Hussey Burgh Macartney became the inaugural Dean. His wife Jane and Frances Perry supported charitable institutions. St James served as Melbourne’s Anglican cathedral. That was until St Paul’s Cathedral opened in 1891.
St James originally stood at Collins Street and William Street. That was the heart of town in the 1840s. Today, a small street called St James Lane marks the spot. It ran by the church’s school.
By 1913, the church faced a crisis. Leaks and cracks made the structure unsafe. Architect Thomas Watts said it had to close. Land values were rising. The congregation was shrinking. People considered demolition. But some proposed re-erecting it instead. They chose a new site on King Street and Batman Street. It was opposite Flagstaff Gardens.
John Stevens Gawler oversaw the move. He reopened St James on April 19, 1914. Only the exterior stonework and timber were saved. The church wasn’t rebuilt exactly the same. There were internal changes. The tower was altered. Despite the changes, it is still the earliest surviving church in Victoria. It is also one of Melbourne’s earliest surviving buildings.
Inside St James Old Cathedral you can find a marble baptismal fount. It came from St Katherine’s Abbey church in London. That abbey was torn down. It made way for St Catherine’s Docks. La Trobe presented the fount when he laid the church’s foundation stone.
The church has eight bells. Melbourne’s first peal of six bells was hung in 1853. Two more bells were added in 1885. Miners who had profited from the goldfields formed a team of ringers. They rang these bells.
St James Old Cathedral represents Melbourne’s history. It stands on the land of the Wurundjeri people. The church pays tribute. It seeks understanding and reconciliation.
Next time you pass by, remember the journey of St James. From its pioneer beginnings to its relocation. This church has been a silent witness. It has seen Melbourne grow into the metropolis it is today. It continues to spread love, kindness, and joy.