A whisper of history. That’s what St Peter’s Eastern Hill feels like.
St Peter’s Eastern Hill isn’t just a church. It’s a living testament to Melbourne’s growth. It’s the oldest Anglican church still standing on its original inner-city site. Its foundation stone was laid in 1846 by Charles La Trobe. The first services were held just a year later.
Imagine the gold rush era. Around 400 baptisms and an equal number of weddings took place annually at St Peter’s Eastern Hill. The church expanded. It needed to accommodate the booming population. The original building could only hold 1050 people. Galleries were added. Then removed decades later.
St Peter’s Eastern Hill’s central location made it more than just a place of worship. It became a hub for community outreach. It offered chaplaincy services to hospitals universities and even parliament. The church provided a vital breakfast program for Melbourne’s homeless.
The famous opera singer Nellie Melba herself took organ lessons here as a girl. The novelist Henry Handel Richardson attended services. She even included St Peter’s Eastern Hill in her novel The Getting of Wisdom.
The church’s Anglo-Catholic identity became stronger under Ernest Selwyn Hughes. He introduced High Mass. Vestments and incense became part of the service. His successor Farnham Edward Maynard continued his social justice work. He collaborated with the Brotherhood of St Laurence. This organization continues to this day. It plays an important role in Melbourne’s social conscience.
St Peter’s Eastern Hill is also renowned for its music. Its choir is known for its quality. They sing at Sunday services and special events. Their repertoire spans centuries and styles. From Renaissance to modern Australian composers.
St Peter’s Eastern Hill. More than just bricks and mortar. It’s a story etched in stone and sung in hymns. A place that shaped a city and continues to do so. A building that reflects Melbourne’s growth. And its enduring spirit.