St James’ Old Cathedral
West Melbourne

in partnership with St Jude’s, Carlton

History of St James’ Old Cathedral
“The Church of the Pioneers”
West Melbourne

St James’ Anglican Church was built on a crown grant site near the corner of William and Little Collins Streets, where the foundation stone was laid by Charles La Trobe, Superintendent of the District of Port Phillip, on 9 November 1839. This church was preceded by a simple timber pioneer church built with the help of contributions from various denominations and initially used also by them. 

Mr Robert Russell, a London architect and surveyor, designed the building in Colonial Georgian style.  The foundations are of bluestone, and the main walls of a sandstone found in various quarries nearby.  The unfinished building was opened for worship on 2 October 1842 and completed in 1847. 

The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne was founded in 1847 and on 29 June Charles Perry was consecrated in Westminster Abbey as Melbourne’s first Bishop.  On arrival in the colony, he was enthroned in St James’ on 28 January 1848 and St James’ became the first Cathedral Church of the new diocese, though not consecrated until 1853. 

The new St Paul’s Cathedral was opened for worship on 22  January 1891 and St James’ reverted to the status of parish church.  Since St James’ occupied valuable city land, it was eventually decided to move the Old Cathedral to its present site, where it was reopened for worship on 19 April 1914.  The church was carefully reconstructed, stone by numbered stone, and is substantially in its original form.  

A much fuller sense of the history of St James’ can be attained by a visit to the church. It is open Monday to Friday, 10.00am until 4.00pm. Entry is free. Tour groups are welcome – please phone in advance.

Memorabilia available for sale. A more detailed history can be purchased at St James’.

webmaster: inkontext@inkontext.com.au
Last modified: 8 June 2008