This significant parish church was constructed
in 1860, making it one of the earlier major church buildings in the then
developing city of Melbourne. It is worth bearing in mind that at this
time, Australia as a federated country had not yet come into being and would
would not do so for another 40 years. The building was designed by William
Wardell, also responsible for the design of St. Patrick's Cathedral, seen
elsewhere on this site. For more details of this church and its activities
see its own web site here
As with many Anglican churches, music is,
and always has been, integral to the worship at St. John's. The present
organ was installed in 1914 following the appointment as music director
2 years earlier of W.G. Price, then one of Australia's foremost concert
performers. The present music director Thomas Heywood is currently one
of this countries best known recitalists
Details of the 1914 Hill organ, fully restored
in 1994/5 are here
The stained glass windows are an overwhelmingly
beautiful feature of St. John's. The magnificent east window
is the oldest in the building dating from 1862. It depicts
Christ's birth, baptism, death and resurrection.
