St George's Presbyterian Church
St George's Presbyterian Church 04-10-2014 - John Conn, Templestowe, Victoria
St George's Presbyterian Church - Hall 04-10-2014 - John Conn, Templestowe, Victoria

St George's Presbyterian Church

Geelong, VIC 3220

Church Information

Church Name: St George's Presbyterian Church
Church Previous Name: -
Denomination: Presbyterian Church of Australia
Street Address: 245 Latrobe Terrace, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
Suburb: Geelong
State: VIC
Postcode: 3220
Foundation Stone Laid: 12-06-1861
Foundation Stone Notes: 

Original church building was extended by the additions of transepts and vestibule in 1908 and spire and tower in 1936.

Stone records: "Ad Gloriam Dei - The Foundation Stone of this spire - completing the church built in 1861 - was laid by James H McPhillimy - 4th April 1936".

Hall stone records: "To The Glory Of God - this stone - was laid by - Rev James McMaster BA - Minister of St George's Church - February 12th 1939".

St George's Presbyterian Church was formed in 1861 by a breakaway group from the St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Yarra Street. The large and finely constructed Church reflects the wealth of many of the Church's foundation patrons, which included Francis Ormond and other western district squatters. The Church is a significant and intact work of noted ecclesiastical architect Nathaniel Billing. Important Presbyterian Church historian, the Reverend A J Campbell, was the first incumbent.

The foundation stone was laid on 12 June 1861. Brown and Gibson, contractors, built this early English Gothic Church from designs by architect Nathaniel Billing. The original large nave with vestry and apse constructed of irregularly coursed basalt with Hawkesbury River freestone dressings was extended by the additions of transepts and vestibule in 1908 and spire and tower in 1936

The tower and spire, the gift of Mr. James Mc Phillimy and his sister Louise, marked the 75th Anniversary of St. George's, of which the Mc Phillimys had been members for fifty years.

The exterior freestone has been restored. The stain glass windows, manufactured by Ballantyne and Company of Edinburgh, are of particular interest as fine examples of this craft. The adjacent manse of 1865 is also by Nathaniel Billing.

The Church was closed around 2010.

Date Opened: 00-00-1861
Date Closed: 20-01-2015
Email: admin@churchesaustralia.org

Comments

St George's Presbyterian Church began in 1860. It was formed by a breakaway group from St Andrew's Presbyterian Church,  Yarra Street.  

The last service was held in the church building on 20/1/2015, as the commencement of a one year moratorium, to decide the future of the church building. The church has a small congregation with very expensive maintenance required on the building due to its nature and stature. More historical information/photographs of the church/congregation are invited. Photographs upoaded 30/12/2014.

Last Updated: Sunday 6th April, 2025
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