The building of All Saints Church East St Kilda commenced with the laying of the foundation stone on 8th November 1858 and continued over three principal phases until 1892. The original design by Nathaniel Billing (1821-1910) in classic English Decorated Gothic style was accepted in 1857. By 1861 the first three bays of the Nave were opened and by 1868 the nave (with a temporary chancel) was completed. Billings’ design was abandoned in 1873 in favour of a revised design by Frederick Wyatt (d. 1878) which included a chancel, chancel aisles, transepts, organ chamber and vestries.

The unique apsidal transepts and sanctuary were influenced by French gothic. An ambitious building plan according to Wyatt’s design saw porches, transepts, the permanent chancel and sanctuary and temporary chancel aisles completed by 1875. In 1884 the organ chamber and vestries were added, and the north chapel finally built in 1890-91. The completed building was consecrated by Bishop Goe on 8 November 1892.

All Saints is built of Geelong bluestone with Tasmania sandstone dressings. The floor space makes it the largest parish church in Australia. The extensive range of vestries, on two levels, includes an apsidal choir practice room, reflecting the church’s pre-eminent choral tradition. Each generation has added to the significant collection of architectural and decorative features of the church.

If you wish to read more about our history, click here.

Worship this Week

  • Wednesday, September 9
    10:30 AM
  • Thursday, September 10
    7:00 AM
  • Saturday, September 12
    6:00 PM
  • Sunday, September 13
    8:30 AM
  • Sunday, September 13
    10:00 AM
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