14. ST GEORGE THE MARTYR CHURCH
Corner Hobson and Mercer Streets

This Church and adjacent Parish Hall are part of a complex that originally also included a Vicarage, all three attributed to the Melbourne architect, Albert Purchas. The Church was constructed in 1863-64 of locally quarried limestone, with a stuccoed brick tower added in 1878 and further extensions made in 1887 and 1958. The former Vicarage was built of brick in 1865-66 and remained in use until 1967, when it was replaced by the current vicarage. Construction of the brick Parish Hall was begun in 1870 but it was not completed until 1902.

Architect, Albert Purchas designed several significant churches in Victoria in the 1850s and 1870s. The roof of this church encompasses both the aisles and nave. The tower has an unusual decoration of pilot lights. The church is significant as a rare example of the Later Gothic architectural style, with lovely interior, freely decorated and characterized by broad planning and large stained glass windows (A and B).

The Parish Hall was constructed for both education and worship. The scale and the location of these early buildings indicate the strength of the Anglican Church in the area.

http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/places/result_detail/4824?print=true