Central Business District in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

St. Francis Church

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, March 27, 2026

1. St. Francis Church Marker

Inscription. St. Francis is the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Victoria. Built between 1841 and 1845 on the site of an earlier church, it began as a simple brick Gothic style church designed by architect Samuel Jackson. It has since had many additions, including the cedar ceiling in 1850, a chapel in 1856, sanctuary in 1879 and front porch in 1956.

Erected by City of Melbourne - State Bank Victoria.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1841.

Location. 37° 48.723′ S, 144° 57.754′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It is in the Central Business District. It is on Lonsdale Street 0.1 kilometers east of Elizabeth Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is on the Left Hand gate post at the entry. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 326 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

in Australasia,

in the Pacific Ocean,

in South Pacific,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

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Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Christian Brothers Pioneer School (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Sir Redmond Barry (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Swanston Street c1895 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Victorian Women Doctors of World War One (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Dr. Constance Stone (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Charles Joseph La Trobe CB (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Bricks and spirit... (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Working Men's College (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.

Also see . . . St Francis' Church, Melbourne Wikipedia.

The church's foundation stone was laid on 4 October 1841, the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, to whom the church is dedicated. The first Mass was held in the completed nave on 22 May 1842. Mary MacKillop (1842–1909) was baptised at St Francis' Church in 1842. The completed church was blessed on 23 October 1845.

(Submitted on March 27, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

St. Francis Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, March 27, 2026

2. St. Francis Church

Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 26 times since then. Last updated on May 10, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 27, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.