Central Business District in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

Wesley Church

— Wesley Place Heritage Trail —

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 3, 2026

1. Wesley Church Marker

Inscription. Guiding the way

Wesley Church was officially opened on 26 August 1858. Designed by pre-eminent Melbourne architect Joseph Reed, the Gothic Revival style church was completed in less than a year. This was Melbourne's first substantial church spire, a city landmark that was also used to adjust compasses at sea. Also designed by Reed, the Manse and School House were finished in 1859. No substantial buildings were constructed here until 1888, when the Conference Hall was built.

Erected by Wesley Place. (Marker Number A1.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is August 26, 1858.

Location. 37° 48.62′ S, 144° 58.096′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It is in the Central Business District. It is on Lonsdale Street 0.1 kilometers west of Jones Lane, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 130 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

Australasia,

the Pacific Ocean,

South Pacific,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

the Pacific Rim,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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: John Wesley Statue (here, next to this marker); Balit-dahn Balit-nganjin (Their Strength, Our Strength), 2021 (here, next to this marker); Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (a few steps from this marker); The Nicholas Family (a few steps from this marker); Princess Mary Club (a few steps from this marker); Nicholas Hall (a few steps from this marker); Former Manse (within shouting distance of this marker); Archaeology and Artefacts (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.

Also see . . . Stop A1: Wesley Church. Wesley Place

A monumental achievement

True to Reed’s vision, the entire church complex incorporating the Manse and School House was finished in 1859. No other buildings were constructed here until 1888, when a Conference Hall was built at the south-west corner of the site. During refurbishment works in 2019, an inscription was
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 3, 2026

2. Wesley Church Marker and the Church
found on one of the bricks on the spire. This is thought to have been a tribute to a worker who died during the repair of the spire in 1881.

Presence, perseverance and permanence

There has been a Methodist presence in Melbourne since the early days of European settlement. The first sermon preached in Melbourne was by the Methodist minister, Reverend Joseph Orton, at the home of John Batman on 24 April 1836. Within a year, the first Methodist Church Society had been formed by immigrants from Tasmania, with a membership numbering seven by 1837. From these beginnings, the Methodist Church in Victoria steadily grew in size and influence. The majority of Victorian Methodists were Wesleyans.

(Submitted on June 18, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Wesleyan Church, Melbourne image. Click for full size.

circa 1910

3. Wesleyan Church, Melbourne

Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 18, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. 3. submitted on June 19, 2026. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.