West Melbourne in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania
St. James Old Cathedral
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 16, 2026
1. St. James Old Cathederal Marker
St. James Old Cathedral
The foundation stone of St. James was laid in 1839 near the corner of Collins and William Streets.
The church was designed by Robert Russell, architect, an early surveyor of Melbourne. Later additions and alterations were by Charles Laing.
It was Melbourne's Cathedral from 1848 until 1891 and was moved to this site in 1913.
(The National Trust Marker)
St. James Old Cathedral
Erected by City of Melbourne, State Bank of Victoria and The National Trust of Australia - Victoria.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1839.
Location. 37° 48.612′ S, 144° 57.158′ E. Marker is in West Melbourne, Victoria, in Melbourne. It is at the intersection of Batman Street and King Street (Victoria Route 60), on the left when traveling east on Batman Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 Batman Street, West Melbourne VIC 3003, Australia. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Oceania, in Australasia, in the Pacific Ocean, in
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. James' Old Cathedral - Foundation Stone (here, next to this marker); Victoria Separation Monument Tablet (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Separation Monument (about 120 meters away); Flagstaff Gardens - The Hill (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Flagstaff Gardens - Mapping 170 Years of Change (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Federal Coffee Palace (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Melbourne (Bird's Eye View) 1882 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Flagstaff Gardens (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Melbourne.
Also see . . . History. St. James Old Cathedral
St James' Church of England was originally built on a crown grant site on the corner of William and Little Collins Streets. The foundation stone was laid by Charles La Trobe, Superintendent of the District of Port Philip, on the 9th November 1839.(Submitted on September 1, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)
Mr Robert Russell, aLondon architect and surveyor, designed the building in Colonial Georgian style, inspired by Francis Greenway's work at St James' King Street in Sydney. The unfinished building was opened for worship on the 2nd October 1842.Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 16, 20262. St. James Old Cathedral Marker at the Entrance
The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne was founded in 1847 and on the 29th June that year Charles Perry was consecrated in Westminster Abbey as Melbourne's first bishop. Upon arrival in the colony, he was enthroned at St James' on 28th January 1848 and St James' became the Cathedral church of the new diocese. It was not consecrated, however, until 1853. Melbourne's first peal of bells - six of them - was also hung in St James' Cathedral that year, replacing an old ship's bell. (Two more were added in 1885.) A group of miners banking their profits from the goldfields saw the bells being hung and resolved to stay in town to form a team of ringers.
St James' enjoyed a season of civic prominence in the 1850s and 1860s but the rapidly expanding city meant it was too small for purpose almost as soon as it was consecrated. Increasingly the church sold off lands around St James and it was hidden from view on the main streets,retaining only its Little Collins Street frontage.Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 16, 20263. St. James Old Cathedral
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 1, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
