West Melbourne in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

St. James' Old Cathedral - Foundation Stone

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 16, 2026

1. St. James Old Cathedral - Foundation Stone Marker

Inscription. Foundation Stone of the original St. James' Old Cathedral was laid on the 9th November, 1939 by superintendent La Trobe. The first service was held on 2nd October, 1842. Designed by Robert Russell and built by George Beaver, it was the first stone church in the City of Melbourne, and John Batman was one of its subscribers. Melbourne's first Church of England bishop, Charles Perry, was enthroned in St. James' in 1848. St. James' formerly stood on a site off Collins Street, but after St Paul's Cathedral was established, it was removed to the King Street site 1913-1914, and rebuilt stone by stone.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is November 9, 1839.

Location. 37° 48.611′ 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,

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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.

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: St. James Old Cathedral (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 . . . The history of St James Old Cathedral. North West City News

It was originally a church built close to the corner of Collins and William streets. Today St James Lane marks its approximate location. The foundation stone was laid on November 9, 1839, by Charles Latrobe,
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 16, 2026

2. St. James' Old Cathedral - Foundation Stone Marker at the entrance
then the Superintendent of the Port Phillip District.

Melbourne had only begun to be settled four years earlier and was administratively a settlement under the Colonial Government of New South Wales. The church was opened for services in October 1842, and the building was finally finished in 1847.

The Anglican diocese of the Church of England was proclaimed the following year at which time the church became Melbourne’s Anglican Cathedral.

In 1847 Charles Perry was appointed the first Bishop of Melbourne and he arrived to take up the position in 1848. His wife, Frances Perry, founded the Royal Women’s Hospital as well as other charitable institutions.

As Melbourne’s population increased the Cathedral became too small for the Anglican community and in 1891 St Paul’s Cathedral, in Flinders St, was consecrated. St James became known as the Old Cathedral and remained on the same site until 1913 when cracks appeared and the structure was deemed to be unsafe.

It was decided that, rather than demolish what was one of Melbourne’s first buildings, it should be moved to a site opposite Flagstaff Gardens, on the corner of King and
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 16, 2026

3. St. James' Old Cathedral
Batman streets. The church was reopened on its present site in April 1914.

Several modifications had to be made during its translocation. Its orientation was moved to North/South rather that the more usual East/West. And the design of the tower was made square to match its base, enabling all eight bells to be installed on one level. Only the exterior stone and timber works are completely original.

(Submitted on September 1, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 10 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.