HISTORY
The first church service in Dandenong was conducted on July 21, 1850 in Dunbar's Hotel, which also served as a courthouse, saleroom and a general venue for meetings.
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The first building erected on the St. James' site was a brick schoolhouse on the corner of Wilson Street. The first service in this building was conducted in 1857 and from then on Divine Service was held once a month.
MORE HISTORY
By 1863 a meeting of interested persons and church members was arranged to discuss the erection of a church at which twenty residents were each asked to collect ten pounds:a bazaar was also arranged to be held in March 1864. By April 206 pounds 6 shillings had been subscribed, plus a grant of 200 pounds from the Council of the Diocese.
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The Foundation Stone was laid July 5, 1864, by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Charles Darling, and the opening and dedication took place on January 2, 1865. The building erected was the nave only.
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The Sunday School Hall, facing Langhorne St, was built of Tasmanian Jarrah and opened in 1905. In 1929 societies of the church combined to buy the present pipe organ from St Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral at Ballarat. This organ of electric and pneumatic action was placed in St James' in 1930 and is still played and appreciated each Sunday.
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St James has been inseparably involved with the life of this community for over 150 years. In that time countless people have found inspiration and strength for their lives within its walls. But St James would only be merely a museum if it were only a building linked with the past. What gives it meaning is that it is the home of a vibrant, multi-cultural and growing Christian family, where people gather to experience the beauty, love and peace which are the gifts of God.
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May St James' Dandenong continue as a blessing of ministry to its community both now and for generations to follow!
LINKS
The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne:
http://www.melbourne.anglican.com.au/
The National Anglican Website:
http://www.anglican.org.au/
St Paul's Cathedral:
http://www.stpaulscathedral.org.au/
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The Parish has close links to the Heritage Hill site which includes St James. For more information on Heritage Hill please refer to their website: