A black and white soft covered booklet titled, 'St. John's Presbyterian Church Bendigo. Positive Stewardship 1957.' It contains a short history of St. John's and an outline of what the needs of the Church are and what the future plans are. Through ''Positive Stewardship 1957'' the aim of the book is to encourage members to commit pledges in order for the church to achieve its aims. Cambridge Press, Bendigo, 1957. photos. Item part of Mr. Ken Hesse Collection donated by Mr. James Lerk.church, history, presbyterian church forest st bendigo, ken hesse collection, collection, bendigo, history, christianity, organisation, religions, report, st. john's bendigo, presbyterian church

The building was designed by Charles Maplestone of Heidelberg, son-in-law to Anthony Beale of St Helena. Maplestone was a prominent architect who came out to Australia with his family in 1852. The foundation stone was laid by Mrs Isabella Maplestone on 11th November 1867. The bricklayers for the church were George Stebbing, H Limmer, H Spicer and a Mr Timm while Thomas Day was the stonemason. Another three years were to pass before sufficient money could be raised for its completion. It was opened by Bishop Perry on 1st November, 1870. The church bell which hung under a tree for 50 years until it was incorporated in the parish hall was brought out from England and presented by Charles Orme. In 1916, the estate of George Martin Pizzey left sufficient money to build the red brick hall, which still stands today (2023) though in January 1969 the hall and bell tower were badly damaged by bushfire. Coincidentally the former home of benefactor, George Pizzey was destroyed in the same fire. Of particular significance are the interior and exterior of the church, the Sunday school and hall with emphasis on pre-World War I fabric (excluding the 1990s additions) and the three coloured glass windows currently suspended in the 1990s entry foyer. In 2011 further alterations were made to the front of the Church. The church is historically significant because it was the oldest public building in the former Diamond Valley Shire, is amongst the oldest buildings in the Shire of Nillumbik and is associated with the early settlement of the Diamond Creek district. The church is historically, socially and spiritually significant because it has been a place of worship for over 150 years and continues to be, an important meeting place in the Shire. The church is aesthetically significant for the three stained glass windows executed by the noted stained glass manufacturers, Ferguson & Urie, as well as the supporting coloured glass windows in the church. The Sunday school & parish hall is architecturally significant because the hall is a well executed and preserved example of the work of noted church architects, North & Williams. It is historically significant because it is connected with local parishioner and Melbourne industrialist, George Pizzey, who bequeathed funds for its construction. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. National Estate Ntionl Trust of Australia (Victoria) Local significance Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p85 St John’s Anglican Church stands like a beacon on the hill on Main Street, Diamond Creek. Today the church has a large congregation, but its early years were marked by a small congregation struggling to find enough money to survive. It was gold in Diamond Creek that resulted in the building of this National Trust registered property.1 This church is far removed from William Wilson’s humble barn (later the Bowling Green) where the first Anglican church services were conducted – probably the first in the district.2 In the mid 19th century services were infrequent as the Rev Francis Hales, travelling on horseback, also conducted services elsewhere, including at Heidelberg, Coburg, Kinglake, Arthurs Creek, St Andrews and Kangaroo Ground. In 1860 Diamond Creek came under the jurisdiction of the Eltham Parish. Until the mid 1860s the Diamond Creek settlement included only about 20 families who were struggling farmers. But this changed when gold was found in 1862. Then the township grew to 200 families, including miners, civil administration workers and shopkeepers. The resulting growth of Church of England adherents prompted them to petition the Government in 1866 for land to build a church. The area chosen, on which the original building still stands, was at the centre of the proposed township. Today church leaders believe that this conspicuous location is one of the reasons for its exceptional growth. Prominent architect Charles Maplestone designed the building as he did the Presbyterian Church at Kangaroo Ground. St John’s, which is still intact, was built in the Gothic Revival style with the traditional rectangular plan of a central nave and sanctuary at the end. It is typical of small churches built in Victoria at that time, with polychromatic hand-made bricks, a porch, diagonal buttresses and a slate roof.3 The church was officially opened by Lord Bishop Perry on November 1, 1870. But during the next 40 years, due to the varying fortunes of gold mining, the church struggled to remain viable. In 1909 it separated from the Eltham Parish to form a parish with Greensborough. Life became more difficult with the privations of World War One. Then disaster struck in 1915 when fire destroyed the Diamond Creek Gold Mine, wiping out the major livelihood of most parishioners. However the church’s morale was lifted in 1916, when it received a bequest to build the red brick hall, from late parishioner and prominent leather manufacturer, George Pizzey. As prosperity grew, in 1924 the congregation separated from Greensborough, but they rejoined in the 1930s Depression. In the 1950s the wider population soared, impacting on St John’s, and it became a separate parish, becoming responsible for six churches at St Andrews, Hazel Glen, Hurstbridge, St Helena and Yarrambat. As parishioner numbers outgrew the building, extensions were added in 1989 and then in 1993, blending in well with the original building. Church members have made a huge contribution to the local community. John Ryan was a Heidelberg Shire Councillor for 25 years from 1931, Mayor in 1939 and headed several local sporting and other organisations. His son Jock became a clergyman and a local historian heading the Nillumbik Historical Society. Another parishioner, Dr Ted Cordner, came to Diamond Creek in 1920. One of his sons Donald, who was a local doctor, won the Brownlow Medal, was President of the Melbourne Cricket Club and President of the Melbourne Grammar School Council. Roy ‘Monty’ Vale was a state Liberal MP and was related to May Vale, a member of the Heidelberg School of Artists.4 In the early 21st century St John’s Anglican Church is one of the fastest growing congregations in Melbourne. References: St Johns Anglican Church complex, Sunday School and Parish Hall 61 Main Street DIAMOND CREEK, NILLUMBIK SHIRE. (2023, June 7). Retrieved from https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/64023 Diamond Creek, VIC. – St John’s Anglican (2023, June 7). Retrieved from https://www.churchhistories.net.au/church-catalog/diamond-creek-vic-st-johns-anglican This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, st john's anglican church, diamond creek

The building was designed by Charles Maplestone of Heidelberg, son-in-law to Anthony Beale of St Helena. Maplestone was a prominent architect who came out to Australia with his family in 1852. The foundation stone was laid by Mrs Isabella Maplestone on 11th November 1867. The bricklayers for the church were George Stebbing, H Limmer, H Spicer and a Mr Timm while Thomas Day was the stonemason. Another three years were to pass before sufficient money could be raised for its completion. It was opened by Bishop Perry on 1st November, 1870. The church bell which hung under a tree for 50 years until it was incorporated in the parish hall was brought out from England and presented by Charles Orme. In 1916, the estate of George Martin Pizzey left sufficient money to build the red brick hall, which still stands today (2023) though in January 1969 the hall and bell tower were badly damaged by bushfire. Coincidentally the former home of benefactor, George Pizzey was destroyed in the same fire. Of particular significance are the interior and exterior of the church, the Sunday school and hall with emphasis on pre-World War I fabric (excluding the 1990s additions) and the three coloured glass windows currently suspended in the 1990s entry foyer. In 2011 further alterations were made to the front of the Church. The church is historically significant because it was the oldest public building in the former Diamond Valley Shire, is amongst the oldest buildings in the Shire of Nillumbik and is associated with the early settlement of the Diamond Creek district. The church is historically, socially and spiritually significant because it has been a place of worship for over 150 years and continues to be, an important meeting place in the Shire. The church is aesthetically significant for the three stained glass windows executed by the noted stained glass manufacturers, Ferguson & Urie, as well as the supporting coloured glass windows in the church. The Sunday school & parish hall is architecturally significant because the hall is a well executed and preserved example of the work of noted church architects, North & Williams. It is historically significant because it is connected with local parishioner and Melbourne industrialist, George Pizzey, who bequeathed funds for its construction. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. National Estate Ntionl Trust of Australia (Victoria) Local significance Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p85 References: St Johns Anglican Church complex, Sunday School and Parish Hall 61 Main Street DIAMOND CREEK, NILLUMBIK SHIRE. (2023, June 7). Retrieved from https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/64023 Diamond Creek, VIC. – St John’s Anglican (2023, June 7). Retrieved from https://www.churchhistories.net.au/church-catalog/diamond-creek-vic-st-johns-anglican This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, st john's anglican church, diamond creek, parish hall

Black and white photo of L - R : Mitcham Railway Station (at rear)|Teacher's Residence, St.John's Catholic Church|and Mitcham's First Police Station..(The 'great three chain road' in the foreground is now Maroondah Highway - see annotated photograph on north wall of Local History Room)wright, syd, mitcham railway station, st. john's catholic church, mitcham, mitcham police station

Coloured photo of St.John's Catholic Church, Mitcham, Eucharistic Chapel Plaque.st. john's catholic church, mitcham

Coloured photo of Exterior of Eucharistic Chapel, St.John's Catholic Church, Mitcham.st. john's catholic church, mitcham

Coloured photo of Fr. K. Dillon in Eucharistic Chapel, St.John's Catholic Church, Mitcham.dillon, kevin joseph, fr., st. john's catholic church, mitcham

Weatherboard church at Port Albertport albert, church, st john's anglican church port albert

Colour photograph of a white weatherboard house.digby, st john's anglican church, digby, church

Weatherboard church in Forrest.st john's anglican church, forrest, weatherboard

1960s, ballarat, church, st johns, soldiers hill

1960s, ballarat, church, st johns, soldiers hill

A two page document which is the monthly bulletin for St. John's Forest Street, Bendigo. It covers the church calendar for October, 1964, various church activities, the monthly duty roster and a white elephant sale advertisement. It also includes the Stewardship Financial Report by the Treasurer. The Church Pastor responsible for publishing the report is H.V. Jenkin. Item is part of the Mr. Ken Hesse Collection donated by Mr. James Lerk.church, celebration, presbyterian church forest st bendigo, ken hesse collection, collection, bendigo, christianity, religions, bulletin, history, organisation, st. john's bendigo

A newspaper article titled 'Winner of Church Choir Contest.' A photo of members of St.John's, Forest Street, Presbyterian Choir which gained first place in a contest raising money for the Methodist Babies' Home Appeal. Mr. A. Anderson was the conductor. Item part of Mr. Ken Hesse Collection donated by Mr. James Lerk.church, celebration, presbyterian church forest st bendigo, ken hesse collection, collection, newspaper, choir, singing, music, contest, competition

"It has been decided by the managing body of St. John's Church of England to erect a war memorial to commemorate the thirty brave men of the congregation who have given their lives at the front, and the 98 men whom they expect to welcome home again. The memorial will cost from £250 to £300 to complete in its entirety, and active steps have been taken to raise the amount amongst the members and adherents of the church. ... The sanctuary panels will be placed on each side of the altar, and will become the permanent Honor Roll by having the names of the soldiers and nurses who enlisted from the congregation inscribed thereon.The whole scheme when completed will be a noble monument to the loyalty, response to duty, and self-sacrifice of the members of the church who enlisted, and will in years to come remind the worshippers of the response of the young members of the congregation to the call of our Empire in her great need. (Camperdown Chronicle, 20 March 1919) LocationPhotograph of a timber World War One Honour Board at St John's Anglican Church, Colac. Plaster 'Station of the Cross' on either side of the honour board are by Mattei brothers. st john's colac, colac, world war one, world war one honour board, mattei brothers

Used by donor in 'Blackburn - a picturesque history'Black & white photo of St John's Anglican Church, Queen Street, 1977st johns anglican church blackburn

Produced as one of a series of 24 prints commissioned by Nunawading & District Historical Society -|Theme: Intersections of Mitcham and Nunawading 2000/2001.|See also Series by P. Simmenauer on the same theme.Black and white photograph - print and negative of St. John's Catholic Church in Whitehorse Road, Mitcham, with Nativity Scene.paperst.john's catholic church mitcham, whitehorse road, mitcham

At some stage in the photo’s timeline it had information written on the back. It was stuck down, then later removed leaving residue all over the writing making it essentially impossible to read. With the photo was a handwritten note which has been verified is what can be made out on the back of the photo. This note appears to be written to Nellie by Annie Sweeney of Culla Hill, Eltham. Annie died in 1869 at age 21 so the photo must predate 1869 and is consistent with it most likely being the wedding day of John and Ellen (Nellie) Sweeney, November 10, 1868."To Dear Nellie Annie Sweeney With fondest love from your E. de Nc Annie la Sweeney Culla Hill Eltham, Victoria"annie sweeney, culla hill, eltham, ellen mary sweeney (nee kenney), john francis sweeney

Colour photographnillumbik, chute street, post office, diamond creek

Black & white photographnillumbik, chute street, post office, diamond creek

Black & white photographnillumbik, chute street, post office, diamond creek

Black & white photographnillumbik, chute street, post office, diamond creek