Historical information

The site on the corner of Thompson Avenue and Church Street, Cowes was reserved on the 12th April 1869 and the church was erected by the end of the year. Financed by the Island Church of England people. Dean McCartney preached the first sermon and performed the dedication service on 30th January 1870. Prior to this time services were held at the McHaffie homestead, Ventnor. Mrs S D (Georgianna) McHaffie, wife of the first European settlers, wrote in her diary "30th January 1870. Drove to Cowes, opened the Church, fine day". the large Bible presented by her is on loan and displayed in the Museum of the Phillip Island & District Historical Society.

Physical description

The timber Anglican Church of St Philips was built by Alex McLardy Sen. in 1869. It is still situated in Thompson Avenue on the corner of Church Street. The Vestry was added by Mr Alex McLardy in 1903 at the cost of 21 pounds. In 1912 a Sanctuary was added to the church and a Memorial Stained Glass Window donated by Miss Rose in memory of her father and two brothers was installed.