Ivanhoe Presbyterian Church

A prime piece of real estate in Noel Street, Ivanhoe (now part of Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School) was donated to the Ivanhoe Presbyterian Church by Mr R. W. Kennedy of “Ravenswood”, Lower Heidelberg Road in December 1914. It was “of sufficiently large dimensions to serve the cause for all time”.

The church which was founded in 1908, was re-located from its original site in Ivanhoe Parade to Noel Street in July 1917.

The foundation stone for the new church was laid on Saturday 15 October 1927.  Construction began on this fine red building of clinker bricks with cement mouldings, the door and window jambs, stone colour.  The main entrance is through an arched portico with lobbies on either side.  In addition, porch entrances are provided on each side towards the back.  Seating was designed to cater for 325 people.  The church was built at a cost of £5500 and designed by architects Messrs R.M. and M.H. King, Royal Bank Chambers, Melbourne.

The Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) was established on 22 June 1977 when most congregations of the Methodist Church of Australasia, about two thirds of the Presbyterian Church of Australia and some other churches came together.

IGGS purchased the property in 1997 and renamed the building Hillsley.  The name Hillsley comes from the old School House (a gracious Victorian homestead) on Upper Heidelberg Rd that fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1967.

Hillsley was opened as the new Visual Arts and Health and Hospitality Complex by Dame Elizabeth Murdoch in 2001 She was in her 90’s and her speech is still remembered today. The school has preserved the architecture and the stained glass windows in the redevelopment.

Photo: HH0082 Heidelberg Historical Society in partnership with Yarra Plenty Regional Library.

Sources: “NEW IVANHOE CHURCH.” The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957) 19 October 1927: 23. Web. 30 Oct 2019 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3886105>.

“IVANHOE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.” Heidelberg News and Greensborough and Diamond Creek Chronicle (Vic. : 1914 – 1916) 26 December 1914: 2. Web. 30 Oct 2019 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article89085626>.