St Michaels on Collins Street

St Michaels on Collins Street in the centre of Melbourne has a very unusual pew area which is well worth a visit............

............I first came across this church some years ago when I saw a sign outside advertising a free lunchtime organ concert.............

.............The room is like a high quality Victorian theatre with a central stage area surrounded by a semi-circular pew areas with seats rising upwards to the rear so everybody can get a good view...........

............It was built in 1867 though and was very radical for it’s time and it's now a Heritage Listed Building.

Tours are given of this room by church volunteers most days Monday to Fridays between 10.30am and 1pm...........

..............You need to watch out though because some days they don’t open if there isn't more than one volunteer available. I’m told this is fairly rare but I've been there a few times expecting it to be open to check it out and it was all locked up..........

.............If they are open there’ll be a signboard outside advertising the Free Tour – like the photo alongside!!.

Graeme was the guide who showed me round and told me the history of the church............

............He knew a lot about it which was good as I’ve built up a lot of knowledge about Melbourne through doing this website and it’s nice to still learn new things.

This church was built in 1866/67, designed by Joseph Reed who also designed the State Library of Victoria, the gorgeous Royal Exhibition Building and Melbourne Town Hall among others............

............The chapel which was first built on this site in 1839, is reputed to have been the first permanent building in Melbourne which was actually constructed as a church. It was demolished to make way for this church.

As well as the free half hour organ recitals at 1pm on Thursdays, St Michaels have a ‘Wellbeing’ programme that offers various other free events............

.............At the time of writing they have free ‘after work’ yoga sessions, meditation, guided deep relaxation, a monthly men’s group meeting, a monthly poetry group, a writers group, French lessons, a walking group and ipad lessons............

............Check out www.centreforwellbeing.org.au for an updated list of current Wellbeing events.

You’ll find St Michaels at 120 Collins Street, Melbourne.

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