Description

How does a 143-year-old building shaped for nineteenth-century sensibilities shape itself to invite participation, care and connection? Although St Columb’s retains its history proudly, it is not a museum and has needed to reshape and adapt in order to engage with and support its local community.

St Columb’s Church, Hawthorn, built in 1883, is a beautiful Gothic Revival bluestone building with a fine collection of stained-glass windows by important companies such as Brooks Robinson and William Montgomery, which reflect the culture and values of the wider community of the time. It also has both historic connections to people in the development of Melbourne and a local narrative around a period of rapid growth of Hawthorn. Its site encompasses other public and private buildings with their own style, history and purpose.

What's On

Come in and view the church building, which will be open to visitors, and see a slide show or items from the archive on display.

There will also be a guided tours of the building's highlights. Experienced guides will be available to answer questions throughout open hours. The Prodigal Hub community space and café will be open.

Children's Activities

An "I Spy" activity will be available for children.
There is a pre-school playground on site.