eHive Object Details

Name/TitleScots' Church, Collins Street, Melbourne, c. 1875

About this objectThis photograph of Scots' Church, which is located on the north-west corner of Russell and Collins streets, has been taken from the east and south-side of Collins Street.

The east facade of the church including the east transept is shown, with the entrance porch at the base of the slender pointed tower, which at 210 feet was the highest point in the city for many years.

As the Presbyterian congregation grew in numbers, led by the Scottish born Rev. James Forbes, it was decided a larger church was needed. The experienced local architects Reed & Barnes were engaged in 1869. The foundation stone was laid in 1873 and the church, constructed by David Mitchell, opened in 1874. The style is "decorated Gothic".

The photograph includes, in the foreground on the right, the entrance and tower of Independent Church, which is located on the opposite corner of Russell Street, also designed by Reed and Barnes (see GS-BCS-23).

In the lower left of the photograph is the back view of the Burke & Wills Memorial, which was placed at the crossroads of Russell and Collins streets on 21st April, 1865. However, an increase in traffic and the laying of tram tracks required that the statue be relocated in 1886.

Beyond the Burke & Wills Monument, descending down Collins Street, can be seen the Baptist Chapel, completed in 1862, the Melbourne Athenaeum, built in 1839, and the clock tower of Melbourne Town Hall, opened in 1870.

One of the many glass slides purchased from retailers or specifically made for illustrated lectures given by Isaac Selby between c. 1930 and c. 1955 to raise money for the Old Pioneers Memorial Fund.

For more information about this image contact Royal Historical Society of Victoria

MakerNettleton, Charles, 1826–1902

Maker RolePhotographer

MakerGunn's Slides (Firm)

Maker RoleSlide Maker

Measurements8.2 x 8.2 cm

Period1870-1880

Object TypePhotograph

Subject and Association KeywordsSelby, Isaac, 1859-1956

Subject and Association KeywordsReed, Joseph, 1823?-1890.

Subject and Association KeywordsReed and Barnes (Architects)

Subject and Association KeywordsChurch buildings

Subject and Association KeywordsCollins Street (Melbourne, Vic.)

Subject and Association KeywordsMonuments and memorials

Subject and Association KeywordsScots' Church (Melbourne, Vic.)

Subject and Association KeywordsBurke and Wills Memorial

Named CollectionImages collection

Object numberGS-BCS-28

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved