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St Margaret’s Church was opened and dedicated
in 1861 and is Eltham’s oldest intact church
building. St Margaret’s Church was built by
prominent local builder George Stebbing, who
was also responsible for the construction of
the Uniting (former Methodist) church and
Shillinglaw Cottage.
This church was the first polychromatic brick
church in Australia and architect Nathaniel
Billing was one of the first architects to
introduce polychrome brickwork into
Melbourne. This church is in the gothic revival
tradition with a buttressed nave, paired lancet
windows, porch and bell-cote. The beautiful
stained glass window (1861) now sited in the
north wall of the modern extension was made
in Port Phillip District (Victoria) by Urie and
Ferguson. It is one of the oldest in the state.
The crucifix is a commissioned work by local
artist Matcham Skipper. St Margaret’s Church,
together with its 1870 vicarage, is heritage listed
and both are significant buildings in Eltham.
Combined into this panel is the sweet scented
chocolate lily or
Dichopogon strictus
—
appropriately named due to the scent of the
flowers which resembles chocolate, caramel
or vanilla.
Church
AND CHOCOLATE LILY
PHOTOGRAPH
St Margaret’s Church
Photographer Jim Connor
(Eltham District Historical Society)
INFORMATION
Dr Geoffrey Sandy
Marshall, Marguerite.
Nillumbik Now andThen
(2008)