Restoration Appeal
Saint John’s has served the Malvern East community for over 125 years. It is rightly proud of its history. The challenge now is to ensure this legacy continues for generations to come. Those who have gone before us have given us a wonderful gift of a beautiful Church. It falls to us now to preserve this sanctuary for those who will follow in our footsteps.
The Parish Church
Saint John’s has been an iconic landmark in Malvern East since 1888. The current church has been unaltered for over 90 years and is a place of immense historical, religious and community significance. It is a classified building in the Register of the National Trust of Australia (Victoria),
Saint John’s Stone Veneer
Like many other buildings in the late nineteenth century, Saint John’s is constructed of Barrabool stone mined from the Geelong area. This stone gives our church its unmistakably beautiful sandstone finish, however it has been found to corrode with age. The surface of the stone flakes easily, leading to portions of the surface breaking away. It is also a porous rock, allowing damp to permeate the inner wall linings, and hence into the church itself. Untouched, the stone will decay to a point where the entire building is unsafe.
What Needs To Be Done?
Steps must be taken now to replace the corroded Barrabool stone and undertake preventative measures to protect the building from further damage. We need your help to ensure St. John’s continues to remain safe. The following work needs to be undertaken immediately
- Rectify the most pressing deterioration on the bell tower
- Repair facade of the west wall and arrest further flaking
- Repair the sagging East transept wall and its exterior façade
How Much Will It Cost?
The total cost of the restoration is over S3.5million. The most immediate work on the Bell Tower will cost $350,000 to complete. Your support will help us to ensure Saint John’s heritage of worship and community service continues for years to come.
How You Can Help Saint John’s
Saint John’s needs your help to restore and maintain its historic Church building. Assistance can be provided in a number of forms, including by
- Making a personal donation
- Organising a fundraising event
- Making a Corporate donation
- Helping with advertising and fundraising costs
- Sponsoring a specific section of work on the building
- Making a Bequest to the Restoration Appeal
Donations to the Appeal are tax-deductible through the National Trust of Australia (Victoria),
For further information or to make a donation, please contact
The Saint John’s Building Restoration Appeal
5 Finch Street
Malvern East VIC 3145
Telephone (03) 95716616
Email secretary@saintjohns.org.au
