Welcome

For a virtual tour of St. John’s, please click here.

St. John’s is open for Sunday services

St. John’s is open (currently on Sundays only) with a maximum permitted number at each service of 170 until further notice. All are warmly welcome!

Please note COVID-safe guidelines: carry a mask at all times and wear inside when required; sign in before entering the church by using the QR code (this is preferred) or paper register if you do not have a phone; use hand sanitiser; maintain 1.5m distance unless in a family unit. Please do not attend services if you show any symptoms or are vulnerable. If you show any symptoms, please get tested.

During January there is one service, at 10am. Sermons are recorded and are available on our website under ‘Worship’ and ‘Sermons’. Previous sermons and services are available on our YouTube channel.

This week's Pewsheet

Pastoral Services

Weddings

St. John’s has developed a comprehensive wedding package that arises out of long experience of hosting many weddings, including those of celebrities and prominent Melburnians. St. John’s is privileged to be the church of choice for many.

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Baptism & Confirmation

Baptism marks the beginning of a journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives. It is a first step we take in response to God’s love, for all involved, particularly the candidates but also parents, godparents and sponsors.

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Funerals

For over 160 years, St. John’s has been the venue for many funeral and memorial services celebrating the lives of all manner of people. The staff and clergy are well used to preparing and leading services of this nature.

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Children & Families

Children's Ministry

Children of all ages are always welcome at St. John’s.

Normally every Sunday, there is a children’s talk early in our worship together. We hold Sunday School in a safe designated room on Sundays during the sermon time of the 10am worship (except for school holidays and long weekends). All activities are supervised by adults who hold current Working With Children Checks. Parents are welcome to attend these sessions or to enjoy the service in the Church.

St. John’s also has a dedicated Children’s Corner in the church. It is a safe, comfortable space for children and parents to enjoy, complete with toys, books, cushions, and a quiet area for reading.

St. John’s is a child-safe church. We have a zero tolerance of any behaviours that may harm children. On this website you will find policies and procedures that inform our practices in child safety. You will find these documents under ‘About Us’. If you wish to make a report, please contact the Director of Professional Standards at Kooyoora.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge that St. John’s Toorak is on the traditional land of the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri people and offer our respects to elders past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect the cultural heritage of this land and the ongoing work of reconciliation.

Buxton Hall

The Buxton Memorial Hall at St. John’s Toorak is available for hire as a location for drinks and canapes and finger foods etc. after a wedding and before the reception, for a wake following a funeral, or for after Baptims refreshments.

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Church Staff

The Revd Dr Peter French

Vicar

Peter was appointed to St. John's in February of 2016, having returned to Melbourne from almost a decade in the USA, where he served principally as Chaplain to Princeton University for 8 years. For the Diocese of Melbourne Peter serves on Archbishop in Council and the Prevention of Violence Against Women Program. More broadly he is a member of the Council of St. Catherine's School, Toorak, and is a founding member of the Grief Group with The Mental Health Foundation Australia. For more information, please see below.

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Ms Sally Robertson

Parish Administrator & PA to the Vicar

Sally manages the busy parish office and is also personal assistant to the Vicar of the parish. Sally handles all enquiries of a general nature.

The Revd Keiron Jones

Assistant Curate

Keiron was ordained deacon at St. Paul's Cathedral in early 2020 and priest at St. John's Toorak later in the year, where she is currently serving as Assistant Curate.

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Mr Christopher Cook

Director of Music & Parish Organist

Christopher graduated in piano & organ from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in 1983 and has worked in the music and education professions variously as teacher, performer, conductor, musical director & more.

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St. John’s Toorak History

The foundation of St. John’s Toorak can be traced back to a meeting hosted by Mr. H. W. Dauglish in his Heyington Place home (now part of St Catherine’s School) in November 1859. It was resolved at this meeting to appoint trustees and commence subscriptions for the building of a church in Toorak. Within months, one of the six trustees appointed at that first meeting, Mr. Alfred Ross, had donated sufficient land from his property ‘Orrong’ for the site of the church and over £1500 had been raised.

The newly appointed government architect, William Wardell, was contracted to build the new church on its present site in the early English Gothic style. Wardell also designed and built St Patrick’s Roman Catholic cathedral in East Melbourne. In April 1860 the Governor of the colony of Victoria, Sir Henry Barkly, laid the foundation stone and building commenced.

Following a delay caused by some difficulty in separating the new parish of Toorak from the existing parish of South Yarra, St. John’s Toorak was opened for worship, again by Sir Henry Barkly, in July 1862. As the first vicar, the Revd Walter Fellowes, was still in transit from England, the first service was led by Dr Bromby, the first Headmaster of Melbourne Grammar School.

Download the Guide to St. John the Evangelist Toorak