The History of St John’s, Soldiers Hill
For more than 150 years, St John’s Anglican Church has stood as a place of worship, welcome, and Christian witness on Soldiers Hill.
Our story is one of faithfulness — shaped by generations of parishioners who prayed, served, gave, built, and trusted in God.
St John’s remains, to this day, a living sign of God’s presence in the Ballarat community.
A Parish Rooted in Ballarat’s Beginnings
Founded in the 1870s, St John’s grew alongside the early development of Soldiers Hill and the wider Ballarat region.
As the city expanded during and after the gold rush era, a church was needed to serve the families who lived north of the railway line.
St John’s became that spiritual home.
Consecrated in 1874, the church soon became known for its:
- beautiful yet simple timber interior
- sacramental and prayerful worship
- commitment to parish life
- warm pastoral care for the local community
The Anglo-Catholic Tradition in Ballarat
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Anglo-Catholic movement grew within the Anglican Church of Australia.
St John’s embraced this pathway — emphasising reverent liturgy, the beauty of holiness, and the central place of the Eucharist.
For generations, the parish:
- maintained a strong liturgical life
- cultivated a deep love for the sacraments
- supported choirs, servers, and altar guilds
- offered pastoral care to local families
- formed young people in Christian faith
This tradition continues today: prayerful, beautiful, and centred on Christ.
A Community Shaped by Service
The parish has long been supported by the generous ministry of lay people:
- the Mothers’ Union
- the Op Shop volunteers
- parish councils and wardens
- servers, readers, intercessors, and musicians
- those who quietly offered acts of kindness and service
Together they built the parish community we know today.
Moments of Joy and Moments of Challenge
Across 150 years, St John’s has known celebrations and sorrows, baptisms and funerals, growth and decline, ordinary days and holy days.
Through every season, the parish remained faithful in:
- gathering for worship
- praying for the world
- caring for the vulnerable
- offering belonging to those needing community
This continuity is one of St John’s greatest strengths.
Looking to the Future
As St John’s enters its next 150 years, we continue to cherish our heritage while embracing new opportunities for mission and ministry.
We look ahead with:
- gratitude for the past
- commitment to the present
- hope for what God is doing in the future of Soldiers Hill
St John’s remains what it has always been — a humble, faithful community seeking to follow Christ in worship and service.
Anglican Men’s Society (AMS)
A fellowship of faith and service that shaped parish life for decades.
Anglican Women’s Guild
A powerhouse of hospitality, fundraising, and parish care in its time.
Mothers’ Union
An organisation with a long history of
supporting families, prayer, and fellowship.
Girls Friendly Society (GFS) – Townsend Group
Generations of girls formed in
friendship, faith, and service.
Ghost Stories of St John’s
Local folklore and curious tales from
more than a century of parish life.
The Memorial Gardens
A place of prayer, remembrance, and peace.
The Lych Gate
A historic symbol of welcome and rest,
marking the threshold of sacred space.
Our PNG Connection
A meaningful relationship linking St John’s
to our Pacific neighbours.
St John’s Place – The Must Homes
How the parish’s land and buildings
continue to serve community needs.
“We thank you, O Lord, for all your servants
who have worshipped in this place.”
May all who enter St John’s today find the same welcome, prayer, and peace that have sustained generations before us.