St John’s Diamond Creek was built on gold,  at least  it was gold which provided the impetus for its establishment.

The first recorded  Church of England services were conducted by the Rev. Francis Hales who came out from Heidelberg on horseback to conduct services in William Wilson’s barn.

Because his area of responsibility included Heidelberg, Coburg, Kinglake, Arthurs Creek.  St Andrews, Kangaroo Ground and Diamond Creek, it is not surprising that his visits were few and far between, especially as one description said  “he was loved by his people,  but  was not strong in health”

In 1860 Diamond Creek came under the jurisdiction of the Eltham parish - with the Rev R Mackie, and then the Rev Josiah Hollis as vicars.

Up to the mid 1860’s the 20 families of Diamond Creek were small, struggling farmers, however in 1862 that began to change, because gold was found at the top of the hill overlooking the town.

This caused the population to grow rapidly. At its peak the gold mine employed 200 men, which meant up to 200 families, supported by the necessary infrastructure of civil administration and shopkeepers.

The growth in the number of Church of England worshippers prompted a petition to be submitted to the Government in 1866, for the reservation of land for Church of England purposes. The area chosen, on which the original building still stands, was situated at the centre of the proposed township, on a high hill, and on the road leading into the town from Melbourne. One of the reasons for the exceptional growth of the church today is its conspicuous location.

The building was designed by Charles Maplestone, son-in-law to Anthony Beale of St Helena.   Maplestone was a prominent architect who came out to Australia with his family in 1852, and went on to design the Gabo Island and Cape Schanck lighthouses, as well as the Diamond Creek Church of England and the Presbyterian Church at Kangaroo Ground.

As can be imagined, the small population of about 80 people had a struggle to finance the building of the church, indeed although the foundation stone was laid by Mrs Isabella Maplestone on 11th November 1867, another three years were to pass before sufficient money could be raised for its completion.

It was opened by Bishop Perry on 1st November, 1870.

The structure itself, much of which is still intact, was built of hand made bricks, with a very traditional rectangular plan of central nave and sanctuary at the end.    The original building is noted for its bi-chrome brick construction, timber ceilings and stained glass windows by Ferguson and Urie.

The parish faced varying fortunes over the next 40 years, depending largely on the fluctuating fortunes of the gold mine,  and although fruit growing began to offer an alternative source of income,  the church struggled to remain viable.

In 1909, in spite of financial difficulties, the brave Anglicans of Diamond Creek agreed to separate from Eltham, and with Greensborough, form a separate parish. The difficulties of the new parish were made worse when the gold mine was destroyed by fire in 1915, and the majority of workmen lost their income, and then by the privations of World War One.

Some encouragement was given when, in 1916, the estate of George Martin Pizzey left sufficient money to build the fine red brick hall, which still stands today.

In 1924 the Greensborough congregation decided to separate from Diamond Creek, but the depression of the 1930’s forced the re-amalgamation of the two centres.  

After the Second World War the whole district began to change. Improved roads and more reliable motorcars made it possible for local residents to commute to the city. Orchards and farms which were struggling to provide a living, became much sought after for domestic building, and land after the war was comparatively cheap.

The 1950’s began decades of growth, Roman Catholic and Uniting Churches began re-building programs, new schools were erected in the district, and older schools extended, and St John’s membership grew.

At various stages of parochial development we have been responsible for the congregations at Hazel gle, Hurstbridge, Panton Hill, Montmorency, Yallambie, St Helena and Yarrambat.   Today the parish includes St Helena and Yarrambat only. This has led to an ecumenical feeling between congregations within our own fellowship, and with other denominations of the district.

The growing population of the district, the unique situation of our site,  and above all,  the prayers and enthusiasm of  people and priest,  has resulted in St John’s Diamond Creek becoming  one of the fastest growing congregations in Melbourne.

The little old building could not hold the regular congregation, so that three building programs were undertaken. In 1989 toilet block, offices and kitchen extensions were added at a cost of $150,000.  In 1993 major Church extension cost $427,000, and in 1996 a new Vicarage was erected at a cost of $190,000.

At the same time the nature of church worship was changing, growing awareness of the importance of lay people in worship and pastoral ministry led to a very large involvement of worshippers, and the design of the new Church emphasised corporate worship and fellowship.

Today both St Katherine’s St Helena, and St Michael’s Yarrambat have active congregations, St Johns has very well attended services,  led by either  of two orchestras,  organisations  catering for all age groups,  and a growing staff of specialists to provide  direction and co-ordination.

St. John's, Diamond Creek

St. John's Diamond Creek before the 1967 restoration