ST. THOMAS AQUINAS' CHURCH

St. Thomas Aquinas is located at 43 Bromby Street, South Yarra, just five minutes walk from the Royal Botanic Gardens behind picturesque Melbourne Grammar School and a short distance from the Royce Hotel on St. Kilda Road.  The church was originally built as a small chapel and opened on 21st February, 1915.  The building was reconstructed in 1954 and given a Spanish Baroque facade.  Today the exterior is painted white with highlights of dark blue tiling and paintwork. 

The interior of the church is quite traditional with a central aisle and despite its intimate feel, seats 200 in wooden pews.  Currently the interior is painted cream and the carpeting is red.  The church is lit by hanging wrought iron prism shaped lanterns.  The sanctuary is dominated by the original altar in dark stained wood.  The lead light windows are of a modest design.

There is a small organ which is available to experienced organists.  St. Thomas Aquinas has two organists/pianists who are available for weddings and other services.  The church does have an audio system but this is not available for private use.  Wedding parties may organise their own musicians and bring their own audio equipment.  The church has disabled access.  Basic ladies and gents facilities are available in an adjacent outdoor toilet block.  No on-site parking is available.  There is a small lawn area at the rear of the church.

Church Opening Times: St Thomas' Church is open on Sundays from 8.30am to 12.00pm (unless there are baptisms or weddings to follow), closed on Saturdays (unless there are weddings) and on Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm. For Mass times see the Mass Times page.

HISTORY

A Chapel of Ease was erected and opened on 21st February at 48 Bromby Street in 1915 for a combined cost of 3,200 pounds. The chapel was reconstructed and blessed by Archbishop Mannix on 30th September 1954. It was decorated with a Spanish Baroque facade and incorporated the original red brick building. In its earlier years the chapel had been known for a time as the “servants’ church”.

In 1976 the administration of the parish was entrusted to the Order of St. Augustine by Archbishop Francis Little, a strange quirk of fate given that the first priest had himself received his early education from the same religious order over 100 years previously.

(Interior of St. Thomas' Church circa 1970.)