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Historic Marriage Records Preserved by the PMHPS

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The original Church of England in the Borough of Sandridge was established in a tent on the corner of Bay and Graham Streets in 1854. It was reported in the Church of England Messenger of 1854 that ‘…a commodious tent, we’ll fitted up, has been opened for Divine Service on Sundays and for a school during the week.’

To replace the tent, an iron church building, manufactured in Bristol, was brought out to Australia in thousands of pieces and erected in December 1855. The PMHPS now holds the inventory of all these pieces along with the church’s marriage records from 1855 to 1963.

When the iron church blew down in 1909, a new Church was built in 1913 and Holy Trinity became a landmark until the church building was sold to developers who incorporated it into a block of apartments.

At this time the PMHPS realised the historical significance to Port Melbourne of the Holy Trinity records and sought permission to preserve and incorporate them into the PMHPS collection.

These wonderful registers recording so many marriages in Port Melbourne have also been incorporated in the PortPeople family history database which can be viewed at the PMHPS in the Port Melbourne Town Hall.

Wedding at Holy Trinity, Port Melbourne in 1960 (PMHPS Collection)
Wedding at Holy Trinity, Port Melbourne in 1960 (PMHPS Collection)

References

Bride, Margaret and Graham, The Borough and its People ,PMHPS 2013

6 Comments

  • Grace
    Posted September 17, 2017 4.05 pm 0Likes

    My great grandfather was married in this church in 1886. Does anyone know if there are any images of the original iron church?

    • Janet Bolitho
      Posted September 18, 2017 12.01 pm 0Likes

      Hi Grace,
      Yes, we have images of the iron church in our collection. To celebrate the founding of the church in 2014, an exhibition was created. Here is an image on this website promoting that exhibition. (search by Holy Trinity and you’ll find other records as well)

  • Rodney Ellis
    Posted January 10, 2019 12.04 pm 0Likes

    My great grandmother, Annie Ruth Morgan (in 1881) and her sister, Letitia Conway Ellen Morgan, (in 1880) were baptised in this church. I am interested in seeing inside the church at a time when it’s not involved in normal services.
    Does the church remain open at times during the day or is it usually locked?

  • David Thompson
    Posted January 11, 2019 10.56 am 0Likes

    Hi Rodney,
    The main church building was converted into apartments some time ago and the church now runs out of the former Church Hall, next door to the manse in Bay Street. Rev Noel Whale is rebuilding congregation and always leaves inspirational messages on the blackboard at the front of the church. You can find more information on the church website at https://holytrinityportmelb.org.au.

  • Beryl Patullo
    Posted June 27, 2021 4.06 pm 0Likes

    My parents were married in this church 1937 and I and my brother were baptised there. As well as my aunt and cousin.

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Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians

We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet and work, the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation and pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.