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Evolution of St Matthews (Olinda) & St Michael's (Kalorama)

The early history of the Church of England services at Mount Dandenong has been closely associated with that of St. Matthew’s, Olinda. However, St. Matthew’s was neither Olinda’s first church, nor was it the venue of Olinda’s first Anglican service. The first church was a Methodist church in “Mernda” (off Coonara Road), built by a wonderful pioneer, Mrs. Mary Ann Warner.

Services at Olinda were first held on 2nd June 1901 worshippers had gathered at the two-roomed cottage of John Thomas (the maternal grandfather of Mr. Allan Dodd) on “Bunkers Hill”, on top of the present Olinda Crescent. At those early services members of the congregation sat on planks placed across upturned raspberry buckets. Music was provided by Joseph Guthman, a native of the Rhineland, and an accomplished cellist. Old Mr. Thomas himself, with his fine voice, led the singing. There was a very good congregation and within 3 years Olinda had it's first church - St. Matthew’s dedicated on 9th July 1903. In 1935 The parish purchased the old "Mernda" Church and relocated it to Olinda to serve as St Matthews Hall.

The first services at Mount Dandenong were held in 1903 at the home of Mrs. Taggart in Falls Road. This is now “Namoora Guest House”. Mrs. Woolrich was present at these services as a girl. She cannot remember the text of the sermon, but she has a vivid recol­lection of the smell of parsnips being roasted for the family’s dinner! Services in the Mount Dandenong continued to be conducted in private houses then the Mount Dandenong State School until about 1920 the Parish purchased Farndon’s Hall in Falls Road, Kalorama. Many improvements were made to the Hall, including a Sanc­tuary, which was dedicated by Archbishop Head on 5th September 1931. Twenty years later the church of St. Michael and All Angels was built in Kalorama and dedicated on the 28th November 1940. St Michael's gained it's own hall on the 25th September 1965.