St John's Theological College, Melbourne

St John's Theological College, Melbourne was an Australian educational institution in Melbourne, established in 1906 and which closed in 1919. It trained candidates for ordination in the Church of England in Australia.

History

The college took over buildings formerly occupied by a private school, Cumloden College, located at 195-201 Alma Road, St Kilda East. The college opened in 1906.[1] The future Bishop of Bathurst (1911–28) and Newcastle (1928-30), George Long was offered the position of Warden on the establishment of the college, but declined.[2] St John's had a focus on training non-graduates for ordination.[3] The college was Anglo-Catholic, and was closed in 1919 for churchmanship reasons in the Diocese of Melbourne, the evangelical Ridley College having opened in 1910.[4] After the college closed, the buildings were sold, and demolished.[5]

The nearby Anglo-Catholic St James the Great, St Kilda East began as a small community worshipping in the college chapel.

Wardens

• Reginald Stephen, 1906–14. Concurrently Dean of Melbourne, 1910–14; Bishop of Tasmania, 1914–19; Bishop of Newcastle, 1919–28.[6]
• John Stephen Hart, 1914–19. Dean of Melbourne, 1919–27; Bishop of Wangaratta, 1927–42.[7]

Notable Alumni

• Martin Boyd, novelist, brother of Merric Boyd. Boyd did not proceed to ordination.[8]
• Merric Boyd, artist, brother of Martin Boyd. Boyd did not proceed to ordination.[9]
• Fr John Hope, Rector of Christ Church St Laurence, Sydney, 1926–64
• Rt Rev William Johnson, Dean of Newcastle, 1928–36; Bishop of Ballarat, 1936–60.[10]
• Fr Gerard Tucker, founder of the Brotherhood of St Laurence and the Food for Peace Campaign

See also

• Australian College of Theology
• Moore Theological College
• Trinity College Theological School

References

1. "St Kilda Historical Society: Cumloden College". Retrieved 7 January 2021.
2. "Australian Virtual War Memorial: George Merrick Long". Retrieved 7 January 2021.
3. "Australian Dictionary of Biography: "John Stephen Hart"". Retrieved 7 January 2021.
4. "Australian Dictionary of Biography: "John Stephen Hart"". Retrieved 7 January 2021.
5. "St Kilda Historical Society: Cumloden College". Retrieved 7 January 2021.
6. "Australian Dictionary of Biography: "Reginald Stephen"". Retrieved 7 January 2021.
7. "Australian Dictionary of Biography: "John Stephen Hart"". Retrieved 7 January 2021.
8. Commonwealth Literature: "Martin Boyd", (2016: MacMillan), p 38.
9. "Design & Art Australia Online: Merric Boyd". Retrieved 7 January 2021.
10. "Australian Virtual War Memorial: William Herbert Johnson". Retrieved 7 January 2021.