ONE of the most recognisable landmarks in Mount Eliza, the white, heritage listed Anglican Church of St James the Less on Nepean Highway opposite Peninsula Grammar, celebrated its 160th birthday this month.
Over 110 people celebrated the event at a special service in the main, larger church on Sunday 12 October. The celebrations continued in the Pioneer Hall with lunch and a music performance by the Mornington Brass Band.
The historic church was built in 1865 on the site given for church purposes by Edward Linott, an early pioneer of the district. Until the church was erected, services were held in a little wooden schoolhouse which was too small for those attending.
The church was heritage listed in August 2000 and is still used for regular weekday services, baptisms and weddings. It is recognised for some of the finest stained glass on the peninsula as well as the murals in the sanctuary. The murals were painted by the renowned artist Violet Teague in 1931 and are considered by Heritage Victoria to be aesthetically significant for the scale of the work and their unique representation of the Nativity.
With the assistance of the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Community Support Grants program, the church is in the process of adding an access ramp to enable better access to those with walking aids, enabling the expanded use of the church.
Guests at the celebrations included Anglican Bishop Paul Barker, Shire Councillor Stephen Batty and the member for Mornington, Chris Crewther MLA.
First published in the Mornington News – 21 October 2025
