About us
History
Anglican services were held in Box Hill from 1883 in a small brick church on the corner of Frankcom St and Whitehorse Rd. On 18 September 1889 the Bishop of Melbourne, Field Flowers Goe, laid the foundation stone on this site and the little church was transported to the site that year. It was replaced by a much larger wooden church, with a spire, in 1908, with the original church being used as a Hall. Much of this wooden building was destroyed in a fire in 1943, and a second fire in 1949 razed the rebuilt church to the ground.
Leading Melbourne church architect Louis Williams provided the designs for the current Peace Memorial Church, the first stage of which was completed in 1951, and the second stage in 1971. In 2006 an addition with space for offices and meetings was designed by Fred Batterton at the North end of the church. With windows on to Whitehorse Rd replacing the former blank façade.
Music at St. Peter’s
Music holds a cherished place in the life of our parish. In the Anglican tradition, sacred music is not entertainment but an offering to Almighty God, lifting our hearts and minds to his glory. Our aim is to uphold the dignity and reverence worthy of Christian worship.
The parish music programme centres on the rich heritage of Anglican hymnody, psalmody, and choral tradition. Hymns are chosen to reflect the themes of the liturgical year, to support the prayers of the congregation, and to deepen our understanding of the faith. The choir and organ lead the congregation each Sunday in sung worship, offering psalms, canticles, and anthems that complement the readings and the Eucharist.
Beliefs
The parish encourages all members to deepen their faith through regular reading of Holy Scripture. The Bible is the primary witness to God’s self-revelation and the foundation of Christian teaching. Setting aside time each day to read, learn, and inwardly digest the Scriptures is one of the most reliable ways to grow in wisdom and faithfulness.
Alongside Scripture, the writings of the early Church Fathers offer valuable insight into how the Christian faith was understood, taught, and lived in the centuries closest to the apostles. Their sermons and writings provide clarity, stability, and continuity with the historic Church.
Christian faith is not something we discover alone. Reading the Fathers together with Scripture helps to ground our Christian life not only in personal devotion but also in the wider tradition of the Church through the ages. The parish commends this practice to all who seek to grow in understanding and to be formed more deeply in the life of Christ.