​A History of St Dunstan's Camberwell

St Dunstan's is named after one time Archbishop of Canterbury, who loved music and the arts. In many paintings he is featured with a harp, an angelic instrument. St Dunstan's, Camberwell, carries on the musical tradition as a 'church that sings'.
Our purpose as a parish is to live in Jesus' words that 'I came that you might have life in abundance'. This includes understanding what Jesus' gift of life means for us as a community and making the most of Jesus' gift of life by reaching out through our services, fellowship and mission activities.

St Dunstan's the Church

In 1925 a windswept paddock of wet onion grass, with a few residences nearby, was selected as the site for a new parish church in East Camberwell. Although initially described as St Hilda's Riversdale, the new parish became known as St Dunstan's as a tribute to St Dunstan (928 – 988), one time Archbishop of Canterbury.
The first building was a temporary wooden church building which sat where the vicarage now sits at the front of the property. While that was being built the vicar of the day, The Rev. Oliver Brady, conducted services in the homes of parishioners. The first service in the new building was held on 1 August 1926.
A new brick church and parish hall were completed and dedicated in 1930 by Archbishop Head. The parish received generous donations of furniture and furnishings at the time and this practice continues to this day. A new two story home was built as a vicarage after the temporary wooden church had been removed and moved to St Mark's, West Reservoir. Interestingly, a pilgrimage to the site took place during the 80th Anniversary Celebrations in 2006.

An Anglican Day Kindergarten was launched in the mid 1940's which has continued to provide a high standard pre-school education for generations of local children ever since. A purpose built new kindergarten building was erected in 1973. Two  tennis courts were installed on the land behind the vicarage in1948.
Much-needed restoration and renovation to the church building was completed in 1976 which has facilitated the cycle of worship and other events at St Dunstan's to this day. A generous gift from a benefactor in the 1970's enabled all outstanding debt to be discharged.
A booklet, Fifty Years at St Dunstan's 1926 – 1976 was published celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the parish, and the building was consecrated by the Most Reverend Dr. Frank Wood, Primate and Archbishop of Melbourne. The distinctive mural on the outside wall facing Wattle Valley Road was designed and crafted by Mrs Eva Schubert using a sgraffito technique, see picture back page. It depicts St Dunstan and his harp which is our current logo.

In 2006 the parish celebrated its 80th anniversary together with the Mother's Union (70 years) and the Kindergarten (60 years).
And then, at the end of another decade, in 2016 the Parish looks to celebrating its 90th anniversary, with Mothers Union (80 years) and the Kindergarten (70 years).
The past ten years have been eventful, challenging and fruitful under the leadership of two very capable Vicars – The Reverend Alison Taylor 2000 – 2010 (now Bishop in the Diocese of Brisbane) and the Reverend Helen Phillips 2010-2015.
With its Mission Action Plan as a focus, the parish community has continued to develop and maintain a wide range of worship, teaching, pastoral care and associated activities.

St Dunstan's parish continues to be committed to its role as a witness to a Christian presence in the wider Middle Camberwell locality. It offers a warm invitation to attend any of several Christian worship services conducted each week in the Anglican tradition.
We are a loving and faithful community offering hospitality and friendship to all who enter through our doors with a variety of activities and events for all ages, many of whidh take place during the week.
In these worldwide turbulent times, we look forward with faith to the challenges and opportunities to further the call of Christ, as we journey towards our 100th anniversary.