The current St Mary’s Church has served the Bairnsdale community for over 100 years. We are rightly proud of its history. The challenge now is to ensure this legacy continues for generations to come. Those who have gone before us have given us a wonderful gift of a beautiful Church. It falls to us now to preserve this building for those who will follow in our footsteps. 

Since its initial construction, there have been very few modifications. There were some minor internal alterations in 1978 which involved the part removal of the marble altar rail to enable the new timber altar to be bought forward into the nave and closer to the congregation. St Mary’s Church has most certainly become a building of architectural, historical, aesthetic and social significance to the State of Victoria.  Architecturally the building is one of the earliest, largest, most striking and least altered of the red brick churches designed by A. A. Fritsch, who was one of the key exponents of Romanesque & Baroque church architecture in Victoria.

Restoration Logistics Committee: This committee works in conjunction with the architects to plan and oversee all the works of the restoration. 

Restoration Fundraising Committee: This Committee is responsible for raising funds to cover the costs of the restoration i.e. grants etc 

Restoration Events Committee: This committee organises events for fundraising.

How You Can Help the Restoration Fundraising and Events Committees? 

St Mary’s needs your help to restore and maintain its historic Church building. Assistance can be provided in a number of forms, including by

  • Organising a fundraising event.
  • Making a personal donation.
  • Making a Corporate donation.
  • Helping with advertising and fundraising costs.
  • Sponsoring a specific section of work on the building.
  • Making a Bequest to the Restoration Project.

Donations to the Appeal are tax-deductible through the National Trust of Australia (Victoria). 

For further information or to make a donation, please contact

The St Mary’s Church Restoration Project, Nicholson Street, Bairnsdale. VIC 3875. Telephone (03) 5152 2942. Email  stmarybairnsdale@gmail.com