Bishopscourt - East Melbourne Bishopscourt - East Melbourne

Bishopscourt is a large colonial mansion located on Clarendon Street in East Melbourne, Australia.

Designed by Newson & Blackburn using blue stone in a style of gothic architecture, it was completed in 1853. The red brick wing was added in 1903.

Since completion, it has been used as the residence for all of Melbourne's Anglican diocesan bishops and archbishops.

From 1874 to 1876 it was used as Victoria's Government House.

The house is on the Victorian Heritage Register.

A social history of Bishopscourt Melbourne. It starts with the arrival of Bishop Perry and his choosing of the site for Melbourne's episcopal residence and works through the trials and tribulations that he and his wife experienced in the establishment of a house and a tradition that had to serve both their public and private lives. It continues through the lives of the thirteen subsequent incumbents and their families as played out in the house. The book also provides a detailed history of the house itself from first construction through the many alterations, major and minor. The history of the garden is woven into the larger story.

Bishopscourt, the official residence of the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne.

Bishopscourt has a very special place in Melbourne's garden history.

Founded in 1848, Bishopscourt is one of the oldest properties in East Melbourne and is the official residence of the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne. It is the last intact urban estate within the City of Melbourne.

The garden was designed in the Gardenesque style and features extensive plantings, sweeping lawns and fruit and vegetables all interwoven with a series of serpentine paths. Resident bishops and archbishops and their families have all enjoyed the garden and made their own contributions to it over the decades.

Over the past 20 years, a dedicated group of volunteers have established regular working bees and made massive efforts to restore and breathe new life into this beautiful garden. Original paths have been uncovered, garden beds rejuvenated and replanted and significant trees preserved. The garden continues to be maintained by volunteers today.

The house and garden are both included on the Victorian Heritage Register and 18 trees are included on the citation. Nine of the major trees are also on the City of Melbourne's register of exceptional trees. These include two English Elms (Ulmus procera), the Port Jackson Fig (Ficus rubiginosa), the Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), two Monterey Cypresses (Cupressus macrocarpa), the River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), and two Dutch Elms (Ulmus x hollandica), some of which were planted in the late 1800s.

❊ Address ❊

 ⊜  120 Clarendon Street East Melbourne  View Map

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❊ Web Links ❊

➼ Bishopscourt - East Melbourne 

➼ www.holytrinitymelbourne.org.au






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