MELBOURNE CHURCHES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19217, 5 January 1926, Page 7

MELBOURNE CHURCHES.

SOME WEALTHY PARISHES. [from our own correspondent. ] SYDNEY, Dec. 31. Probably the most exclusive and wealthyAnglican parish in Australia is that of St. John's, Toorak, Melbourne, though St. Marks, Darling Point, Sydney, must be a very close second. With a congregation rarely more than 300, St. John's earns £3500 a year without effort. Its pew rents amount to £IOOO a year—a big figure for an Anglican church, but a mere trifle compared with those of a wealthy synagogue, where all the seats are rented, and the earnings amoant to thousands a year, there being no collection. St. John's boasts six knights and an earl among its worshippers. Memorial windows, a lectern or a peal of bells -have merely to be mentioned to be given. St. John's was originally a private church being built as a chapel for the State Governor when Toorak House was Government House. Toorak Presbyterian Church, not far away, possesses assets worth £50,000, and is one of the wealthiest churches in Melbourne. But whereas the minister is paid £BOO, plus offerings, the vicar rubs along on a stipend of £550, nearly as much again from fees, and has a beautiful residence. A 100 yds. down the street a huge Methodist church swallows up a handful of worshippers. Fifty is the average of this church and the stipend is about £5 a week. "We are in the wrong position," was the verger's comment, as he gathered up an armful of books with a sigh. Scots Church, Melbourne, or Scots Cathedral, as it is called, which battles for preference with the Independent Church over the way, is another examplo of ecclesiastical business acumen. In 1838 the Scots set up a kirk on Batman's Hill, where now stands the Royal Bank. Obtaining a Government grant, they moved to their present site, a property now worth £50,000. Properties adjoining return a revenue of £7OO, while the church itself shows takings of over £2OOO a year. Until recently Scots was directed by Dr. Marshall, with Mr. Borland as assistant, each receiving £BOO a year. Melba sang in the choir for many a Sunday in her remote youth.