History of our Church

Saint Petka Church was originally founded and built by a Presbyterian congregation, back in the year 1861. A member of the Presbyterian committee, William Forde Cleenland, generously donated the land where our church lays today. The treasurer of the congregation, Alexander Brock, was then ordered to take up to 300 loads of stone to build, what was then called, “The Presbyterian Church at Janefiled”. The Church then became a place of worship for the local community for 133 years. Population movement in the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s, saw its congregation diminish, and in the 1990’s it was in danger of its demise.

In 1994, the Presbyterian Church was sold, only to stand idle for over 2 years. The Whittlesea Historical Society fortunately saved the Church, along with the faithfully attached old parishioners, that did not want its history destroyed by business interests.

In 1997, the northern suburbs of Melbourne saw the growth of a large Macedonian community. His Eminence, Bishop Petar, Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, purchased the land as a place of worship. The old Presbyterian Church became of Faith once more, reliving its old days with the present Parish Priest, Father Tone Gulev.

Our church, now know as St. Petka Orthodox Church, is over 150 years old. This beautiful blue stone building, with its Gothic architecture is heritage listed on the Historic and Heritage Building Register.