Plenty of changes to holy land in Manly

The building on the south-eastern corner of The Corso and Darley Rd in Manly was built in 1901 but demolished to make way for St Matthew’s Church.

Victoria Hall, on the corner of Darley Rd and The Corso, Manly. Courtesy Manly Library stmattx

The building on the south-eastern corner of The Corso and Darley Rd in Manly was built in 1901 but demolished to make way for St Matthew’s Church, construction of which began in 1929.

The first St Matthew’s Church, which was built in 1865, is in the background of the old picture.

Originally the corner site was occupied by a temporary church. It was built in 1857-58 but not officially opened for services until January 2, 1859.

St Matthew's Church on The Corso

After the permanent St Matthew’s Church was opened in 1865, the temporary church was converted and rebuilt to house a Sunday school and Church of England Grammar School.

In 1900, however, the temporary church was demolished to make way for Victoria Hall, which was named to honour the long reign of Queen Victoria.

Victoria Hall was used for a Sunday school and for parochial meetings. Shops along the street front were added to provide the church with an income.

The hall was also used for many public meetings during its short history.

But the church built in 1865 jutted out past the building alignment of all the other buildings in The Corso and eventually the parish elders caved in to pressure from Manly Council and demolished it in 1928.

Victoria Hall, which had become a fire hazard, was also demolished and the new St Matthew’s Church – the one that still stands guard over The Corso – was built at the corner.