Habitat Uniting Church

(former Methodist and St David's Uniting Church)

cnr Burke & Mont Albert Roads, Canterbury

Built 1926 Roberts Ltd (job number 127).
Rebuilt 1954 and 1967 Hill, Norman & Beard (Australia) Pty Ltd (order no V695).
Enlarged 1990 and subsequently Australian Pipe Organs Pty Ltd.
2 manuals, 28 speaking stops, 9 couplers, electro-pneumatic action.




Habitat Uniting Church, Canterbury, Vic – exterior
[photograph by John Maidment (4 November 2015)]


Historical and Technical Documentation by John Maidment
© OHTA (last updated February 2025)


The foundation stone of the present church was laid in October 1925 by the Revd H.A. Overend and the building opened on 11 March 1926.1 It was designed by prominent Melbourne architects H.W. & F.B. Tompkins2 and constructed in clinker brick and stucco in a Decorated Gothic style. This firm also designed the Presbyterian churches at East Malvern (Ewing Memorial) and West Hawthorn. It contains notable stained glass by Brooks Robinson and John Ferguson.3



Habitat Uniting Church, Canterbury, Vic – organ
[photograph by John Maidment (4 November 2015)]

The organ was built in 1926 by Roberts Ltd, of Melbourne and Adelaide, the firm's job number 127, and cost £1401.4 In 1954 the action, previously tubular-pneumatic, was electrified by Hill, Norman & Beard (Australia) Pty Ltd and in 1967 it had a complete rebuilding by the firm (order number V695). The organ received a new detached drawstop console and the choruses were completed by the addition of two Mixtures. The work was carried out in association with the church organist Ian Harrison. In 1990, a floating Tromba rank was added by Australian Pipe Organs Pty Ltd who later added a Dulciana, Nazard and Tierce to the Great Organ. The instrument has a fine case and benefits from a sympathetic acoustic.

On 22 February 2025 the whole site was advertised for sale by Colliers Real Estate.5

GREAT
Open Diapason
Rohr Gedeckt
Dulciana
Principal
Saube Flute
Nazard
Fifteenth
Tierce
Mixture 19.22.26
Tromba on Great
Swell Sub Octave to Great
Swell to Great
Swell Octave to Great
8
8
8
4
4
2-2/3
2
1-3/5
III
8









A

old Claribel
1990s


1990s
1967
1990s
1967
* 1990




  
SWELL
Open Diapason
Lieblich Gedeckt
Viole da Gamba
Voix Celeste
Gemshorn
Doublette
Mixture 22.26.29
Bassoon
Trumpet
Hautboy
Tremulant
Tromba on Swell
Sub Octave
Unison Off
Octave
8
8
8
8
4
2
III
16
8
8

8







B

B

A



TC
1967 tapered
1967
1967
1-12  1967
old Horn
1954 (in separate swell box)

* 1990




  
PEDAL
Open Diapason
Subbass
Principal
Flute
Choral Bass
Bassoon
Bassoon
Great to Pedal
Swell to Pedal
Swell Octave to Pedal
16
16
8
8
4
16
4

C
D
C
D
B
B
wood

1967
1967
1967





  

Great & Pedal pistons coupled
Swell to Pedal pistons

*by rocking tablets

Compass: 61/30
Detached drawstop console with rocking tablets for couplers
Balanced electro-pneumatic swell pedal6



Habitat Uniting Church, Canterbury, Vic – case from left
[photograph by John Maidment (4 November 2015)]




Habitat Uniting Church, Canterbury, Vic – console
[photograph by John Maidment (4 November 2015)]




Habitat Uniting Church, Canterbury, Vic – left stop jamb
[photograph by John Maidment (4 November 2015)]




Habitat Uniting Church, Canterbury, Vic – right hand stop jamb
[photograph by John Maidment (4 November 2015)]




Habitat Uniting Church, Canterbury, Vic – coupler rail
[photograph by John Maidment (4 November 2015)]

1 The Argus,11 March 1929, p.9 and foundation stone

2 City of Boroondara Municipal-Wide Heritage Gap Study, volume 1 Canterbury (2018)

3 Information from Dr Bronwyn Hughes, February 2025

4 Transcription of the Roberts Order Book, compiled by David Shield

5 The Age, 22 February 2025: advertisement for the property

6 Specification noted by John Maidment 1967 with later amendments