Ancient and modern buildings are neighbours in church grounds in Brighton North (Victoria). St. Mark's new parish hall, to be opened on Saturday by the Attorney-General (Mr. Ian Macfarlan) has been erected close to the picturesque stone building which is Melbourne's oldest suburban church, for many years known as the Church of St. John the Less.

The new hall was erected by voluntary labour. Mr. A. Jukes acted as architect and supervisor of the work, other leading helpers being Messrs. A. Beadle, T. Moore, J. Marden, and H. Standeven. The work occupied some six months. Material cost about £550. The hall, which will accomodate 300 persons is constructed in timber and fibro-plaster, with an iron roof. It will be provided with a stage, dressing rooms, kitchen, etc.

St. John the Less Church was opened for public worship in February, 1850, when nature lovers still might enjoy rambles in the bush around Brighton. Indeed, to that little stone building which has survived to this day, settlers came on Sunday from lonely homesteads, as well as dwellings in Little Brighton. Old men and many of middle age have pleasant memories of the old stone church, which is almost the same today as it was in their boyhood, except for the rough-casting of the stonework. In recent years it has been used as a Sunday school.

Rev. William Brickwood, incumbent of Moorabbin, was the first clergyman to officiate at the Church of St. John the Less. Ephraim Hughes, who came to Victoria in 1848, took an active part in the building of the historic church. He established his homestead in Brighton, having purchased land in Dendy Street. He was among the gold-seekers at Ballarat, Forest Creek and Bendigo. In later years, until his retirement, he engaged in market gardening.