East Melbourne Church

A lush sanctuary hidden within a historic church

Behind the towering walls of a converted church in East Melbourne lies one of the city’s most atmospheric private gardens. What was once the congregation floor is now a secluded, fully enclosed courtyard retreat, maintained over the past decade with DVH’s horticultural expertise.

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An architectural space transformed into a garden

The garden sits within the shell of the original church, with ivy‑covered brick walls reaching nearly ten metres high. These mature living walls that are wrapped in Boston ivy and creeping fig, create a green, cathedral‑like envelope that immediately separates the space from the surrounding city.

Living walls and vertical greenery

The vertical gardens define the space and require ongoing specialised stewardship. Over time, the vines have needed structural reinforcement, with stainless‑steel cables guiding and supporting the meandering growth up the ten‑metre walls. Maintaining these massive green surfaces demands consistent horticultural attention to plant health, moisture management and aesthetic balance.

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Water features that anchor the garden

At the centre of the courtyard are two interconnected water elements: a natural koi pond and a lagoon‑like pool. A single stone slab bridges the two, creating the illusion of one continuous body of water gently flowing through the garden. This pairing of reflective surfaces introduces depth, movement and tranquillity, giving the compact courtyard a sense of expansiveness and calm

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