In the early period of Macedonian immigration, Macedonians lacked their own churches in Australia and went to different Orthodox churches (
Russian,
Syrian,
Greek,
Serbian) or to churches from other Christian denominations (
Methodist,
Anglican). Notable Macedonians involved in the initiative were Atanas and Done Filipov, Dane Trpkov, Stojan Srbinov, Risto Altin and Vančo Nedelkovski. Over a period of two years, funds were raised and a plot of land was purchased on Young Street, in the inner Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, home to many immigrants from southern Europe. In Victoria, Vasil Mojanov maintained cordial relations with the local Anglican Church leadership and some politicians, and those efforts assisted with the founding of St George Church. At first, the church was intended to be under the local Anglican Church. The St George Church Committee took the matter to the Australian courts and won their right to construct a church in the
Victorian Supreme Court. On 2 August 1960, the church was officially opened after its consecration by the Bishop Naum of Zletovo-Strumica (Diocese of Macedonia), his deputy Father Nestor Popovski along with Father Ǵorǵi Angelovski. A large number of Macedonians were present at the consecration ceremony till evening. The first priest of St George was Father Ǵorǵi Angelovski. Annually during
Easter celebrations, the Macedonian community would circle the church three times. Being the first Macedonian church within Australia, there were various reactions to the move. Bulgarian, Serbian and Greek newspapers called into question Macedonian existence with terms such as "pseudo-bishops", "pseudo-Macedonian church" and "pseudo-Macedonians". At St George Church, the adoption of a democratic constitution by the elected Church Committee governed its actions and decisions which gave it the authority to appoint and dismiss priests without a bishop's approval. In the mid 1990s, the church was subjected to an attempted arson attack. The church was sold, and large parts of the Macedonian community did not favour the move. == See also ==