A landmark that has watched over Hawthorn for more than 135 years.
Standing proudly above Hawthorn’s skyline, the Auburn Tower has long been one of Melbourne’s most recognisable landmarks.
For generations, its distinctive square silhouette has welcomed visitors, guided locals home and served as a lasting reminder of the community that built it.
Today, the tower forms part of the historic Auburn Uniting Church precinct, but its story began decades before the bricks of the tower were ever laid.
From little things, big things grow.
The Auburn congregation traces its origins back to 1853, when the first Methodist service was held beneath a gum tree near the corner of Auburn and Riversdale Roads.
As Melbourne grew during the gold rush and Hawthorn developed into a thriving suburb, the congregation expanded alongside it, moving through several increasingly larger buildings to accommodate the growing community.
By the 1880s, Hawthorn had become one of Melbourne’s most prosperous municipalities. The congregation recognised the need for a permanent church that reflected both the aspirations of its members and the importance of the growing district.
In 1886, land was purchased on the prominent corner of Oxley Road and Hepburn Street, laying the foundation for what would become the Auburn Uniting Church precinct.
Building Auburn Tower
The church complex was designed by the talented young Melbourne architect Alfred Dunn, who embraced the Lombardic Romanesque style that was gaining popularity throughout Europe and North America.
Construction commenced in 1888, with foundation stones laid on 26 July that year.
Built using richly coloured Hawthorn brick and resting on a solid basalt foundation, the design combined impressive scale with intricate craftsmanship.
At its heart stood the remarkable five-storey square tower.
Unlike many church towers built primarily to house bells, Auburn Tower was conceived as an architectural statement – a landmark that could be seen across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Rising high above the surrounding neighbourhood, it quickly became one of Hawthorn’s defining features.
Completed in 1889, the tower has stood watch over Hawthorn for more than 135 years.
More Than A Church
From the beginning, the Auburn church complex was designed to serve the broader community.
Alongside the church, the precinct included a hall, parsonage, caretaker’s cottage, school buildings and other facilities that supported education, community gatherings and local life.
For generations, weddings, baptisms, funerals, concerts, community meetings and countless personal milestones have taken place within its walls.
The Auburn precinct has never been simply a church. It has been a place where the Hawthorn community has gathered, celebrated and supported one another for well over a century.
An Architectural Treasure
Today, Auburn Tower is recognised as one of Victoria’s finest examples of nineteenth-century Romanesque church architecture.
Its carefully crafted brickwork, commanding proportions and distinctive square profile make it unlike any other church tower in Melbourne. The entire Auburn complex is valued not only for its architectural beauty, but also for the insight it provides into Melbourne’s remarkable period of growth during the late nineteenth century.
The tower’s elevated viewing platform offers sweeping views across Hawthorn, Melbourne’s CBD and beyond, providing visitors with a unique perspective of the city while offering a tangible connection to its history.
Preserving Auburn Tower for Future Generations
Historic places only endure because communities choose to protect them.
As one of Hawthorn’s most significant heritage landmarks, Auburn Tower requires ongoing care, conservation and advocacy to ensure it remains accessible for generations to come.
Friends of the Auburn Tower was established as an independent, non-denominational association dedicated to preserving the Auburn complex—particularly its unique square tower—and promoting its architectural, historical and cultural significance.
Through conservation advocacy, fundraising, education and community engagement, we are committed to ensuring this remarkable landmark continues to inspire future generations, just as it has inspired those who have admired it for well over a century.
Because preserving Auburn Tower isn’t simply about protecting bricks and mortar.
It’s about protecting the history, identity and shared heritage of the Hawthorn community.
Be part of history. Visit Auburn Tower.