RMIT Spiritual Centre, Educational and spiritual building in Melbourne, Australia

The RMIT Spiritual Centre is a 19th-century building located on Franklin Street in Melbourne featuring classical proportions and ornamental details in the Italianate style. The interior combines historical architectural features with modern functionality to support meditation and personal reflection.

Built in 1860 as the chapel of the Old Melbourne Gaol, the building formed part of the gaol's North Wing. It passed to RMIT after the gaol was decommissioned in 1929. The West Block was demolished around 1910 for an RMIT expansion, and the circular panopticon watchtower and male exercise yard went in 1927 for the Emily McPherson College of Domestic Economy.

The space serves the RMIT University community as a gathering point for quiet reflection and shared contemplation today. Visitors notice how the building bridges religious and secular purposes, welcoming people from different backgrounds seeking moments of stillness.

The space is accessible during university terms, and visitors should check ahead with the RMIT Chaplaincy Service for availability. Regular meditation sessions are organized, and the space remains open to anyone seeking a quiet place for reflection and stillness.

The building is one of few surviving remains of the Old Melbourne Gaol and preserves elements from its original role as a prison chapel. This dual past makes it an unusual place where history and current use sit closely together.