St. John's Orphanage

St. John's Orphanage is a three-story brick building in Goulburn designed in Federation architectural style, featuring wrought iron balconies and a red tile roof. The structure includes a basement and sits on a large property that was originally used for agricultural operations and daily activities of the residents.

The building opened in 1913 after Bishop John Gallagher laid its foundation stone in 1912, replacing an earlier facility that served only girls. It operated for more than seven decades before closing in 1978.

The building housed children in need, many of whom came from difficult circumstances rather than having lost parents. They learned practical skills and academic subjects while living as part of a larger community under the care of the Sisters.

The building is not currently open to visitors as it stands vacant and requires substantial restoration work under heritage protection rules. You can view the exterior and its architectural features from Mundy Street while conservation work continues.

During World War II, the facility far exceeded its intended capacity of around 100 residents, housing over 200 children at times. A notable aspect is that most of these children were not actually orphans, making it function more as a general children's home.

Location: New South Wales

Inception: 1912

Architects: Edward Manfred

Architectural style: Federation architecture

Floors above the ground: 3

GPS coordinates: -34.76160,149.71000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:23