The first Baptist Church service in Melbourne was held in 1838 in a tent on a vacant allotment of land which is now the site of the Regent Theatre, opposite the present church building. The congregation was constituted as a Church on 20 July 1843 with a membership of 16, and the first chapel was built on this site in 1845.
The chapel was a simple but dignified building measuring 52 feet by 130 feet and set back from the street line. It was opened for worship on Sunday 14 December 1845.By the end of 1850’s the congregation had outgrown the accommodation offered by the church, and it was decided to enlarge the building. Joseph Reed an architect who also designed the Melbourne Town Hall, was commissioned to enlarge the church. In carrying out his task, Reed demolished the original church and replaced it with the present building.
Construction of the new church was carried out by John Holtom at a cost of £3,260. The building was opened in 1862.