258 Gore Street
In 1859, the Bible Christian Church was constructed at the south east corner of Gore and Greeves Streets (278 Gore Street). The church acquired more land at the southern end of the same block (258 Gore Street on corner of St David Streets) in 1865. By 1871, a Bible Christian schoolroom was operating on the St David Street corner. By the 1890s, it was a Templars Lodge and in the 1920s it was a Church of Christ Sunday school.
In 1943, Pastor Doug Nicholls (later, Sir Douglas Nicholls 1906-1988) leased half the hall from the Church of Christ and later leased the whole building. The building was eventually purchased by the Church of Christ in the 1950s. Together wife his wife, Gladys Nicholls, Pastor Doug established the Aboriginal Church of Christ at the site.
Aboriginal people living in Melbourne and those visiting from the country gravitated to Pastor Doug’s church. In addition to the provision of church services, Pastor Doug and Gladys Nicholls provided welfare support and became strong campaigners for Aboriginal rights and justice. Gladys taught Sunday school, undertook fundraising and managed the church’s finances.
Gladys was also active in working for women’s rights and became Victorian State President of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Council in the 1970s. Many Aboriginal political and welfare groups emerged from the people who met at Pastor Doug’s church.
In addition to his religious and political activities, Doug Nicholls was a talented professional athlete and footballer. After playing for Northcote in the VFA, he signed with Fitzroy Football Club and played for six seasons between 1932 and 1937. He also played for Victoria.
He was appointed MBE in 1957, received an OBE in 1968 and was knighted in 1972. Sir Douglas Nicholls was made Governor of South Australia in 1976.
