Congregational College of Victoria

Anketell M. Henderson arrived in Melbourne by the ship Kosciusko to replace Rev.

J. P. Sunderland as pastor of the Richmond Congregational Church, in addition to his appointment as first president of the College.

In the meantime he conducted services at the old Theatre Royal[7] (it was destroyed by fire in April 1872), attracting a large and vibrant congregation, which he retained when the new church building was opened on 25 August 1867.

[9] Subsequently College lectures, ceremonies and other activities were held in the Independent (i.e. Congregational) church building.

In 1875 the College was opened to aspiring Baptist ministers, bringing the number of students from five in 1874 to ten.