Amanda
A couple of points the number 8 didn't run down Witton Road, the church has a wall in front of it, the baptist church has a wall in front of it and always has. There is no wall in view on your original photo.
I think Spuds suggestion of a St Luke's Road diversion during the Belgrave Middleway construction has a lot of merit as there were a lot of churches, schools, and homes in that road. It bears further investigation at least.