Category Presbyterian

Oct 16 2012

28-07-1866: St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Ballan, Victoria.

The Bacchus Marsh Express, Vic, Saturday 28th July 1866, page 2.

“THE OPENING OF THE NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BALLAN”.

“SABBATH last brought with it the long-looked-for day of opening of this beautiful Church. The new building is, perhaps, the most prominent, as it is certainly the finest erection in this rising township. The style of architecture is modern Gothic. The building is of bluestone rubble, every alternate stone having a four inch sneck, and is neatly tuck-pointed. It stands on a base two feet high, while the outer walls are supported by twenty abutments of freestone, with small bluestone snecks let in, and finished at the tops with two weatherings. The fine large window in front of the edifice consists of freestone reveals and arches, and is divided by two mullions nine feet high, being finished in the same way both externally and internally. There are also eleven other windows, while the whole is surmounted by an exceedingly chaste spire, which rises to a considerable height. The spire is likewise built of mixed blue and freestone, which is carried up sixteen feet square, at which point commences an octagon tower, perforated with eight windows four feet high, the interior of which forms the bell-tower. Immediately above the bell-tower stands a circle of freestone moulding, which is destined to receive a very handsome clock. Attached to the main building is a vestry, divided into two rooms, the whole edifice being finished by a freestone water-table. The building occupies a commanding situation, and the effect is altogether very pleasing, as the eye first rests upon it. Unlike many colonial buildings, whether public or private, the new church will bear the closest scrutiny. The grounds have been securely and handsomely fenced in, while great taste and skill have been displayed in laying them out, and planting them with choice trees. The same care and taste which is visible in the exterior of the building, is observable in the furnishing and decorating of the interior. Here all is comfort and elegance. On entering, the first thing which strikes the eye is the highly-elaborate way in which the windows have been filled in with stained glass. They were furnished by Messrs. Fergusson [sic] and Urie, of North Melbourne. With one exception, we question if any building in the colony, whether ecclesiastical or otherwise, will compare in this respect with the new Church in Ballan. The large triple window in front is exceedingly rich, and is the gift of three ladies belonging to the congregation – Mrs. Dugald McPherson of Bungeeltap, Mrs. Peter Inglis of Ingliston, and Mrs. John Edols of Mount Dariwell. The pulpit is of red cedar, elaborately carved, and is surrounded by a rail, supported on twisted pillars, within which stands the desk and chair for use of the precentor. The church is lighted by two bronze chandeliers suspended from the lofty arched ceiling, each bearing four large lights. But to realise the beauty and effect of the whole, one must be present when the noonday sun is streaming through the large triple window which faces the pulpit; then the various windows are seen in all their exquisite beauty of finish and colour. Of course the finest of all is the centre-piece of the large centre window. On an Egyptian scroll which winds round the delicate tendrils of the red rose of Albion, so much celebrated and esteemed by the crusaders of the Holy Wars, there is inscribed these appropriate words of Holy Writ, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.” We may notice, as a matter of paramount importance in a building designed for public worship, that its acoustic properties are perfect. It is seldom that so complete a public building is seen, and too high praise cannot be accorded to the Presbyterians of Ballan for the spirit and liberality which they have manifested in this undertaking. To the ladies who throughout have manifested such an unwearied interest, great praise is due. It is, perhaps, slightly invidious to mention further any names, where so many have been characterised by such activity and generosity, but we think that all will unite with us in testifying to the special liberality and zeal displayed by the following gentlemen:- Dugald McPherson, Esq., J.P., whose munificence has been of a princely nature, and to whom, more than all others, the Presbyterians in Ballan are indebted for this truly handsome erection; Peter Inglis, Esq., J.P., who from the first has shown the warmest interest in the undertaking, and who, we believe, was the first to head the list with a subscription of £100; Walter Duncan, Esq., J.P., who has been the friend and treasurer of the congregation from the beginning of its history. It is exceedingly gratifying and hopeful to see gentlemen of high character and social standing identifying themselves with the cause, as these and others like them are doing.”

Photos taken: 29th December 2010.

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The memorial text at the base of the liturgical west three light window has the names of each of the donors:
“Ye gift of Mrs John Edols AD 1866″ | “Ye gift of Mrs Dugald Macpherson AD 1866″ | “Ye gift of Mrs Peter Inglis AD 1866″

The Donors:

Edols:

Mrs John Edols (Margaret, nee Brown) was the wife of John Edols Esq., of Dariwell Park, John was appointed as a trustee[1] of the Ballan Race track and recreational reserve in July 1860, along with Dugald MacPherson and others and also acted as a steward[2] at the Ballan racing events. Margaret died[3] at “Ingliston” on the 17th of September 1872 and was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery on the 19th of September 1872 [4]. (there is no known gravestone recorded).  John Edols left the Ballan area circa 1888 and died at “Bryan O’Lynn”, near Warrnambool on the 28th December 1888 [5] He was buried at the Tower Hill Cemetery (a gravestone still exists).

MacPherson:

Mrs Dugald MacPherson was Mary Elizabeth MacPherson (nee O’Cock), wife of Ballan Councillor Dugald Macpherson (1820-1901) of Bungeeltap. She died at ‘Bungeeltap-house’ at Ballan in August 1916 and was buried at the Ballan New Cemetery on Wednesday 16th August 1916[6]. Dugald MacPherson died at Bungeeltap, Ballan, on the 20th of October 1901 aged 81 [7] . The Macpherson family grave still exists at the Ballan cemetery but the memorial writing is nearly impossible to read.

External Links:

Museum Victoria: Dugald Macpherson (1820-1901)

Gordon, Egerton and Ballan Advertiser, Vic, Friday 25th August 1916, page 4.

“The late Mrs Macpherson, of Bangeeltap, whose death was reported in last week’s Adverister, was a native of Exeter, England, and a daughter of the late Mr Richard Ocock, solicitor, Ballan. She was married at St Kilda in 1852, and spent the first 2 years of her married life in the Wimmera, and was the first white woman to go to that part of Victoria, which was then inhabited by aboriginies. In 1854, Mr Macpherson, (who died 16 years ago) having purchased Bangeeltap [sic], Mrs Macpherson went there to live, where she resided till her death. Eight sons and five daughters were born at Bangeeltap. During her 62 years residence at Bangeeltap Mrs Macpherson had many and varied experiences, one of which was a corroboree amongst the blacks, which she witnessed. She was one of the first members of the Ballan Presbyterian church, laid the foundation stone, presented a large window, and with her husband was a most liberal supporter for many years. The Rev E. J. Welsh conducted an In Memoriam service in the church on Sunday last. The service was largely attended by many friends of the deceased lady”.

Note: Her mother, Rebecca Mary O’Cock, also has a stained glass window by the Ferguson & Urie Company which was erected in St John’s Anglican Church in Ballan in 1883.

See: 10-03-1883: St John’s Church, Ballan, Victoria.

Inglis:

Mrs Peter Inglis, wife of Ballarat magistrate, Peter Inglis (1796-1869, a native of Glasgow) of Ingliston, near Ballan. Peter Inglis died on the 6th of July 1869, aged 73 [8]. There are also ‘Inglis’ streets in Ballan, Buninyong, and Warrenheip named after the family. The Inglis family memorial exists at the Ballan Cemetery but the text for Peter Inglis side of the memorial has almost faded completely.

Excerpt, HISTORY OF BALLARAT, page 6

“In the year 1843, Mr. Peter Inglis, who had a station at Ballan, took up the Warrenheip run, and shortly after that purchased the Lal Lal station, and throwing them both together, grazed on the united runs one of the largest herds in the colony. The western boundary of Mr. Inglis’ Warrenheip run marched with the eastern boundary of Mr. Yuille’s run, the line being struck by marked trees running from Mount Buninyong across Brown Hill to Slaty Creek. Mr. Donald Stewart, now of Buninyong, was stock-rider for Mr. Inglis, on the Warrenheip and Lal Lal stations, and superintendent during the minority of the present owner of Lal Lal”

Minor mention in Biography of: Archibald Fisken (1827-1907)

Obituaries for Peter Inglis.

1. The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Monday 12th July 1869, page 5.

2. Obituaries Australia

Related posts:  22-07-1866 > 13-08-1867

Foot notes:

[8] The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Thursday 8th July 1869, page 4.

Short link to this page: https://wp.me/p28nLD-1jZ

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Aug 25 2012

21-04-1872: Presbyterian Church, Napier St, Fitzroy, Victoria.

The foundation stone of the first Presbyterian Church in Fitzroy was laid by Rev Ramsay in 1849 on the corner of Gertrude and Napier street. By 1870 the site was deemed too noisy for worship due to the traffic noise coming from Gertrude street and plans were commenced to build a new church on a site about 100 meters further down Napier street. The foundation stone of the new church was laid by Sir James McCulloch on the 13th of November 1871 and the church was opened on Sunday the 21st of April 1872. Amongst the various architectural descriptions of the new church was that of the stained glass windows:

“…The main window of the front gable is large and of open tracery, as are the smaller windows. There is introduced in the back gable over the pulpit a large wheel window. All the widows have been glazed in most elaborate designs, with embossed, stained, and ornamental glass, and were made by Messrs. Urie and Fergusson [sic], of this city…”

Photos (updated), taken 2nd March 2013.

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The windows were crafted by the Colonial North Melbourne stained glass firm Ferguson & Urie. The window facing Napier Street is a five light of geometric patterns with text scrolls in the outer and central light with the following pieces of scripture:

“BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED” (Acts: 16-31)
“BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD WHICH TAKETH AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD” (John: 1-29)
“THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HIS SON CLEANSETH US FROM ALL SIN” (John: 1-7)

Above the five lights, in the tracery above is a depiction of the ‘Burning Bush’ with the motto of the Presbyterian church:

“NEC TAMEN CONSUMEBATUR” – (Latin: “Yet it was not consumed”). This is the motto of the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) and is in reference to the biblical story of Moses and the burning bush. A stylised depiction of the burning bush is used as the Church’s symbol dating from the 1690s.

At the east end of the church is an ornamental rose or wheel window high up in the gable. The windows on the north side of the nave consist of plain diamond quarries with the red and blue borders that are typical of Ferguson & Urie’s ‘stock’ windows. The south wall of the nave does not have any stained glass. Either side of the west entrance, below the principal five light window, are single light windows with cusped heads. These have the typical borders of the Ferguson & Urie ‘stock’ windows, but are more elaborately filled with diamond quarries of monochrome checkered pattern and yellow and white flowers which give the windows a warm golden glow.

The church has been unoccupied for a number of years and as at July 2012 it was put up for sale and subsequently purchased by Mr Glenn Morris.

The Argus, Melbourne, Tuesday 14th November 1871, page 5.

“The foundation-stone of a new Presbyterian church was laid yesterday afternoon, in Napier-street, Fitzroy, by the Hon, Sir James McCulloch, M.L.A. The new building is to be used by the church and congregation that have heretofore assembled in the Presbyterian Church at the Corner of Gertrude and Napier streets, Fitzroy, which has been found insufficient for the congregation, and also very unsuitable in consequence of the great noise caused by the large amount of traffic passing along Gertrude-street while Divine worship was proceeding. The site of the new church is about 100 yards farther down Napier-street than where the old church stands.”

The Argus, Melbourne, Monday 22 Apr 1872, page 5.

“The new Presbyterian Church in Napier street, Fitzroy, was opened yesterday. The Rev. Dr. Cairns preached in the morning the Rev. J. Watsford in the afternoon, and the Rev. P. S. Menzies in the evening, there being large congregations at each service. The building, which will accommodate 500 worshippers, is of bluestone, with freestone dressings, and has cost about £2,700. The architect was Mr. Geo. Brown, and the contractors Messrs. Sumner and Co”.

Illustrated Australian News for Home Readers, Melbourne, Vic, Tuesday 21 May 1872, page 115.

“NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH”

“The new Presbyterian church in Napier street, Fitzroy, was formally opened for Divine services on 21st April…”

“…The main window of the front gable is large and of open tracery, as are the smaller windows. There is introduced in the back gable over the pulpit a large wheel window. All the widows have been glazed in most elaborate designs, with embossed, stained, and ornamental glass, and were made by Messrs. Urie and Fergusson [sic], of this city…”

External links:

Walking Melbourne Forum: Glenn Morris buys the Napier Street Church

Acknowledgements:

Thanks to Glenn Morris for inviting me to the church to get the photographs on Saturday 2nd March 2013.

Short link to this page: https://wp.me/p28nLD-1ed

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Jun 5 2012

26-06-1863: John Knox (Church of Christ), Swanston Street, Melbourne.

In the heart of Melbourne, opposite the State Library in Swanston Street, stands the former John Knox Free Presbyterian Church built in 1863 to the designs of Charles Webb. It contains many original Ferguson & Urie stained glass windows that are now over a century and a half old. The three-light Gothic decorated window facing Swanston Street is also rare, being one of only five extant windows known to have the Ferguson & Urie company name on it.

Photos were taken 16th January 2011.

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This is the second church erected on the site for the Free Presbyterians; the foundation stone of the first church was laid on Wednesday the 17th November 1847 on the corner of Little Lonsdale and Swanston Streets, Melbourne[1] and opened on the 8th May the following year.

Vandalism was a common occurrence in Colonial Melbourne and the Swanston Street Church was not immune. Four days after Christmas day in 1848 the windows of the church were the target of a supposed band of drunken bushmen who demolished the windows. A reward of three guineas was offered by the trustees for the apprehension of the sacrilegious perpetrators[2]. Fortunately, there is no historical attachment to these windows as there is no record of any historic stained glass this early in Melbourne’s history.

Twenty-six years later the church was deemed unsafe and at a public meeting circa 1862, it was resolved to build a new church on the same site, the foundation stone of which was laid on the 13th February 1863.[3]

The new church was reconstructed to the Neo-Gothic designs of architect Charles Webb and built by contractor Peter Cunningham and opened a mere six months later by the Reverend William McIntyre on the 26th of July 1863.

At a public meeting three days later the treasurer’s report was read:

“…Mr WILLIAM M. BELL, merchant, treasurer to the congregation, then read the report of the managers on the opening of the new church, which was as follows:- “The church built in 1847 having become unsafe, it was found necessary either to repair it at great expense, or build a new one. At a meeting duly called, it was resolved to build a new church, and we procured plans and specifications which were laid before, and approved of, by you. The foundation stone was laid by our pastor, on Friday, the 13th February last.…”[4]

This new church was decorated throughout with ornamental stained glass windows by the historic Ferguson & Urie stained glass company of North Melbourne and were described as follows:

“The stained glass for the ornamental windows was supplied by Messrs Ferguson and Urie, Curzon street, North Melbourne, and is of such a character as will not fail to secure for the firm a high position among the producers of this style of art manufacture….”[5]

All the stained glass windows are likely to have been installed at the time of the church construction in 1863 and the three-light window facing Swanston Street is a rarity amongst the early ecclesiastical windows created by the company as it is one of a rare few found to this date that has the company’s name on it, located in the lower edge of the centre light.

Since 1879 the church has been the home of the Church of Christ congregation and in 1883 the Presbyterians sold the building at auction which the Church of Christ took possession of at £4,500[6].

Significant tabloid transcriptions:

The Argus, Melbourne, Friday 24th July 1863, page 8.

“JOHN KNOX CHURCH, Swanston-street.- The NEW CHURCH will be OPENED for Divine Service upon Sabbath, the 26th inst. The Rev. WILLIAM MCINTYRE, of Sydney, will preach in the morning, at 11 o’clock, evening at 6.30; and the rev WILLIAM MILLER, Minister of the congregation, at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. A special collection in aid of the building fund will be made at these services. A public meeting of the congregation and friends will be held in the church upon Tuesday, the 28th, at 7 o’clock p.m., which will be addressed by several ministers and gentlemen.”

The Age, Melbourne, Vic, Wednesday 29th July 1863, page 6.

“JOHN KNOX FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, SWANSTON STREET.

A public meeting, in connection with the John Knox Free Presbyterian Congregation, was held yesterday evening, in the new church, which has been built by that body, in Swanston street. The new building, as our readers are aware, was opened for public worship on Sunday last. This edifice, if not of a most imposing character, is an exceedingly neat and elegant erection, and forms an addition to the architectural ornaments of the city, for the design of which Mr Charles Webb deserves much credit. It is in the early decorated style of Gothic architecture; the basement story is constructed of bluestone, the superstructure being of brick, which is already partially, and will be wholly finished with Portland cement. Internally, the church is 76 feet in extreme length, and 41 feet wide. The height of the walls is 21½ feet. The roof is of one span, and is open to the ridge so as to show the construction, and has a very fine effect, the trusses being ornamented with Gothic tracery and pendants. The timbers are stained in a light oak color. The pulpit and precentor’s desk are placed on a platform at the west end of the church, and are constructed of polished cedar, as are also the seats. In the basement story there are erected a vestry, session-house, and rooms for the residence of the beadle. The principal front of the building, facing Swanston street, presents the chief architectural features, consisting of a large “entrance doorway,: approached by a flight of nine steps, and enriched with Gothic columns with foliated capitals; and a handsome three-light window with Gothic tracery, and glazed with ornamental glass. The centre of the front projects so as to form the entrance lobby, and has at each angle an octagonal turret, of very handsome design rising to the height of 62ft. In the rear or west end of the building there is a handsome wheel window, glazed with ornamental glass, and the apex of this gable is surmounted by a neat bell turret. As we have already mentioned the architect was Mr Charles Webb, Collins street, and the contractor was Mr Peter Cunningham, Nicholson street, whose work has been performed most creditably. The stained glass for the ornamental windows was supplied by Messrs Ferguson and Urie, Curzon street, North Melbourne, and is of such a character as will not fail to secure for the firm a high position among the producers of this style of art manufacture….”

Note: This building was classified under the Historic Buildings Act 1974.

Footnotes:

[1] The Melbourne Argus, Vic, Friday 19th November 1847, page 2.

[2] The Argus, Melbourne, Friday 29th December 1848, page 2.

[3] The Age, Melbourne, Vic, Wednesday 29th July 1863, page 6.

[4] The Age, Melbourne, Vic, Wednesday 29th July 1863, page 6.

[5] The Age, Melbourne, Vic, Wednesday 29th July 1863, page 6.

[6] South Australian Register, Adelaide, Wednesday 14th March 1883, page 5.

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Article updated: 6th Oct 2014.

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May 4 2012

22-07-1866: St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Ballan, Victoria.

St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Ballan, eastern Victoria, was officially opened 22nd of July 1866.

The following year, on the 13th August 1867, the Hobart Mercury reported that James Urie, one of the principal partners in the Victorian Stained glass firm of Ferguson & Urie, had been “sojourning” in Tasmania with a catalogue of the firm’s designs for ecclesiastical and secular stained glass. The Presbyterian Church at Ballan, St Paul’s, was mentioned in the article as one of many Victorian Churches that had recently received stained glass windows by Ferguson & Urie.

[…] This gentleman is now in Launceston, and we were much gratified yesterday by inspecting a large portfolio of designs for church and other windows which his firm has executed or has in hand […]

I visited St Paul’s (now a Uniting Church) in Ballan in December 2010 and found that all the windows were original Ferguson & Urie stained glass, none of which appear to have been repaired or restored since they were erected in the church over 140 years ago.

The principle triple light east window has the typical Ferguson & Urie scroll design. In the ribbon of the centre light is the verse from John 14-6: “I AM THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE”

The text at the bottom of each lancet has the names of each of the donors:
“Ye gift of Mrs John Edols AD 1866” | “Ye gift of Mrs Dugald Macpherson AD 1866” | “Ye gift of Mrs Peter Ingles AD 1866”

Photos were taken 29 Dec 2010.
Some of the dark patches seen in the borders of some windows in the vestry are from a thick carpet of spider webs on the inside and outside of the windows.

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The Donors:

Edols:

Mrs John Edols (Margaret) was the wife of John Edols Esq (1817-1888)., of Dariwell Park, he was appointed as a trustee[1] of the Ballan Race track and recreational reserve in July 1860, along with Dugald MacPherson and others and also acted as a steward[2] at the Ballan racing events. Margaret Edols (nee Brown) died[3] at “Ingliston” on the 17th of September 1872 and was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery on the 19th of September 1872 [4]. John Edols left the Ballan area circa 1888 and died at “Bryan O’Lynn”, near Warrnambool on the 28th December 1888 [5]. He was buried at the Tower Hill Cemetery.

MacPherson:

Mrs Dugald MacPherson was Mary Elizabeth MacPherson (nee O’Cock), wife of Ballan Councillor Dugald Macpherson (1820-1901) of Bungeeltap. She died at Bungeeltap-house” at Ballan in August 1916 and was buried at the Ballan New Cemetery on Wednesday 16th August 1916[6]. Dugald MacPherson died at Bungeeltap, Ballan, on the 20th of October 1901 aged 81 [7] .

Inglis:

Mrs Peter Inglis, wife of Ballarat magistrate, Peter Inglis of Ingliston. Peter Inglis died on the 6th of July 1869, aged 73 [8].

HISTORY OF BALLARAT, page 6

“In the year 1843, Mr. Peter Inglis, who had a station at Ballan, took up the Warrenheip run, and shortly after that purchased the Lal Lal station, and throwing them both together, grazed on the united runs one of the largest herds in the colony. The western boundary of Mr. Inglis’ Warrenheip run marched with the eastern boundary of Mr. Yuille’s run, the line being struck by marked trees running from Mount Buninyong across Brown Hill to Slaty Creek. Mr. Donald Stewart, now of Buninyong, was stock-rider for Mr. Inglis, on the Warrenheip and Lal Lal stations, and superintendent during the minority of the present owner of Lal Lal”.

Related posts:  22-07-1866 > 28-07-1866 > 13-08-1867

External links:

Museum Vic: Dugald Macpherson (1820-1901)

Obituaries: Peter Inglis.

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Monday 12th July 1869, page 5.

Obituaries Australia

Apr 14 2012

01-02-1936: Trinity Presbyterian Church, Camberwell, Melbourne, Victoria.

The Argus, Melbourne, Saturday 1st February 1936, page 10.

“At Trinity Presbyterian Church Camberwell, to-morrow morning, the Rev. R. Wilson Macaulay will dedicate a large English[sic] stained glass window removed from the old West Melbourne Presbyterian Church. The window is to commemorate the ministry of the Rev. P. J. Murdoch, who was minister at West Melbourne from 1884 to 1887, when he was called to Camberwell, where he occupied the pulpit for many years”.

The article incorrectly reports the window as “English” when it was in fact made by the Ferguson & Urie stained glass company in North Melbourne. All of the stained glass windows in the old West Melbourne church were made by this firm and when it was dismantled in 1935, it was reconstructed as St. Andrew’s at Box Hill and thirteen of the original fourteen nave windows were reinstalled in the Box Hill church. The the other window (mentioned in the above article) went to the Trinity Church in Camberwell. This window was donated by Sir Keith & Lady Murdoch in the name of Sir Keith’s father the, Rev. Patrick John Murdoch, as indicated during the church jubilee service on the 8th September 1935. (see post 09-09-1935).

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Biography: Rev Patrick John Murdoch (1850-1940)

Biography: Sir Keith Arthur Murdoch (1885-1952).

Related posts: 29-04-1867 > 02-05-1867>  27-04-1935 > 09-09-1935 > 16-12-1935 > 01-02-1936

To see a slideshow of the entire cycle of windows at St Andrews Box Hill, see post:  27-04-1935

Short link to this page: http://wp.me/p28nLD-MZ

Apr 14 2012

16-12-1935: St. Andrew’s, Box Hill, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

The Argus, Melbourne, Monday 16th December 1935, page 4.

“The Pulpit – ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH TRANSFERRED. Opened on New Site at Box Hill”.

“With the original key which opened the old Gothic doors of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church at West Melbourne, the same doors were reopened on Saturday, when the church, which has been re-erected at White Horse road, Box Hill, was dedicated on its new site in the presence of nearly 1,000 people…”

“…The Apostle window, valued at £1,500, has been placed in the lower portion of the tower, visible within the church above a gallery. Flood-lighting will make it visible at night from the road…”

The Apostle window and all other windows in the Box Hill Church came from the former West Melbourne Church, all of which were made by Ferguson & Urie. The final service in the old West Melbourne Church was held on Sunday 3rd February 1935.

Note: Only images of the Apostle window are shown in this slide show. The photos were taken on the 28th November 2010. There was no access to the gallery for closeup shots and only portions of the windows could be taken from varying angles with a zoom lens.

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To see a slideshow of the entire cycle of windows at St Andrews Box Hill, see post:  27-04-1935

Related posts: 29-04-1867 > 02-05-1867>  27-04-1935 > 09-09-1935 > 16-12-1935 > 01-02-1936

Short link to this page: https://wp.me/p28nLD-MX

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Apr 8 2012

24-03-1893: Christian Chapel, St Leonard’s Rd, Ascot Vale, Melbourne, Victoria.

The North Melbourne Advertiser, Friday 24th March 1893, page 2.

“[…] The whole of e building is lighted by ten windows, all filled with tinted cathedral glass, giving subdued effect to the interior[…].”“[…] Stained glass by Ferguson and Urie […]”

The new Christian Chapel is St Leonard’s road Ascot Vale was opened on Sunday the 19th of March 1893.

The church was described in the full article as wooden but there is no such building on the current site anymore.

Apr 5 2012

03-03-1888: St Andrew’s Church, Sydney Road, Brunswick, Melbourne, Victoria.

The Presbyterian Church of Brunswick, now known as St Andrew’s, was the design of architect Evander McIver and was opened on the 2nd August 1885 (see entry for 14-08-1885). All of the stained glass in St Andrew’s was executed by the Ferguson & Urie Stained Glass Company of Curzon Street, North Melbourne.

In early 1888 Evander McIvor presented a stained glass window to the memory of his wife, Mary Louisa Buzaglo, second daughter of  William Frederick Buzaglo, secretary for the shire of Coburg. Mary died at the age of 37 on the 1st October 1887.

The North Melbourne Advertiser, Saturday 3rd March 1888, page 2.

“MEMORIAL WINDOW”

 “The Presbyterian Church, Brunswick, has been enriched by a handsome memorial stained glass window, presented by Mr. Evander McIver. It is in three bays at the rear of the rostrum, the side bays in trefoils of pleasing floral designs, and the centre bay a three 3 light lancet window bearing the following inscription:- “In Sacred Memory of Mary Louisa Buzaglo, the beloved wife of Evander McIver – a dutiful daughter, and affectionate sister, a faithful friend, a devoted mother, a loving wife, a consistent Christian. Died 1st October, 1887”. The subjects illustrated are from the Life of Christ, the part above the inscription bearing the representation of The Lord’s Supper and extending over the three lights. The upper part of the central light represents Christ before Pilate. “Behold the Man!” and the side light with the subject, “Naked, and Ye Clothed Me,” and Mary anointing Jesus Feet. Each of these subjects are surmounted by a very rich antique canopy elaborately designed. The columns are rich blending and harmonizing with nice effect. The work has been executed by the well known firm of Messrs. Ferguson and Urie, and as a specimen of ecclesiastical art it is highly creditable. A new feature in this window is that is can be illuminated by gas at night, this having been effected by Messrs. Danks and Son, of Bourke street.”

Photos taken: 14th Nov 2010.T hese images are of the Mary Louisa Buzaglo memorial window, wife of the church architect, Evander McIvor.

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The Rose window and other Ferguson & Urie stained glass in St Andrew’s were restored by Wesley Vine Stained Glass studio c.2010.

Related posts: 14-08-1885 (All windows in St Andrew’s by Ferguson & Urie)

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Apr 1 2012

14-08-1885: St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Sydney Rd, Brunswick, Melbourne, Victoria.

North Melbourne Advertiser, Friday 14th August 1885, page 3.

“BRUNSWICK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.”

“The new church erected by the Presbyterian congregation of Brunswick was opened on the 2nd inst.…”

“…The gable in the façade that faces Sydney road has a large and finely proportioned tracery window, filled in with a design in stained glass to the memory of the late Mrs. M. L. Hutchinson…”

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church was built by Evander McIver. All the stained glass in the church was created by Ferguson & Urie which also includes a memorial window to McIver’s wife in the chancel.

Photos taken 14th Nov 2010 on the church re-opening day.

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Conservation & restoration work on the windows was conducted by the Wesley Vine studio c.2010.

Related posts: 03-03-1888: St Andrew’s Church, Sydney Road, Brunswick, Melbourne, Victoria.

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Mar 18 2012

26-04-1879: St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Creek Street, Brisbane, Queensland.

In April 1879  Ferguson & Urie stained glass was represented in the Creek Street Presbyterian Church in Brisbane and was the gift of the Premier of Queensland, Sir Thomas McIllwraith (1835-1900).

In 1885 the Creek Street Presbyterian congregation were persuaded to sell their land to the Queensland National Bank for the sum of ₤18,750. As a result, the congregation acquired the Spring Hill property, which had been the site of the first Children’s Hospital. Much of the stonework from the demolished Creek Street Church was used in the new building as well as iron railings and gates, and the stained glass windows.

The foundation stone of the new church was laid at Spring Hill on the 8th of October 1887 and was dedicated in May 1889. The church is now known as St Paul’s, Spring Hill and still contains the original historic Ferguson & Urie windows which are now installed in pairs high up on the right and left above the chancel. The windows are arranged in pairs with the old testament characters ‘Isaiah’ & ‘Jeremiah’ on the left and ‘Ezekiel’ & ‘Daniel’ on the right.

Photos taken 01/03/2011.

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The Brisbane Courier, Queensland, Saturday 26th April 1879, page 5.

 “A HANDSOM donation in the shape of four stained glass windows, has recently been made by a member of he congregation of the Creek-street Presbyterian Church. The windows which have been placed in the southern end of the building over the pulpit contain representations of the four Major Prophets – Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel – the distinctive characteristics of each being beautifully illustrated, while the colors in each instance are so arranged as to have a very pleasing effect. The space in each window surrounding the design itself is filled in with an elegant geometric pattern, the whole being edged with a chaste bordering. In size the windows are each 12ft by 2ft, and are certainly on the whole the finest specimens of this branch of he art as yet to be seen in this city. The manufacturers are Messrs. Ferguson and Urie, of Melbourne, and their style in which they have turned out their work will compare favourably with that shown by the best English makers”.

Western Star and Roma Advertiser, Toowoomba, QLD, Monday 21st April 1879, page 2.

“Brisbane. [from our own correspondent] April 20.
VALUABLE PRESENTATION BY THE PREMIER
The hon T. McIllwraith, Premier and Colonial Treasurer, has just presented a stained glass window to the Creek-street Presbyterian Church.”

External links:

Biography: Sir Thomas McIllwraith (1835-1900)

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