Category Signed Window

Dec 13 2012

27-04-1862: St Giles Presbyterian Church, Geelong, Victoria.

Situated on the west side of Gheringhap Street, between Little Ryrie and Myers Street in Geelong, is the former St Giles Presbyterian Church, also known as the West End or High Church. Ferguson & Urie created the five-light west window, which is the third oldest extant window I’ve found by Ferguson & Urie, and it’s also one of the rare few that have the company name on it. There is also a window depicting the ‘Burning Bush’ (the Presbyterian Motto) at the east end, which includes the date “A.D. 1862”.

Geelong Advertiser, Vic, Tuesday 29th April 1862, page 3.

“…The windows in the front elevation (Gheringhap-street) will be of stained glass, five lights each and traceried; they are being prepared by Messrs Ferguson and Urie of Melbourne, a very handsome and elaborate design, and will not be ready for a few weeks…”

The designs of architect Nathaniel Billing were chosen as a result of a competition entry[1] and Boynton & Conway of Geelong were the building contractors. Although initial designs included a spire, this was never built. The foundation stone was laid on Tuesday the 9th of July 1861 by the treasurer of the new church, Thomas Brown Esq[2], and it was formally opened on Sunday 27th April 1862 [3]. By 1938 St Giles had no minister and it was suggested that it should be pulled down[4] and re-erected in place of the wooden Scots Church in Pakington street Geelong West. This never eventuated and the church continued to serve the congregation for another forty years. St Giles was last used for services in 1977 when the Uniting Church classed the building as redundant and it was sold in 1988. It was then used as an entertainment venue which hosted many live bands and performances by famous rockers such as Jimmy Barnes. How the stained glass windows survived unscathed during this period is remarkable! Photos taken 6th January 2012, except the last two photos in the slideshow which show the full perspective of the liturgical west window, and the Burning Bush window at the liturgical east end. These two photos have been contributed by Geoffrey Wallace, taken in 2006 before the internal office space construction began.

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The latest transformation of the former St Giles church was it’s conversion to offices and it now hosts a medical clinic. The liturgical west window facing Gheringhap street still exists in fairly good condition and can be seen from inside from the landing of an internal staircase. The window is also one of a very rare few early Ferguson & Urie stained glass creations that has the company name on it, located at the base of the centre light. The four lobed round window at the east end depicts the Burning Bush with the motto of the Church of Scotland, “NEC TAMEN CONSUMEBATUR” (Latin – ‘Yet it was not consumed’, an allusion to Exodus 3:1-22 and Moses and the Burning Bush), and also has the year “A:D: 1862”.

Significant newspaper transcriptions:

The Sydney Morning Herald, NSW, Monday 15th July 1861, page 3

“The foundation stone of the new Presbyterian High Church of Victoria was laid on Tuesday, at Geelong, in the presence of a numerous concourse of people. The site of the new building is adjacent to the Presbyterian school on the western side of Gheringhap-street. The ceremony was performed by Mr. Thomas Brown, treasurer to the new church, the Rev. Mr. Fraser commencing the proceedings with singing and prayer. The design of the church is early gothic; it will hold 500 persons, and the entire cost of the edifice with steeple will be £5000. – Herald”

Geelong Advertiser, Vic, Tuesday 29th April 1862, page 3.

“HIGH CHURCH, GHERINGHAP STREET. THIS handsome structure which forms such a prominent feature amongst the ecclesiastical and public edifices of the “west end” of our town may now be pronounced complete. At least, it is complete in so far that it has been devoted to the purpose of its erection, having been consecrated to Divine Worship on Sunday last in presence of a very numerous congregation. The plan comprises the nave, transepts, vaulted recess for rostrum, vestry, two porches, and a tower and spire; and the style of architecture is of the “early decorated” period of Gothic. The tower, and spire, and vestry are not yet built, which, of course, give the edifice externally an unfinished appearance; nor are the nave and transepts, which are to provide the complete seat accommodation; but these are in progress and will be finished by the original contractors. The walls are of bluestone; while the gables, window and door coigns, copings, pinnacles, and dressings to buttresses, &c, generally are of Barrabool freestone. Interiorly – the roof is open to the ridge, supported by arched trusses, the wall-pieces bearing on moulded and carved stone corbels; and all the roof timbers and boarding is stained of a uniform colour and varnished. Ventilation is amply provided by a series of perforated pinnacles and louvred openings, in addition to which the side windows are each made to open partially, and gratings in the passages and in the plinth are arranged with slides to open or shut with pleasure as the state of the weather may require. The windows in the front elevation (Gheringhap-street) will be of stained glass, five lights each and traceried; they are being prepared by Messrs Ferguson and Urie of Melbourne, a very handsome and elaborate design, and will not be ready for a few weeks. The side windows have two lights each with traceried heads, and those to the transepts three lights each. There are also two small gable windows of chaste design. The rostrum and the precentor’s desk and their enclosing railing are of Australian cedar selected with exceeding taste to show the valuable adaptability of this favorite wood for ornamental purposes; and in design the whole is in strict keeping with the other parts of the church. The benches are open, with cut and moulded ends terminating with fleur de-lis; they are all stained and varnished. The whole of the workmanship of the building and its furnishings, inside and out, is of the most creditable character. Mr. Billing, of Melbourne, is the architect, and Boynton and Conway, of Geelong, the contractors for carrying out the works. The church occupies one of the most commanding sites of the town, and, approached by land or seas it will always form a prominent object in the view. It is capable of accommodating about fifteen hundred people.             As we said above, the church was consecrated for Divine Worship on Sunday last. The “opening services” of the day were three – morning, afternoon, and evening. The first and last were conducted by the Rev William Henderson, of Ballarat, and the afternoon service by the Rev Joseph Dare. As an earnest of the interest felt by the congregation in their new church, above L60 was contributed as the customary collections. The opening services will be continued next Sunday by the Rev T. W. K. Frazer, the pastor of the church, the Rev A. J. Campbell, and the Rev A. Love.”

Footnotes:

Short link to this page: http://wp.me/p28nLD-1uJ

 
 
 
 

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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Mar 27 2012

08-06-1881: Holy Trinity Church, Kew, Victoria.

The Australasian Sketcher with Pen and Pencil, Saturday 8th June 1881, page 198.

“INTERIOR OF HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, KEW”.

“The first stone of this church was laid about 20 years ago. It was originally designed to accommodate 400 persons, and then consisted of a nave, a small apsidal chancel, a robing-room and tower (which is still uncompleted), and a south porch. The church is built of bluestone, with white stone dressings. The style selected is early English, about the turn of the 13th century. The nave is covered with a hammer-beam roof having a span of 30ft. 6in. Owing to the increase in the population of the district, and the consequent demand for additional sittings (a demand that was not foreseen when the church was originally designed) it was determined by the church committee abut eight years ago to enlarge the church so as to accommodate 200 additional persons, and after due deliberation it was decided to obtain this accommodation by taking down the old chancel and a portion of the nave, and adding two transepts, a chancel large enough to accommodate the choir and organ chamber on the south side of the chancel, and a vestry on the opposite side. The plan of the building, therefore, as now completed, is cruciform, of which the following are the principal dimensions:- Chancel, 24ft. long by 21ft. wide; nave, 91ft. 6in. long by 36ft. 6in. wide; transepts, each 22ft. long by 28ft. wide. The pulpit, reading desk, choir seats, and pews throughout are all of cedar. In the west end is a fine stained glass memorial window to the late Prince Consort, executed by Messrs. Ferguson and Urie. The internal plastering, carving of the corbels, and the erection of an additional vestry have just been completed. A new organ has also recently been erected at a cost of about £500. The altar is furnished with a handsome frontal, presented by the ladies of the congregation, embroidered in gold and coloured silks by Mrs. Samson, of East Melbourne. The belfry chamber of tower, and the spire (which would complete the church), are not to be carried out at present. The plans, &c., have been furnished by Mr. Barret, of the P.W.D., who made the original designs for the building. The incumbent of he church is the Rev. Canon Vance.”

The Prince Consort (west) window was restored in 2009. The original three light chancel window by Ferguson and Urie now resides in the south transept and has the makers name “Ferguson & Urie” in the lower right corner.

The photos were taken 02/01/2011. Included in the photos is one of the original sketch design for the chancel window circa April 1863.

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Related posts: 03-04-1863 > 24-03-1864 > 29-04-1864 > 13-08-1867

Mar 1 2012

10-09-1862: The Congregational Church, Victoria St, East Melbourne.

The Congregational church was built in 1862 and stands on the corner of Victoria Parade and Simpson Street (176 Simpson Street), East Melbourne. It remained a Congregational Church for more than 70 years until 1937 when the building was sold to the Syrian Orthodox Church. It is now known as the Antiochian Orthodox Church of St Nicholas.

The three-light west window above the principal entrance was crafted by Ferguson & Urie. The centre light contains a scrolling ribbon with a piece of scripture from the King James Bible;

“BEHOLD THE HEAVEN AND HEAVEN OF HEAVENS CANNOT CONTAIN THEE HOW MUCH LESS THIS HOUSE THAT I HAVE BUILDED? 1st KINGS 8:27”

At the bottom edge of the centre light there also appears a very rare occurrence of the company name “Ferguson & Urie”. The two outer lights have obvious evidence of replacement pieces of rudimentary painted glass which have faded to a light brown colour.

Photos were taken: 11th September 2012.

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The Age, Melbourne, Wednesday September 10th 1862, page 3.

 “A new Congregational Church in Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, was opened for public worship on Sunday last. Sermons were preached by the Revs. J. W. Beer, J. Taylor, and J. Bickford. Yesterday evening a public soiree to celebrate the event was held, the ladies of the congregation providing the necessary refreshments gratuitously. A public meeting subsequently took place, at which George Harker, Esq., presided. Addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. L. Poore, I. New, Moss, Day, W. Butters, and J. Beer; and by the Hon. G. Rolfe, M.L.C. The church is a handsome building, though possessing no pretensions to a high order or architecture. It is 65 feet long by 39 wide, and is capable of comfortably seating from 400 to 500 persons. The windows are of stained glass, manufactured by Messrs Ferguson and Urie, of North Melbourne. The building cost altogether 1300; of which about 200 is still due, though a liberal offer was made in the course of the evening by Mr Ramsden, to subscribe 100 if the balance of the debt was raised by the congregation. It need scarcely be mentioned that the cost of the construction is solely borne by the members of the congregation, no portion of it being received from the state-aid grant”.

 

External links:

♦ St Nicholas Church web site

♦ Heritage Victoria

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Feb 14 2012

19-09-1863: Norman Lodge AKA Manyung, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria.

In 1863 Richard Grice of the firm “Grice, Sumner & Co” had his mansion named “Manyung” built at Mornington Peninsula on coastal land then locally known variably as “Schnapper Point” or “Snapper Point”. The most striking decoration to the mansion was a three light secular stained glass window of Gothic design crafted by the North Melbourne stained glass firm Ferguson & Urie circa September 1863[1].

Photos: Attribution to contributors are shown on each of the images. Acknowledgements appear at the bottom of the article.

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The three light Gothic design window depicts Grice’s family crest in the centre light, showing a row of three wild boars on the background of a white shield. This shield is further surrounded by depictions of the Passion Flower on a deep purple background. The outer lights depict further floral emblems and the Passion Flower with predominant background colours of crimson and purple and intricate borders. At the apex is the Lion with the numeral years 18 and 63 flanking it in gold lettering on a crimson background. The base of the right light includes the rare occurrence of the company name “FERGUSON & URIE Nth MELBne” in yellow lettering on a red background.

Richard Grice was also a liberal benefactor to the building of St Mark’s Church at Collingwood (now zoned in Fitzroy), having contributed nearly £13000 towards it’s erection[2] as well as £1000 annually[3]. In 1863 it was contemplated to have a stained glass window erected in St Mark’s “…to perpetuate the recollection of his munificence…”[4]  The designs for the window were prepared[5] by Ferguson & Urie but it was never created despite being mentioned again some fifteen years later, in 1878[6].

Richard Grice died of a stroke on the 4th of November 1882 and was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery on the 6th[7]. After his death ‘Manyung’ changed hands a number of times and in 1947 was purchased by Norman Myer (1897-1956), of the now Coles Myer conglomerate. Myer renamed ‘Manyung’ to ‘Norman Lodge’ and made considerable changes as well as the addition of outbuildings. The property was primarily used for his staff as a holiday house and convalescence home.

As at 2013 Norman Lodge is owned by developer Chas Jacobsen who purchased the property in 2006.

The Argus, Melbourne, Saturday 19th September 1863, page 5.

“The staining of glass may now be included in our list of colonial industries. A specimen of this art, in the shape of a large window intended for the staircase of Mr. R. Grice’s mansion, at Schnapper Point, has just been completed by Messrs. Ferguson and Urie, of Curzon-street, North Melbourne. It is a three light window of Gothic design and it will occupy a space of something like eighty-four square feet. The centre light contains Mr. Grice’s armorial bearings, and the foliage of the passion flower; the outer lights have each a Gothic rose, with the foliage of the oak; while in the upper portion of the window is the figure of a lion surrounded by rose blossoms. The leading colours are ruby and blue, and in working out the details, these tints are so modified as to create a most harmonious whole. The articifers are entitled to great credit for the skilful way in which they have executed their commission. We understand that a colonial stained glass window can be supplied at thirty-three percent less than the market price of such an article imported from England. This intelligence will no doubt be received with satisfaction by churchwardens and others who take a delight in the decoration of ecclesiastical edifices. For some years past, in the mother country, the memorial window has been deemed a more becoming memento mori than the mural monument; and there is no reason why a similar taste should not be created and fostered in Victoria.”

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic Monday 6th November 1882, page 8.

“DEATH OF MR. RICHARD GRICE.

We regret to record the death of Mr. Richard Grice, senior partner in the well known firm of Messrs. Grice, Sumner, and Co., which took place at his town residence, Victoria-parade, Fitzroy, at an early hour on Saturday morning, from paralysis. About three months ago Mr. Grice had a slight attack of paralysis, but he had partly recovered from it, when six weeks ago he was again stricken down. This second attack was a very severe one, and from the first his medical attendants, Drs. Howitt and Williams, had no hope of his recovery. Mr. Grice was born at Bootle, Cumberland, England, England, on the 30th of October, 1813, and was consequently just turned 69 years of age. He was a colonist of 44 years standing, having arrived in Melbourne in 1838 in company with the late Mr. Benjamin Heape, a partnership having been entered into between them in England. They at once commenced business as merchants in Flinders-lane, under the title of Heape and Grice, and they were also interested in squatting properties at Mount Alexander. In 1847 Mr. Grice paid a visit to Europe, and was absent from the colony for about 12 months, when he returned, and he has resided there ever since. The partnership with Mr. Heape was dissolved in 1854, and Mr. T. J. Sumner joined the firm, the title being altered to that of Grice, Sumner, and Co. In 1856 Mr. John Benn was admitted as a partner, and the business of the firm as general merchants and free and bonded store proprietors was principally carried on by the junior partners, Mr. Grice not having taken an active part in the business for many years. The deceased gentleman had for a long period occupied a seat on the board of directors of the Union bank, and that was the only public position he ever accepted. He never took an active part in either politics or municipal affairs. He evinced great interest in our charitable and religious institutions, and was for some years one of the vice-presidents of the Melbourne Hospital. He however, took no active part in management, but contented himself by subscribing liberally. He also materially assisted, by his handsome contributions, in the completion of St. Mark’s Church of England, Fitzroy. Some years ago he purchased an estate at Mornington, and latterly he spent a good deal of his time there. The firm of Grice, Sumner, and Co. is one of the oldest, and ranks amongst the foremost, mercantile houses in the Australian colonies. The deceased leaves a widow, three sons, and four daughters, two of the former and one of the latter being married. The funeral will leave his late residence at 1 o’clock this afternoon for the Melbourne Cemetery. The Very Rev. the Dean of Melbourne will conduct the burial service”.

External links:

Biography – Richard Grice (1813-1882)

Biography – Norman Myer (1897-1956)

Footnotes:

[7] The Argus, Melbourne, Vic Monday 6th November 1882, page 8.

Thanks to:

Michael Galimany of Lovell Chen Architects & Heritage Consultants for the correspondence, and photographs with the permission of Mr Chas Jacobsen, 28 May 2013.

Michael Pater of Pater Leadlights, Beaconsfield, Vic for the detailed photos of his restoration work pieces. The artist who performed the glass painting was Robyn Lingard of “Robyn Lingard Glassworks”.

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