The Rev. R. W. Needham memorial window.
South Australian Register, Adelaide, Saturday 2nd November 1867, page 3.
“MOUNT GAMBIER”
“NEEDHAM MEMORIAL WINDOW.- Some time ago it was proposed to fill in with stained glass the chancel window of Christchurch, as a memorial of the late Rev. Mr. Needham; but owing to the want of funds the centre light as yet has only been completed. The subject chosen was that of the Ascension, which has been artistically carried out in the ‘atelier’of Messrs. Ferguson, Urie, and Lyon, of Melbourne, to whom too much praise cannot be awarded for their masterly rendering of the subject. The grouping and drawing of the figures are in excellent taste, and the principal figure – that of our Saviour – is a glorious conception, and stands out from the background with a relieve almost stereoscopic. The purple drapery of this figure is one of the most magnificent pieces of colouring we have ever seen. On a hand under the figure of the Saviour is His promise:-“I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am ye may be also;” and in the lower part of the window, under the group of Apostles, &c., is a shield with the following inscription:- “In memoriam R. W. Needham, died 3rd Decr., 1865. First incumbent of this Church.”
Note: Christ Church Mount Gambier also has many other Ferguson & Urie stained glass windows. All are displayed in this slide show along with the east ‘Needham’ memorial window.
Border Watch, Mount Gambier, SA, Saturday 19th October 1867, page 2.
“MEMORIAL WINDOW CHRIST CHURCH.-We were yesterday permitted to inspect a memorial window which has been placed in the east front of the Church of England over the Communion table, in memory of the Rev. R. W. Needham. The work which is of a very high is in the medieval style and the colored glasses of which the window is composed are so admirably matched and graduated in shade that the whole might very readily be taken for a painting by an artist of no mean attainments. The upper portion of the window is descriptive of teh ascension. Between these compartments are two angels bearing a scroll on which is inscribed the words, “Jesus shal so come as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Beneath the lower compartment are the words, “I go to prepare a place for you that where I am ye may be also.” At the base of the window, the object of the memorial is expressed by the words “In memory of the Rev. R. W. Needham who died December 3rd, 1866, first Incumbant [sic] of this Church.” The memorial window is alike creditable to those who subscribed the fund for its erection, the designer, Mr. T. W. Gore, and the artists who executed the work in Melbourne.”
Ferguson and Urie 