Category St Stephen’s

Sep 10 2012

1865: St Stephen’s Church, Mount Waverley, Victoria.

St Stephen’s Church at Mount Waverley was designed by architect Nathaniel Billing and built for modest sum of £370 and was opened on the 23rd of July 1865. The circular west window was reported to be made by Ferguson & Urie as indicated in the church Gazette of 16th August 1865. Fifty years later the entire window was blown in during a storm in late November 1915 and fell 18 feet to the floor of the church. The extent of damage the window suffered at the time is not known but it was repaired and re-installed and still exists in the position it was placed, which is now nearly one and a half centuries ago.

Photos taken 3rd February 2013.

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The Oakleigh and Caulfield Times, Vic, Saturday 27th November 1915, page 4.

“St Stephen’s Church, Mt. Waverley.

JUBILEE CELEBRATION.

“The celebration of the jubilee of the above church, which was quite an event in the district, took place on Sunday, 19th September, and we have held back the report in order to gather particulars of the church’s past history, which is appended…”

“…We extract from the “Church Gazette.” Of August 16, 1865, the following report of the opening services, tea and public meeting:- “St Stephen’s Church. Waverley, District of Malvern and Oakleigh – This pretty little church, which was opened for divine worship on the 23rd ult, is built in the early English style of variegated brick work, and will seat 100 persons. It is an admirable specimen of what can be produced for the small sum of £370, and reflects much credit on the architect, Mr N. Billing, who designed and superintended its erection gratuitously. In the west end is a neat circular stained glass window, presented by Mesrs Fergusson [sic] and Urie…”

The Oakleigh and Caulfield Times, Vic, Saturday 4th December 1915, page 3

“Our Letter Box.
A WORD OF APPRECIATION.
To The Editor.

Sir, – I wish on behalf of the Vestry of St Stephens’ Church to thank you for the splendid report in last week’s issue. There are, however, two corrections which you might set right. The late Mr W. Q. Hore, senr., he was a vestryman, and the tablet mentioned is his (E. Hore’s) memory; the first services were held in his house. Mr C. Doolan’s name was omitted from the present vestry, he being the oldest and one of the most consistent supporters of the Church probably for nearly 40 years. A strange coincidence happened during stormy weather last Sunday. During the service the stained glass window, gift of Messrs Ferguson and Urie, mentioned in your report, was blown in and fell with a crash. No one was injured, I am glad to say; it had a fall of about 18ft.

Yours faithfully,
CHAS H. COLEMAN.
Mt Waverley,
Dec. 1, 1915.

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Jun 8 2012

29-12-1888: St Stephen’s Anglican, Portland, Victoria.

Melbourne’s Bishop Charles Perry had originally offered to obtain an Iron Church for the Portland Congregation but at a meeting held on October 6th 1854 the offer was rejected in favour of building a stone church. Apart from funds already collected, the merchant Stephen George Henty had offered an additional £750 towards the building fund. The foundation stone of St Stephen’s was laid by Archdeacon Henry Thomas Braim on the 24th of March 1855 and the incomplete church was opened by Bishop Perry on the 11th May 1856. The Rev James Yelverton Wilson was installed as the first incumbent, retiring  in 1869.

There were three known Ferguson & Urie windows erected in St Stephen’s but only two have been identified as extant so far. The triple light Chancel (east) window was made by the firm and is a memorial to Stephen George Henty (1811-1872) and depicts the significant scenes in the life of Christ.  A single light window depicting ‘The Good Samaritan” is a memorial to the solicitor Philip Scott who died on the 21st of July 1870. The window not located was a memorial to the first incumbent of the church, the Rev. James Yelverton Wilson. A description of the window, it’s memorial text, and reference to the makers as Ferguson & Urie was published in the Portland Guardian in 1876 (see post 24-10-1879).

Detailed images of the Stephen George Henty and the Philip Scott windows are depicted in the slideshow below.

Photos were taken 8th January 2011.

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Australian Town and Country Journal, Saturday 29th December 1888, page 25.

“… The Anglican Church, an ivy-clad structure, contains many interesting mementos of the Henty family. Upon the walls of the organ chamber a handsome brass tablet is seen, bearing the following inscription – “Edward Henty, who landed on these shores on the 19th November, 1834, became the founder of Portland and the pioneer settler of Victoria; this memorial chamber was dedicated by Anna Maria Henty, his sorrowing widow. He was born at West Tarring, in the county of Sussex, on the 28th march, 1810, and died on the 14th August, 1878.” There is also a splendid brass lectern, presented by Francis Henty, in memory of his wife, who died on November 27, 1881. Several stained glass windows beautify the interior of the building. One is to the memory of Philip Scott, a much respected lawyer. A baptistery has lately been built. It was the bequest of Mary Vine, who died some six years ago, and who wished to have this erected in memory of her husband. The church was formally opened in 1856 …”

Portland Guardian, Vic, Monday 30th August 1943, page 4.

“… A large triple light stained window is a memorial of Stephen George Henty. A similar window adorns the South Wall of the church in memory of Edward Henty and is a beautiful specimen of artistic work. Other stained windows in commemoration of past parishioners include those of Rev. J. Y. Wilson, Phillip Scott, T. Most and his wife. W. Jones, G. Day, wife and sons. W. Corney. F. E. Levett and wife …”

The Scott memorial window.

A prancing Stag appears at the top of the window with the letters “AMO” below, from the Scottish Clan “Scott” meaning “I Love”.
One of the most powerful of the Border families, the name was derived from the Scots who invaded Dalriada (Argyll) from Ireland and the surname is found in all parts of Scotland.

The single light window depicts the Good Samaritan and has the following text:

LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR. LUKE 10th 27.

An angel below holds a banner with the text: “BLESSED ARE THE DEAD WHICH DIE IN THE LORD”

The memorial text at the bottom reads: “IN MEMORY OF PHILIP SCOTT SOLICITOR DIED JULY 21st 1870”

The triple light Stephen George Henty window in the chancel:

Portland Guardian, Vic, Friday 16th May 1873, page 5.

“IN MEMORIAM.- The movement inaugurated earlier this year for a memorial to the memory of the late Hon Stephen George Henty, has resulted in a magnificent memorial window in the chancel of St. Stephen’s Church, completed last week and thrown open to public gaze on Sunday last for the first time. The work is the manufacture of Messrs Ferguson, Urie, and Lyon, Melbourne, and was erected under the supervision of Mr Marshall, the outdoor manager of the firm, and in a way to reflect credit on both firm and manager. As is usual in all works of art, whether in painting or groups of statuary, we have the principal figure in the centre – Christ in his character of Saviour robed in majesty, in one hand a globe or orb with the motto “Salvatore Mundi.” The crucifixion occupies the upper compartment of the window and the Nativity the lower. The design is most elaborately worked out in every case, and the coloring and drapery would do no discredit to some of our medieval cathedrals in Europe. All that the modern critic can say is that the taste in church windows has not deteriorated in Victoria, and that Melbourne artists in glass are fully equal to brother artists in any part of the world. It is hardly necessary to state that the bordering in all three compartments of this memorial window is alike in character and consist of beautifully designed vine branches, leaves and bunches of grapes. On the bottom glass in the third or lowest compartment we have in old Roman characters:- “Erected by subscription to the glory of God, and in memory of Stephen George Henty, who died December 18th, 1872.” The best point of view is from the gallery. The blending of the colors is extremely beautiful, and the window forms a very chaste ornament to that church which Mr Henty so largely helped when living amongst us. The side lights to the memorial window might be so toned as to improve the effect and relieve the picture – which at present is more cramped in compass than desirable, the side lights properly toned will afford greater breadth and add to the effect.”

Left light:

The top scene depicts the Agony in the Garden. An angel below holds a banner with the text: KING OF KINGS – REV 19-16
(And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.)

The bottom scene depicts Christ being laid down after being taken down from the cross. An angel below holds a banner with the text: “SON OF GOD – JOHN 1-34”
(And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.)

Centre light:

There are three scenes in the centre light:

Top: The Crucifixion

Centre: Christ with the orb and the text below “SALVATOR MUNDY”.

Bottom: The Nativity.

The lower edge of the window has the memorial text:

ERECTED BY SUBSCRIPTION TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF STEPHEN GEORGE HENTY WHO DIED DECr 18th 1872

Right light:

There are two scenes in the right light:

Top: The Ascension with an angel below holding a banner with the text:”LORD OF LORDS REV 19-16″
(And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.)

Bottom: The Resurrection and Ascension with an angel below holding a banner with the text: “SON OF MAN MARK 10-33”
(Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles)

Related posts:

24-10-1876 St Stephen’s Portland (the missing Rev Yelverton Wilson window!)

External links:

Biography: Stephen George Henty (1811-1872)

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Apr 1 2012

07-12-1885: St. Stephens Roman Catholic Church, Brisbane, Queensland.

The Brisbane Courier, Queensland, Monday 7th December 1885, page 4
also, The Queenslander, Brisbane, Saturday 12th December 1885, page 943.

“The Murphy memorial window in St Stephen’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, Elizabeth-street, has just been completed, and enhances the interior beauty of the building to a degree that should be highly gratifying to those who subscribed so liberally for the work. The Gothic window is 35ft high by 14ft in width, whilst the long lights which form the lower square are about 18ft in length and seven in number. The stained glass work has been most artistically executed. The centre light bears a representation of St Stephen, whilst at the feet of he patron saint is a representation of his martyrdom. The other lights bear representations of Saints Matthew, Peter, Mark, Paul, and Luke, whilst the glass below their feet is decorated with evangelistic emblems – the representations of “The Keys” (St. Peter), “The Eagle” (St. John), “The Winged Lion” (St. Mark), “The Sword” (St. Paul), The Winged Bull” (St. Luke), and “The Angel” (St. Matthew) – all being separate studies. The chief feature of the graceful tracery is a beautifully stained representation of “The Ascension”, and on either side are medallions of Mary and Joseph. The other and smaller spaces in the tracery are suitably decorated with representations of Cherubim. The shading and wise combination of colour throughout the window produce a splendid effect, more especially when viewed from the body of the church. The decoration of the window is the design of Messrs. Ferguson and Urie, Collins-street, Melbourne. The artistic portion of the work was done in that city, whilst the fitting up, which has been well and carefully executed, was intrusted to Messrs. Alexander Young and W. Urie, jun, representatives of the contracting firm. The cost of the decoration of the window, which is the largest but one of its class in the colonies, was something like £1000”.

BRISB St Stephen's 01a

At thirty five feet in entire height, the Murphy Memorial window in Brisbane is undoubtedly the largest window ever created by Ferguson & Urie and also the most expensive. This must have also been considered one of the companies most important works as it’s also the only article mentioned to-date where representatives from the company travelled such a long distance to Queensland to supervise the installation of the window.

Alexander Young and William Urie were employees of the Melbourne firm Ferguson & Urie. William was the son of principal partner James Urie, and Alexander Young was James Urie’s brother in law.

Alexander Young & William Urie, from Ferguson & Urie. June 1887

St Stephens Cathedral also included a copy of my Ferguson & Urie company history in their newsletter of August 2011.St Stephen’s Brisbane [Newsletter August 2011]

The Cathedral “Guide News August 2011, page 1.

“[…] I am also very grateful to Ray Brown who is a descendant of James Ferguson of Ferguson & Urie fame. He provided the Ferguson & Urie story which features on pages 6 to 11 […]”

The photos were taken on the 1st of March 2011.

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Mar 13 2012

18-11-1876: St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Richmond, Melbourne, Victoria.

The foundation stone of St Stephen’s Church was laid in June 1850 and the incomplete church opened in November 1851. In 1863 the north aisle, designed by Nathaniel Billing, was erected and the west wall rebuilt. The south aisle and chancel were erected in 1876 and the choir vestry in 1923.

The Argus, Melbourne, Saturday 18th November 1876, page 7.

“The Church of England in Richmond celebrated its 25th anniversary on Wednesday evening by a festive gathering in the local hall […]”.

 “….The following list of special gifts was also read:- Chancel and stone work of east window at two friends’ joint cost; chancel window, Mr. George Coppin, M.L.A…”

 “… The Rev. C. T. Perks, the incumbent, in his address, said that an old friend had, unsolicited, offered to give a handsome memorial window to commemorate the 25th anniversary. The work was entrusted to Messrs. Fergusson (sic) and Urie.…”

There are four instances of Ferguson & Urie windows in St Stephens church:

1. The west 25th Anniversary window (1851-1876) is a three light window with the outer lancets having geometric designs with the year 1851 in the left window and 1876 in the right. The centre light depicts the Ascension in the top half with the words “HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN” below it and the letters “IHS” in the lower half.  The text at the bottom of the windows reads:  ”GIFT OF JOHN AND MARY J PATERSON LONDON, MARRIED JULY 26th 1859″.

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Thursday 28th July 1859, page 4.

“On the 26th inst., at St. Stephen’s, Richmond, by the Rev. C. Perks, John Paterson, Esq., merchant, Melbourne, to Mary Jane, eldest daughter of the late William Mungo Glaister. Esq., London.”

2. The east five light window in the chancel  was donated by entertainer and politician George Selth Coppin. It depicts a full length figure of St. Stephen, the patron saint of the church, in the centre light. The outer lights, of geometric designs, have in each a medallion of the four evangelists, St Matthew as the winged man, St Mark as a winged Lion, St Luke as the winged Bull and St John as an Eagle. Above the five lights is a roundel depicting the Agnes Dei or Paschal lamb carrying the flag of St George and is surrounded by six round lobes of flora with the heavenly Dove in the top lobe.

3. On the South side of the church there is also a quatrefoil window that depicts the holy dove within a Hexagram, or Star of David, and surrounded by floral designs.

4. On the North side there is a quatrefoil that depicts the gold crown in the centre of floral designs.

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Related posts:

12-07-1862: The Shakespeare window at the Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne (also commissioned by Coppin).

External links:

Biography: George Selth Coppin (1819-1906)

Obituary : Coppin, George Selth (1819–1906) (I submitted this transcription to Obituaries Australia on 13-03-2012).

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