Category Victoria

Apr 5 2012

03-09-1889: St. Paul’s Church, Warragul, Victoria.

St Paul’s Anglican Church at Warragul is the home to two historic stained glass windows that were formerly in the old St Paul’s church in Melbourne.

The old St Paul’s, known as the Pro-Cathedral, was located on the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets and was demolished in 1885 to make way for the new St. Paul’s Cathedral. Two single light stained glass windows, depicting St Peter and St Paul, were removed in mid 1885 just prior to its demolition. The whereabouts of the windows remained a mystery for the next four years.

Both windows were made by Ferguson & Urie of  North Melbourne and they resurfaced again in 1889 when the Gippsland tabloids wrote that Mr. James Burston had purchased them from the cathedral authorities and subsequently gifted them to the Warragul Church .

The windows were unveiled in St Paul’s church at Warragul on Sunday 6th October 1889, but again this would not be their last move. The Warragul church was originally a small timber building dating from circa 1881 and was replaced by the current brick building, the foundation stone having been laid by the Hon. William Pearson M.L.C. on the 29th July 1908.

The two windows were again saved and were re-erected in the new church either side of the chancel where they reside to this day.

Photos taken 4th December 2011.

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Warragul Guardian and Buln Buln and Narracan Shire Advocate, Friday 13th September 1889, p3.

“A very valuable gift has been made to St. Paul’s church, Warragul during the past week by James Burston Esq., of Melbourne, of two handsome stained glass windows representing St. Peter and St. Paul.  They were formerly in St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral, Melbourne and were purchased by the donor from the Cathedral authorities.  It is expected that the ceremony of unveiling them will shortly be performed by one of the prominent Melbourne clergy, when special services will be held.  A useful addition has also recently been made of a beautifully worked blackwood pulpit, the handiwork of Mr. J. K.. Keen, now of Mildura.  The workmanship is remarkably good, and it would be a difficult matter, even in the city, to surpass it.”

Warragul Guardian and Buln Buln and Narracan Shire Advocate, Friday 4th October 1889, p2.

“The stained glass windows recently donated to St. Paul’s Church, Warragul, of which we gave a description, will be unveiled on Sunday next”

Warragul Guardian and Buln Buln and Narracan Shire Advocate, Tuesday 8th October 1889, p3.

“The stained glass windows which we recently noticed as having been presented to St. Paul’s Church, Warragul, by Mr. James Burston, of Melbourne, were unveiled on Sunday morning by the Rev. F. W. Willcox. As the coverings were removed their remarkable beauty was revealed to the public for the first time. St. Peter is represented with the usual key in his hands and St. Paul with the sword and the mellow and harmonious colorings were the subject of much comment at the conclusion of the service. The church committee may be congratulated upon the acquisition of what are really works of art, and it is hoped that before long some of the generously-minded will further beautify the church by adding stained glass to the centre window of the chancel”.

There were a number of other Ferguson & Urie windows in the old St Paul’s church in Flinders St, one of which was the three light chancel window dedicated to  the “Prince Consort”, which found its home in St. John’s at Sorrento.

Related posts:

27-07-1885: St Paul’s Pro Cathedral, Flinders St, Melbourne, Victoria.

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Apr 5 2012

19-08-1889: Sale of the Ferguson & Urie building in Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria.

The Argus, Melbourne, Monday 19th August 1889, page 8.

“CENTRAL CITY PROPERTY. To Banking and Insurance Companies and Others. That CENTRAL PROPERTY. No. 10 Collins-street East, For Sale. Principals only. Apply Ferguson and Urie, 10 Collins-street East”.

Financial market turmoil has begun and it’s likely the sale of the flagship Collins street building is the first casualty to fall in the company. The stock market crashed in 1890 and many businesses fell under pressure from the market woes. This was the first attempt by the company to sell the building but it was not sold until until 1901.

The building at 10 Collins Street (later 281-283) was built in 1884 and demolished circa 1915.

The Ferguson & Urie Building at 10 Collins Street East.

The Ferguson & Urie Building at 10 Collins Street East.

Related posts:

30-09-1873: For sale, 10 Collins Street.

20-03-1884: Ferguson & Urie building facade approved to be made of Hydraulic Freestone.

22-08-1884 : Ferguson & Urie’s new premises.

14-11-1899: The Auction of 283 Collins Street.

21-02-1901: The Citizens Life Assurance Company purchases the building.

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Apr 5 2012

05-01-1889: St John’s Anglican Church, Port Fairy, Victoria, Australia.

St John’s Anglican Church in Port Fairy was designed by Nathaniel Billing and was built of bluestone between 1854‐1856. It was supposedly the first church in Victoria with a full chancel. The two largest stained glass windows were made by Ferguson & Urie of North Melbourne.

Photos were taken 7th Jan 2011.

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Australian Town and Country Journal, NSW, Saturday 5th January 1889, page 26.

“… the Anglican Church, with its ivy-clad walls, presents a picturesque appearance. The interior is beautified by a splendid stained glass memorial window, representing Faith, Hope, and Charity. This was presented by Mr. A. H. Knight, of Koorongah, in memory of his wife, who died in England in 1886. The chancel window displays most artistic workmanship, and was the gift of Mr. Lydiard. The church is substantially constructed of bluestone, and was erected as a cost of £14,000…”

The Lydiard memorial window:

The three light chancel window is a memorial to Cecilia Lydiard (nee Wooldridge 1848-1871). She was the daughter of Henry Wooldridge and Sarah Anne Buckland and died at the age of 31 in Belfast (Port Fairy) in 1871. The centre light of the stained glass chancel window has the memorial text:  “IN MEMORY OF CECILIA WIFE OF G. LYDIARD”.

George Fletcher Lydiard (1833-1925) was the son of Admiral George William Charles Lydiard (R.N) and Mary Sturt. After Cecilia’s death George married Adelaide Frances Campbell (1856-1901) on the 2nd August 1877[1]. In 1877 George Lydiard was unanimously elected as president of the shire of Belfast (Port Fairy)[2] and re-elected in 1878[3]. He was also appointed Vice President of Belfast Farmers Union 11th October 1879[4]. Lydiard was also a long-time friend and business partner of Andrew Halley Knight (see below) in the Koorongah Estate sheep station and in 1881 it was Knight, whilst in England, who relayed to Lydiard his findings, for a cure of Lungworm in Sheep and subsequently the estate was one of the first in Victoria to install a Carbolic acid fumigating room for the treatment[5]. G. F. Lydiard died at Euroa in 1925[6] aged 93.

The Knight Memorial window: c.1887.

The three light stained glass window of Faith Hope & Charity is a memorial to Elizabeth Hawkins Knight (nee Grylls, 1827-1886) and possibly made c. 1887.

The lower edge of the window can’t be seen to ascertain if there is any text but the subject of the memorial was Elizabeth Hawkins Knight (nee Grylls, 1827-1886) who was the daughter of the Rev John Crouch Grylls of Sydney and Sarah Richards. She married Andrew Halley Knight at St James Cathedral in Melbourne on 22 Aug 1848[7]. Her husband, Andrew Halley Knight (1813-1904), had arrived in Port Phillip from Edinburgh in 1838 and started business as ‘Alison & Knight’ merchants in Collins Street Melbourne. He owned extensive sheep runs around Kalkallo and Koorongah Estate near Port Fairly. After Elizabeth died in England in December 1886 he then married Ada Jane Atwood (1847-1941)[8] in Sussex in 1888.  A. H. Knight died at Croydon on the 6th July 1904.

Footnotes:

[6] Victorian Births, Deaths & Marriages (Vic BDM): 5153/1925

[7] The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser, NSW, Saturday 9 September 1848, page3.

[8] Vic BDM: 8703/1941, Ada Jane Halley Knight, died Toorak, age 94 in 1941.

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Apr 5 2012

27-07-1888: Flemington & Kensington Council.

The Argus, Melbourne, Friday 27 July 1888, page 9.

“FLEMINGTON AND KENSINGTON (Borough). By effluxion of the time three councillors retire, viz, the mayor, (Councillor Urie), Councillors F. Melville, and J. Mitchell. These gentlemen seek re-election, and are opposed by Mr. R. Donovan, of the Pastoral Hotel. Mr Leonard, the local auditor, has been returned unopposed”.

Apr 5 2012

10-03-1888: The 1888 Ferguson & Urie Employee Dinner.

North Melbourne Advertiser, Saturday 10th March 1888, page 2

“Messrs. Ferguson and Urie gave their Annual Dinner to their employės in the North Melbourne Town Hall, last evening, when a most enjoyable time was spent, and a number of songs and recitations were indulged in. One of he principal toasts was the health of Mr. William Urie, who with his uncle, Mr, John Yeaman, leaves by the R.M.S. Victoria to-day, on a nine months trip to the old country. A full report will appear in our next issue.”

 

Related pages: (Full transcriptions of the dinners).

The 1886 Employee Dinner
The 1887 Employee Dinner
The 1888 Employee Dinner

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 4 2012

31-01-1888: The fire at the Ferguson & Urie Yarra Bank workshops.

In the early hours of the 31st of January 1888 a fire broke out at the rear of Glover & Co’s foundry in Normanby-road, Yarra Bank (now South Melbourne) which in turn destroyed the adjoining Ferguson & Urie glass store. Reports of the fire were published in the Brisbane Courier, Sydney Morning Herald and Hobart Mercury tabloids. Despite the building being insured the company decided not to re-build the workshop and no longer had any presence in South Melbourne.

The Argus, Melbourne, Tuesday 31st January 1888, page 7.

“FIRE AT YARRA BANK SOUTH”.

“A destructive fire broke out early this morning in the factory of Messrs. Ferguson and Urie, glass stainers and importers of plate and sheet window-glass, Normanby-road, Yarra-bank south, which resulted in the destruction of the greater part of the premises. The flames also extended to the premises of Messrs. Wm. Glover and Co, iron-founders, where a considerable amount of damage was caused. The boats were removed from the yard of Mr. James Cowan, shipwright, but no damage was done to the buildings. At two o’clock the fire had got a firm hold of Ferguson and Urie’s, and the rear portion of the premises was completely gutted. Several fire brigades had arrived on the scene, and were playing freely on the burning buildings. It is not at present known how the fire began. Shortly after half-past 2 o’clock a second fire engine was brought to the scene, and the fire, although still burning, was thought to be in no danger of spreading further”.

The image of the Yarra Bank workshop below is a subset taken from the June 1887 company dinner photos.

Ferguson & Urie Yarra Bank Store 1887

Ferguson & Urie Yarra Bank Store, June 1887

The Argus, Melbourne, 1st February 1888, page 8 & The Mercury, Hobart, Friday 3rd February 1888.

“SERIOUS FIRE ON YARRA BANK SOUTH, DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT £8,500.

“No explanation has yet been found for the origin of the fire which occurred early on Tuesday morning at the store of Messrs. Ferguson and Urie, Normanby-road, on Yarra bank, and a report of which appeared in a late edition of The Argus yesterday. It is believed by some persons, including members of the fire brigade, that it originated in the rear corner of Messrs. Glover and Co.’s foundry adjoining the glass store. But, on the other hand, Messrs. Glover and Co. state that a watchman was on their premises who declares that the fire was burning in Messrs. Ferguson and Urie’s store.”

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Apr 4 2012

01-01-1888: The Ferguson Clan at Ayr Cottage, Parkville.

On the new years day in 1888 the Ferguson family clan assembled at James Ferguson’s ‘Ayr Cottage’ in Leonard street Royal Park (now Parkville) for festivities and a family photo.

The first photo shows the front of the house from Leonard street with eight of the family members out front and the second photos is of of the entire family on the east side of the house with James Ferguson in the centre with grey hair and bow tie.

The family photo was kindly contributed by Errol Vincent from New Zealand and he and his wife Ann also assisted with the extensive identification of all the family members in the photo.

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Related posts:

1886: The History of ‘Ayr’ Cottage, 1 Leonard St. Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria.

08-10-1887: ‘Ayr Cottage’, 1 Leonard Street, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria.

18-04-1894: James Ferguson (1818-1894)

04-07-1901: The sale of Ayr Cottage, Parkville, Melbourne.

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Apr 3 2012

06-07-1887: CLARKE and Co, Brokers, Melbourne.

The Argus, Melbourne, Wednesday 6th July 1887, page 3.

“NOTICE of REMOVAL. From and after the 1st of July, And during the building of new premises, Our business will be carried on at Number 10 COLLINS-STREET EAST, In Messrs. Ferguson and Urie’s Buildings. CLARKE and Co, Brokers, 88 Elizabeth-street”.

Nothing known about Clarke  & Co as tenants of the Ferguson & Urie Building in 1887.

Apr 3 2012

25-06-1887: The 1887 Ferguson & Urie Employee Dinner.

The North Melbourne Advertiser, Saturday 25th June 1887, Page 3

“MESSRS FERGUSON AND URIE’S DINNER TO THEIR EMPLOYEES.”

The 1887 Employee dinner was probably one of the most significant occasions in the company history as there is some magnificent pictorial evidence. Two significant historical photos were discussed at the beginning of the dinner and copies of both still exist.

The first photo mentioned was the portrait of James Ferguson and James Urie together and the second one was a large poster collage of James Ferguson & James Urie in the centre surrounded by 29 photos of the employees of the time and the three business premises at Collins Street Melbourne, Curzon Street North Melbourne and Yarra Bank South (which burnt down on the 31st Jan 1888).

The full transcription of the evenings proceeds can be seen here: The 1887 Employee Dinner

The magnificent 1887 employee poster was kindly provided via Mrs. Noelle Nathan from the James Urie family line, 17th Apr 2011 and the James Ferguson & James Urie portrait is from my family history collections.

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Related pages:

1886: The 1886 Employee Dinner
1887: The 1887 Employee Dinner
1888: The 1888 Employee Dinner