Category Victoria

Jun 25 2012

02-09-1861: Tarrengower Victoria. John Lamb Lyon stained glass.

The Argus, Melbourne, Monday 2nd September 1861, page 5.

“Amongst the contributions which Tarrengower will forward to the forthcoming Exhibition will be a stained-glass window, in the Early English style, the work of Mr. John Lyon, of Maldon”.

There is obviously insufficient detail in the article to distinguish the description of this window from many other windows described as of “Early English style” and there have been no other articles of the time to associate it by dates.  The only other extant window from the same period of late 1861,  is the Ferguson & Urie two light chancel window of St Margaret’s Church in Eltham which is the earliest known extant window by the firm with evidence of communication with Ferguson & Urie and the church in November 1861.

Lyon is not known to have joined Ferguson & Urie until late 1861, making this ‘Tarrengower’ window his own work, but collaboration is possible. If he had created the window completely of his own accord it could only have been done on a very small scale, assuming he did not have any commercial sized kiln for firing the glass in the tiny township of Maldon. Interestingly the exhibition list of awards published in December 1861, mentions Lyon’s entry as a ‘design for stained glass’ and not actually a window!

The English stained glass artist David Relph Drape is known to have been in Maldon at the exact same time as Lyon and they are both likely to have collaborated in the design and manufacture of the two light west window of the Holy Trinity church in Maldon in 1863. Drape was also the architect of Holy Trinity and commenced work with Ferguson & Urie as a stained glass artist on the 8th November 1863.

Related posts:

John Lamb Lyon, Stained Glass Artist, (1835-1916)

External links:

Biography: John Lamb Lyon (1835–1916)

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Jun 22 2012

1880: St Mary’s Anglican Church, Sunbury, Victoria.

St Mary’s Anglican Church in Sunbury was designed by architect Leonard Terry and tenders were advertised for its construction in July 1866. The Church contains many excellent examples of stained glass by Ferguson & Urie. The triple light east window is a memorial to the infant Agnes Petrea Josephine Clarke circa 1879. 

Photos taken 6th February 2011.

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In 1880 the chancel was added to St Mary’s and it’s at this time that the Clarke memorial window was most likely installed. The window is a memorial to Agnes Petrea Josephine Clarke, the infant daughter of Sir William John Clarke and Janet Marion Snodgrass. She was born at the family home, “Rupertswood” mansion in Sunbury on the 3rd of September 1877 but died on the 20th of March 1879 and was buried in the family grave at the Melbourne General Cemetery.

The left lancet of the window depicts St Agnes with the text below: “IN MEMORIAM”wholly

Above the centre lancet is the dove within trefoil tracery. The central scene in the centre light is Christ depicted from Luke 18-16; “Suffer little children to come unto me”. Below that is a cherubic angel, presumably to depict the young Agnus Clarke and it was most likely painted by Ferguson & Urie’s senior stained glass artists David Relph Drape. The bottom edge of the window has the infant’s name: “AGNES PETREA JOSEPHINE CLARKE”.

The right lancet depicts St Mary with the text below “OBIIT MDCCCLXXIX” (1879).

The Argus, Melbourne, Tuesday 4th September 1877, page 1.

“CLARKE.- On the 3rd inst, at Rupertswood, Sunbury, the wife of W. J. Clarke of a daughter.”

The Argus, Melbourne, Monday 24th March 1879, page 1

“CLARKE.- On the 20th inst, at Rupertswood, Sunbury, Agnes Petrea Josephine, beloved youngest daughter of William John and Janet Marion Clarke, aged 18 months”.

St Mary’s Web Site (accessed 22 June 2012)

“… The building of St Mary’s was begun in August 1866 according to the plans of Leonard Terry, which provided for a blue-stone gothic church.  Only the nave was built at this stage for the cost of £1013/10/1.  The building was opened for public worship on 24 November 1867, by Archdeacon McCartney (later Dean of Melbourne). A year later (1868) the church bell was erected at the cost of £22/10/-. The chancel and vestry were added in 1880…”.

“… The stained glass windows behind the altar are believed to have been installed in 1880, when the chancel was added.  They are dedicated to Agnes Clarke, younger daughter of Sir William and Lady Janet Clarke, named after Lady Janet’s mother Agnes Snodgrass.  The left pane depicts St Agnes, who herself died young at the age of twelve and is the patron saint of girls.  The right pane depicts Mary, mother of our Lord Jesus, while the centre panel depicts Jesus welcoming little children…”.

The other small windows in the nave and chancel:

The other smaller windows in the nave and porch are of Ferguson & Urie’s simple stock windows comprising of plain diamond quarries and the red, blue and yellow borders. These would have been the original windows installed at the time of the churches construction in 1866-67. Those in the porch appear to be replicas of the originals.

Related posts:

1884: St Mary’s Anglican Church, Sunbury, Victoria.

1875: Rupertswood Mansion, Sunbury, Victoria.

External links:

Biography: Janet Marion Clarke (nee Snodgrass) (1851–1909)

Biography: Sir William John Clarke (1831-1897)

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Jun 20 2012

1875: Rupertswood Mansion, Sunbury, Victoria.

At the Victorian Intercolonial Exhibition of 1875, Ferguson & Urie exhibited a “…Portion of Staircase Window for Mr. Clarke’s mansion Sunbury…”

The foundation stone for Rupertswood was laid on the 29th of August 1874 and officially opened in the presence of over 1,000 people on the 16th of March 1876.

The windows at Rupertswood are the largest known collection of privately commissioned stained glass created by Ferguson & Urie. Six sets of windows span two floors, three on the bottom floor and three on the top floor. The windows are all of secular design with the bottom floor windows having intricately designed hunting scenes painted by the firm’s senior stained glass artist David Relph Drape. Three of the scenes include Drape’s name or initials near the bottom right corner of each scene.

Photos taken 6th February 2011.

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The Bacchus Marsh Express, Vic, Saturday 31st July 1875, page 4.

“PAINTED windows are not confined to cathedrals, churches and other places of worship. Mr. W. J. Clarke, whose mansion on the Sunbury estate is now in course of completion, under the architectural supervision of Mr. Geo. Brown, has given a large order to Messrs. Fergusson [sic] and Urie, glass-stainers of Collins-street east. What between elaborately embossed side windows in the hall door entrance – very pleasing to the eye – the various shades of colored glass in the ante-rooms, conservatory and billiard-room, and the lantern light above the main staircase, the spectator cannot be struck with the brilliant effect produced. There are three large stained windows on each landing of the grand staircase, those on the lower landing representing sporting scenes, the most prominent figure being “The stag at bay,” boldly and faithfully done after the late Sir Edwin Landseer. Coursing is well depicted in the same window, as are other field sports. Floral decorations occupy the panels on the upper staircase. Altogether, Mr. W. J. Clarke may be congratulated in his absence upon having his ideas so well carried out. Messrs. Chirnside are also adopting stained glass decorations; and if the design submitted be approved of, they will have “The twelve months of the year,” each representing the class of game obtainable here and in the old country, have made an elegant border. Many sketches, all in colors, some lay, others ecclesiastical, are to be seen in the establishment of Messrs. Fergusson [sic] and Urie, the bulk of which have been accepted and executed.- Age.”

The Argus, Melbourne, Friday 17th March 1876, page 7.

“…Mr. W. J. Clarke had issued invitations to upwards of a thousand persons to participate in a fete – one of a series, we believe – given to celebrate the completion of a handsome mansion he has erected on his Sunbury estate, from the plans of Mr. George Browne, the architect of the Theatre Royal in this city. It was literally open house to all comers, and no expense was spared to provide for the entertainment of the guests. The day was everything that could be wished, the sky veiled by grey clouds, and fresh breeze tempering the atmosphere sufficiently to render out of doors not merely tolerable but enjoyable. In the morning the children of the three local schools assembled in front of the house, and signalised the raising of the Victorian flag for the first time on the tower of Rupertswood by giving three lusty cheers…”

Australian Town an Country Journal, NSW, Saturday 3rd March 1877, page 28.

“…Mr. Clarke’s magnificent mansion is situate at Sunbury, about two hours’ ride by train from Melbourne. The foundation stone of this fine building was laid on the 29th August, 1874…”

Victorian Heritage council document (viewed 19 Feb 2012).

“The foundation stone for Rupertswood was laid on 29 August 1874 with some 1000 people in attendance. The mansion was built by contractors George Sumner & Co. from designs prepared by architect George Brown…”.

“… During the ownership of Sir William Clarke, Rupertswood became one of the principal social centres in Victoria, with hundreds of guests arriving at the estate’s private railway platform to attend hunt meets, balls and house parties. Clarke was one of the most prominent people in the colony. He was a member of the Legislative Council and received the colony’s first baronetcy. He was so prominent that he was able to have the Mt Alexander rail line diverted past his property. Hence, the Rupertswood Railway station. The estate also had its own half battery of horse artillery when Sir William Clarke formed a small permanent force in 1885. The drill hall and the vault remain as reminders of this privately sponsored regiment”.

The Birthplace of the Ashes (Rupertswood.com.au – viewed 19 Feb 2012).

“Rupertswood” holds a place in the great sporting rivalry between Australia and England, as it was on a field at “Rupertswood” that the “Ashes” were created. On Christmas Eve of 1882, after a congenial lunch, Sir William Clarke suggested a social game between the English Cricket team and a local side, made up largely of Rupertswood staff. By all accounts, it was an enjoyable game with no one really keeping score, however, it was generally agreed that the English won. Pat Lyons, a worker at “Rupertswood”, clearly remembered the afternoon many years later. It was his understanding that Lady Clarke, at dinner that evening, had presented Ivo Bligh with a pottery urn. It was purported to contain the ashes of a burnt bail. This was a light hearted gesture to commemorate England’s win at “Rupertswood”.

In 1926 the Catholic Salesian Order purchased Rupertswood and 700 acres from the estate of William Naughton to establish a school for the poor. The mansion was restored for used as a convention centre and boutique accommodation and was opened to the public on the 27th January 2002 under the management of Rupertswood Mansions Pty. Ltd.

As at mid 2014 the Salesian Order have not renewed the Rupertswood Mansions Pty, Ltd. contract and have resumed control of the mansion. The entire contents of the mansion was sold at auction in July 2014 and it is no longer open to the public.

Related posts:

30-03-1882: Death of stained glass artist David Relph Drape.

External links:

Biography: Sir William John Clarke (1831-1897)

Biography: Janet Marion Clarke (1851 – 1909)

ABC News, Rupertswood Auction, 9 July 2014.

The Age on-line, Rupertswood Auction, 5 July 2014.

[i] Victorian Intercolonial Exhibition Catalogue 1875, Group 4, page 47.

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Jun 18 2012

1877: Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Coleraine, Victoria.

The three Ferguson & Urie windows in the chancel of Holy Trinity Coleraine are a memorial to the Reverend Francis Thomas Cusack Russell who died aboard the ‘Hampshire’ on his return voyage from England on the 7th of February 1876. The windows depict the Nativity, Crucifixion and Resurrection and were donated by George Trangmar of “Toolang”, Coleraine. Three other Ferguson and Urie windows originally installed in the South wall of the nave were donated by Richard Lewis of “Rifle Downs”, Digby. Another memorial window to Rev. Russell also exists at the former Anglican Church at Merino, also made by Ferguson & Urie.

Photos taken 9th January 2011.

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The memorial text at the base of the Crucifixion window reads:

“These windows were presented to Holy Trinity Church Coleraine by GEORGE TRANGMAR in loving memory of the late Revd F. T. CUSACK RUSSELL, L.L.D. for nearly twenty five years Clergyman of this Parish 1877”.

The Holy Trinity Church at Coleraine was consecrated by Bishop Thornton on Thursday 30th October 1884[1]. The Ferguson & Urie oriel windows, formerly installed in the clerestory, are now mounted within the plain glass windows of the newly constructed south wall.

National Trust Database, File B0667, Holy Trinity Anglican Church & Organ.

“The foundation stone for Holy Trinity Church, Coleraine was laid on 8 February 1865 by the Rev. Dr Francis Thomas Cusack Russell and the first service held on 4 November 1866.…”

“…The three windows in the chancel, The nativity, The Crucifixion and the Resurrection were a memorial to Rev. Dr. Russell donated by local merchant George Trangmar and manufactured by Melbourne firm Ferguson & Urie. The symbolic oriel windows were by Ferguson & Urie.…”

Holy Trinity Coleraine, Church booklet, page 27.

“The three Sanctuary windows were presented to Holy Trinity by George Trangmar of “Toolang” in memory of Dr. Russell when the chancel was built in 1877. The left window depicts the stable at Bethlehem, the centre one the Crucifixion with Jesus at the Last Supper below, and the window on the right shows the resurrection. The Clerestory windows depict various Christian symbols and were the gift of Mr. Richard Lewis, of “Rifle Downs”, Digby”.

GEORGE TRANGMAR 1825-1917

The Argus, Melbourne, Wednesday 25th April 1917, page 8.

“The death is announced this morning of a very old resident of the Western district. Mr, George Trangmar, formerly of Toolang, Coleraine. Mr. Trangmar, who was born at Brighton, England, in 1825, arrived in Victoria in 1849. He joined his brother, Mr. James Trangmar, in business in Portland, but in 1851 went to Coleraine, and opened a store there. He was in business for 25 years at Coleraine, where he took a leading part in local affairs. He was a member of the Wannon Shire Council for very many years, and filled the presidential chair. Some forty years ago he acquired the Toolang estate, ten miles from Coleraine, which he used for sheep farming until about 14 years ago when he sold the property, and came to live in Melbourne with his daughter, Mrs. J. M. Gillespie. The funeral will take place at Coleraine on Friday”.

RICHARD LEWIS (1815-1890)

Richard Lewis was a Sea Captain & later a pastoralist who settled at Emu Creek (later to be named Digby). He built the Wool Pack Inn at Digby in 1843 and purchased the Rifle Downs and later Pleasant Hills, Glenlivet and Hilgay properties. He died at Casterton aged 76 on the 25th of September 1890[2] and was buried in the South Portland cemetery.

Portland Guardian, Vic, Friday 26th September 1890, page 2

“Intelligence has been received here to-day of the death of Mr. Richard Lewis of “Bryngola”. The deceased gentleman succumbed to the terrible complaint Bright’s disease, but was well advanced in years, his age, we understand, being 76. Mr. Lewis was one of the oldest of the pioneers, his connection with this district, we believe, having reached a period of very close on the half-century. He owned at one period Rifle Downs, Pleasant Hills, Glenlivet and Hilgay stations. In accordance with his expressed wish Mr. Lewis’ remains will be brought to Portland for interment, and will be buried tomorrow in the South Cemetery. The funeral leaves the North Station at 1.30 p.m.”

Related posts:

08-12-1867: St Peter’s, Merino (another memorial to Rev. Russell)

External links:

Biography: Francis Thomas Cusack Russell (1823–1876)

 

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Jun 18 2012

26-07-1885: St John’s Anglican Church, Port Albert, Victoria.

On the 14th of January 1884 the tiny wooden church of St John’s at Port Albert was burnt to the ground as a result of a bushfire. Less than a month later a tender of £262 was accepted for its re-construction with the official opening ceremony taking place on the 26th of July 1884.

The Ferguson & Urie three light stained glass window in the chancel is dedicated to Foster Griffiths, the infant son of Griffith Griffiths and Charlotte McCall, who died in October 1872. Griffith commissioned Ferguson & Urie of Melbourne to create a memorial window to his son with the intention of it being installed at a church in the nearby town of Foster but at that time a church had not yet been built at the town. After many years had passed without any action to have one erected it was eventually passed to the Reverend Betts who had it installed in the new St John’s Church at Port Albert in 1885. As at 2012 this is the only Ferguson & Urie window known to still exist in a wooden building.

Photos taken 24th April 2011.

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The text in the ribbons of the central window reads: “I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH Job 19-25”.

The scene depicting the empty tomb has the text below: “HE IS NOT HERE”. The scene does not specify a particular verse and could be one of four accounts of the resurrection written by Matthew, Mark, Luke or John.

Church Booklet – St John’s Anglican Church Port Albert – Melva F. James, Yarram & District Historical Society 2011, page 20.

“Stained Glass Window – In the Chancel of the Church is a magnificent stained glass window, the principal subject of which is the Saviour’s Resurrection.  The inscription on the bottom states “In Memory of Foster Griffith, died October 5th 1872.” Foster Griffiths was the infant son of Griffith Griffiths who was a prospector at Foster. On the death of his son at the age of six months, Griffiths obtained this window for the nearby town of Foster, but as there was no church in Foster, it was given to Rev. Betts, (who conducted services in the Foster Mechanic’s Hall), and was placed in the Port Albert Church when it was re-built after the fire.”

The window was restored in 1999 and a brass plaque to the left of the window reads:

“This window was restored in memory of Maud Robinson by the ladies guild and her family, in recognition of her service to this church”.

After the restoration of the windows, the memorial text at the bottom of the left lancet no longer has the first few words “In Memory of”, and instead, a duplication of the windows border colours were filled in its place which leads me to assume that this was not any kind of professional restoration but more like a local lead light enthusiast who merely filled the broken gap.

If Griffith had possibly commissioned Ferguson & Urie to create the window in 1873, but not installed until 1885, there would appear to be a 12+ year gap missing in the windows history. The design and grisaille pattern work employed in the window is typical of Ferguson & Urie’s early 1870’s work with the floriated cross. Other extant examples of the floriated cross in Ferguson & Urie windows can be seen at St Luke’s at Yea, St Barnabas at Balwyn, St John’s at Port Fairy, and St James at Drysdale.

Gippsland Times, Vic, Wednesday 29th July 1885. Page 3

“The opening of the new Church of England at Port Albert, which was built to replace the structure that was destroyed by fire in January, 1884, took place on Sunday last, when sermons were preached morning and evening by the Rev. C. P. Thomas, of Rosedale. The choir sang Jackson’s service and hymns appropriate to the occasion in a highly finished manner. There was a large congregation, filling the church both morning and evening to its utmost capacity. Next Sunday the Rev. Mr Groundwater will preach”.

Gippsland Times, Vic, Wednesday 16th January 1884, page 3.

EXTENSIVE FIRES
(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH)
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS)

“PORT ALBERT, Tuesday Evening.

The most destructive fire that has ever occurred in this district was burning from about ten o’clock until sundown yesterday. The fierce north wind commenced to blow early in the morning, and a small fire that sprung up early in the day in the vicinity of the Old Port, increased in power, and came rushing madly on towards Port Albert, sweeping over many miles of country. Mr George Hastings and Mr John Rossiter, of the Standard office, had narrow escapes of losing their houses, situated on the Alberton road, as the wind kept veering round at intervals. However, owing to the timely assistance of a number of residents who turned out, the only loss sustained there was that of a fence enclosing one of Mr Rossiter’s paddocks, the fire being prevented from reaching a stack of hay and house close at hand. From here the fire crossed a metal road, destroying a wooden culvert, and making towards the township. The bells of the English Church were rung as an alarm, but a spark caught the wooden blocks and then the shingle roof, and in less than half an hour the church was completely demolished. The harmonium and seats were saved. The police buildings at Palmerston also caught fire, but they were with great difficulty saved. The escape of the township and the residences in the vicinity of Palmerston is hard to be accounted for”.

South Australian Register, Adelaide, Tuesday 15th January 1884, page 5.

“A destructive bush fire is now raging in the neighbourhood of Port Albert, South Gippsland. The English Church, a wooden building, was seized by the flames and burned to the ground in spite of the great exertions made to save it by the inhabitants.”

The Maffra Spectator, Vic, Thursday 7th February 1884, page 3.

“A special collection will be made at St. John’s, on Sunday evening, to assist in the rebuilding of the church burnt at Port Albert.”

Gippsland Times, Vic, Friday 13th February 1885, page 3.

“The tender of Mr. J. Avery, jun, has been accepted for the erection of the new church of England at Port Albert, the price being £262”.

Gippsland Times, Vic, Friday 29th February 1884, page 3.

“It will be very gratifying to our readers (says the Standard) to learn that the Rev Canon Chase, incumbent of St John’s Church, Melbourne, (acting of course in conjunction with the committee) has paid a very graceful compliment to the Rev. H. A. Betts, who formerly filled the office of curate at St. John’s. Since the destruction of the Port Albert Church by fire Mr Betts has exerted himself in various ways to aid the building fund, and he wrote to some old friends who attended St. John’s Church in Latrobe street during his curacy, asking them for a little private help. But this request appears to have been the signal for combined action, and on Sunday evening last, at a full choral service and harvest thanks-giving, a special collection was made “in aid of the building fund of the rev. H. A. Betts Church at Port Albert,” and the sum of £12 2s was the result. This agreeable surprise comes to us all the more acceptably on account of it’s warm-hearted and spontaneous mode of inception and consummation, and a word of commendation is due to the rev. Canon Chase and his committee (as also to the congregation as a whole) for this proof of good fellowship and kind remembrance towards their late curate, in the practical step they have taken to help a small congregation in the country to erect a building to take the place of that which was reduced to ashes by a bush fire on the 14th ultimo.”

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Jun 14 2012

08-12-1867: St Peter’s Anglican Church, Merino, Victoria.

The opening of St Peter’s Church at Merino was supposed to occur on Sunday the 8th of December 1867[1] but was postponed due to unforseen circumstances. The service was re-scheduled for Sunday the 22nd [2] just before Christmas and the Rev. Dr. Russell officiated. No mention was made of any stained glass window in any articles found to date but the three light east window facing the township was made by Ferguson & Urie of North Melbourne sometime after the Rev Russell’s death in 1876.  St Peter’s is no longer a consecrated church and as at 2011 was undergoing renovation and conversion to a private house.

The triple light window faces the township and the centre light has figurative and geometric designs of stained glass which is flanked by two shorter lancets of plain diamond quarries and red and yellow stained glass borders.

At the top of the central window is the holy spirit depicted by the Dove. Below that is Christ carrying the lamp in the well known depiction of Holman Hunt’s “Light of the world”. Further down is Christ depicted as the “Good Shepherd” carrying  a Lamb and the Crook and surrounded by a flock of sheep. Geometric quatrefoil  designs separate each figurative picture and the very bottom of the window bears gold text on a black background with the memorial text:

“AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE OF THE REV F. T. CUSACK RUSSELL D.C.L WHO DIED AT SEA FEB 7th 1876 AGED 53 YEARS”

The nave of St Peter’s also has a number of other single lancet windows by Ferguson & Urie of plain diamond quarries and coloured borders. Unfortunately all the windows are in extremely poor condition and are in desperate need of restoration.

Photos taken 9th January 2011.

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Portland Guardian, Vic, Thursday 2nd January 1868, page 2.

“… St PETER’S CHURCH – The opening of this church on the Sunday before Christmas, will form a memorable ere in the history of our town. On this occasion we had influential visitors from all the surrounding towns of Casterton, Coleraine and Digby. The concourse of carriages was immense. At 11 a.m., the hour for divine service, the interior of he church was crowded many unable to find seats. F. Henty, Esq., Merino Downs furnished a harmonium for the occasion, and this in connexion with the singing added considerably to the impressiveness of the services. The Rev. Dr. Russell preached from the text:- “Except the Lord build the house, &c.,” an excellent sermon after which a collection amounting to £24 was made in aide of the building fund.”

Related posts:

1877: Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Coleraine, Victoria.
1864: St John’s Anglican Church, Digby, Victoria.

External links:

Biography: Francis Thomas Cusack Russell (1823-1876)

Parsonage on the Wannon: Rev. Dr. Francis Thomas Cusack RUSSELL 1823-1876

Jun 13 2012

14-12-1866: St Luke’s Anglican Church, Yea, Victoria.

“Oh, Lord, I am shot”

Sometimes Stained Glass windows commemorate a life taken in tragic circumstances.

On the 14th of December 1866, a thirteen year old boy named Edmund George Taylor accidentally shot and killed himself  on the road to Yea in north east Victoria.

“…He was on the dray with a gun in his hand, when by some means or other it went off, and he contents were lodged in his chest, causing almost instantaneous death. His companions did not observe the gun go off, but only heard the report, and saw the deceased fall off the dray. He exclaimed, “Oh, Lord, I am shot,” and never spoke afterwards…”

It can only be assumed that his father, George Henry Taylor, a solicitor from Upper Hawthorn near Melbourne, had commissioned Ferguson & Urie to create the memorial stained glass window to his son. The window was erected in St Luke’s Anglican Church in Yea in North east Victoria. Whether the Yea Church was considered symbolic as the place to erect the window is not known, but it’s the destination his son never reached.

The date the window was actually created and erected in St Luke’s is not known. The Anglican Church of St Luke at Yea wasn’t constructed until 1869 and so it’s likely that the window was one of the first to be erected in the church and is also the window you see immediately on entering the church.

The central symbol in the window is an intricately designed blue cross on a rich ruby red background with floral and vine leaf designs in various colours. The cross is surrounded by the verse from Ecclesiastes 12:7.
“THE DUST SHALL RETURN TO THE EARTH AS IT WAS AND BE SPIRIT UP TO GOD WHO GAVE IT”.

The memorial text at the bottom of the window reads:
“IN MEMORIAM – EDMUND GEORGE TAYLOR – DIED DECEMBER 14th 1866”.

Photos taken 26th December 2011.

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The Age, Melbourne, Vic, Tuesday 18th December 1866, page 5.

“A boy, named Edmund George Taylor, aged thirteen years, the son of Mr. Taylor, solicitor, living at Boroondarra, was accidently killed last Friday. It appears that, together with his brother, he was in company with a man named John McCessey, who was taking a bullock dray to Yea. He was on the dray with a gun in his hand, when by some means or other it went off, and he contents were lodged in his chest, causing almost instantaneous death. His companions did not observe the gun go off, but only heard the report, and saw the deceased fall off the dray. He exclaimed, “Oh, Lord, I am shot,” and never spoke afterwards. An inquest was held upon the body on Sunday, by Mr Candler, when Mr Bragge, Surgeon, deposed that he made a post mortem examination of the body, and found a most extensive gun-shot wound in the stomach and chest, the third, fourth, and fifth ribs being shattered, and the right lung broken up, and in the apex witness found a mass of wadding and shot. There were some detached shots by the side of the spine. The direction of the wound was upwards and inwards. The firearm causing it must have been quite close to the person of the deceased. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.”

The Argus, Melbourne, Wednesday 19th December 1866, page 5.

“The name of the unfortunate lad who was lately accidentally shot while traveling in a dray in the neighbourhood of Boroondara, should have been Edmund George Taylor, and not Charles Frederick Taylor. The latter – the brother of the deceased – was present, and unfortunately, a witness of the accident”.

The Argus, Melbourne, Tuesday 18th December 1866, page 5.

“On Thursday last an accident, which terminated fatally, occurred to a lad thirteen years of age, named Charles Frederick Taylor, the son of Mr. Taylor, solicitor, of Boroondara. It appears that between eight and nine o’clock on the morning of the day named the deceased was seated in a dray with a gun in his hand, when the piece suddenly went off, and the boy immediately afterwards cried out, “My God! I’m shot.” No one knows exactly how the accident occurred; but as the deceased was attempting at the time to get off the dray, with the gun in his hand, it is probably that the lock struck against something. There was a large wound in the chest where the charge had entered. Mr. Chandler held an inquest on the body yesterday, when the jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”.

The Argus, Melbourne, Monday 17th December 1866, page 4.

“TAYLOR.- On the 14th inst., on the road to Yea, accidentally killed when carrying a loaded gun, Edmund George, the fifth son of George Henry, and Maria Taylor, of Upper Hawthorn, aged fourteen years.

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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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Jun 5 2012

23-07-1883: St James’s Old Cathedral, Melbourne.

The foundation stone of St Jame’s was originally laid in 1839 by the newly appointed Superintendent of the Port Phillip District, Charles La Trobe, later to be Governor of the Colony of Victoria. The Church was opened in 1842 and the first Bishop, Charles Perry, installed in 1848.

In 1883 the church underwent extensive renovations and one of the alterations was the replacement of the plain chancel window with a “handsome stained glass window, enriched with scripture texts” which was made by Ferguson & Urie of North Melbourne.

In 1891 St James’s status changed back to that of a Parish church when St Paul’s Cathedral opened in Swanston Street. When the church was condemned in 1913 there were concerns that the parish could not afford the repairs or rebuilding of St James’s on the current site. Considerable funds were subsequently realised for the sale of the land which enabled the church to be dismantled and moved to a new location. Whelan the Wrecker was contracted to perform the move in 1913 and so it was relocated stone by stone to its present site on the corner of King and Batman streets under the direction of Messrs Thomas Watts and Son, architects. The church was re-consecrated by Archbishop Lowther Clark, and opened on the19th of April 1914.

A close inspection of the stained glass window in the chancel clearly shows that it had been shortened from its original height and this would have most likely occurred as a result of the ceiling height being reduced when the church was reconstructed in 1914.

Photos taken 21st August 2010.

 

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The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Monday 23rd July 1883, page 5.

“St. James’s Church, which has recently undergone extensive repairs, was re-opened yesterday morning by the Bishop of Melbourne, assisted by the Dean. There was a very large congregation. The bishop preached the sermon. One of the alterations is the substitution of a handsome stained glass window, enriched with scripture texts, for the plain coloured glass window that was formerly in the chancel. There is also a new altar cloth, in red velvet, beautifully decorated by some young ladies of the congregation, and the drapery of the reading-desk and pulpit is likewise new and of the same material. The bishop’s throne has been re-covered and the chancel has been re-carpeted, and the whole interior of the church has been brightened up. In the renovations the organ has not been neglected. A tablet in memory of the late Rev. M. H. Becher, who was incumbent of the church for 22 years, has been affixed tot he walls by parishioners. A very interesting relic in this church is the marble font which was formerly in St. Catherine’s Church, London, but was secured by the late Governor Latrobe when that church was pulled down in order to make room for docks, and presented to St. James’s. The age of the vessel is not known, but it has been in use in St. James’s for 35 years.”

The Argus, Melbourne, Wednesday 21st May 1913, page 12.

“ST. JAMES’S OLD CATHEDRAL”

“POSSIBLE DEMOLITION”

Those citizens of Melbourne who are interested in the historic landmarks of the city in the shape of old buildings, will regret to hear that St James’s Old Cathedral, situated between William and King streets, in Little Collins street, Melbourne, is marked for destruction. The information was made public by the incumbent of St James’s, the Ven. Archdeacon Hindley, vicar-general of the diocese, during the course of his sermon on Sunday. The Archdeacon stated that the building had been condemned as unsafe, and that the conduct of services therein would have to be discontinued. It appears that recent rains had left pronounced damp stains on the walls of the chancel, and the trouble became so aggravated that an expert architect’s advice was sought. A close inspection of the building disclosed the fact that the chancel was in imminent danger of collapse. The chancel arch was discovered to be not an arch at all, but a lath and plaster screen covering the stone wall, and resting for support upon an Oregon pine girder. This girder in turn was found to rest upon a layer of mortar, which is crumbling away. The girder itself is badly affected with dry rot, and the whole position was found to be so unsatisfactory that the church wardens decided to suspend worship in the church rather than run any risk of accident. The foundation stone of St James’s Church was laid on November 9, 1839, by Governor C. J. Latrobe, and the church at one time filled a very prominent place in the religious life of the city. However, the residential population which might provide a congregation for St James’s has long since ebbed far out from its area. The question of the reconstruction or demolition of St. James’s church is one for the council of the diocese to settle, and that body will probably consider the matter at its next meeting on June 7. It is certain that the present casual congregation could not raise the funds necessary either for the repair or rebuilding of the church. When speaking on the subject yesterday afternoon, the chancellor of the diocese, Mr. McLennan, said that for a long time past a great city mission, under the aegis of the Anglican Church had been talked of, and this projected movement might influence the determinations with regards to St. James’s. He did not speak officially, but his own views were that the St. James’s site might be found of great value in relation to such a scheme, while the church, as a place of worship, was admittedly very near the Cathedral for rebuilding. In any case, great interest attaches to the fate of the historic edifice”.

 Annear, Robyn. 2005: A City Lost & Found: Whelan the Wreckers Melbourne; Black Inc Publisher, Melbourne, pages 21-22.

 “It was Jim Whelan’s task to dismantle the church and cart it in pieces to the new site, less than a mile away. The solid stones of the outer wall were kept – each one carefully numbered for re-erection – but the inner walls, of compacted shells and rubble, were replaced on the new site with reinforced concrete. Changes were made, too, in the old cathedral’s design. The ceiling was lowered, supporting columns omitted, and the tower altered once more, this time to improve the peal of the bells – it was a long time since it had been safe to ring them.

One stone that didn’t make it to the new site was the foundation stone of the old St James’. Charles La Trobe, newly landed Superintendent of the Port Phillip District, had laid the stone in 1839. There being no monumental mason in the town at that time, the foundation stone had gone unmarked. The words that ought to have been inscribed theron were read aloud by La Trobe from a parchment which, along with a few coins, was poked into a bottle and thence into a niche in the foundation stone. Seventy-five years later, neither bottle nor foundation stone came to light. It was supposed that, being unmarked, the stone had simply escaped notice in the course of relocation and its contents lost – or else, that both had been missing since 1850 when the original foundations were replaced. In 1929, however, the then-minister of St James’s claimed to have discovered the truth of the matter.

‘I found that the carter who transferred the material to the new site was responsible for destroying the foundation stone. He accidentally broke it and then threw the parts on the rubbish heap and gave the contents to his friends, keeping the most valuable himself’.

Had the carter unburdened himself, I wonder, or been unburdened on?. Aside from his fee, Jim Whelan didn’t carry much away from the St James’ job. The only lasting trace would be an in-house joke, that ran like this – One of Whelan’s men wrote to his folks in Ireland: “Australia’s a great country. Back home we wreck Protestant churches for nothing; here, they pay you to do it.” Years later, an alleged relic would occupy pride of place at Whelan the Wrecker headquarters. It was a wrecker’s bar with the inscription: “Used for wrecking Protestant churches.”

Related posts:

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

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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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