Tag Archives: 1863

May 9 2013

1863: St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Collingwood, Victoria.

In late 1867 James Urie, of the Melbourne stained glass firm Ferguson & Urie, toured Tasmania with a catalogue of the firms designs for stained glass. On the 13th August 1867, the Hobart Mercury reported a detailed account of commissions he had received for stained glass windows and mentioned some that the firm had already executed in Victoria. Amongst those listed was “…St Josephs Roman Catholic Church, Collingwood…”[1]

The foundation stone of St Joseph’s Church & School was laid on 16 December 1860[2] and formally opened on Sunday the 1st of February 1863[3]

The Victorian Heritage Database indicates that St Joseph’s contained stained glass windows by Ferguson & Urie, Rogers & Hughes, and William Montgomery[4].

At about 6am on the  2nd of April  2007, fire broke out and destroyed the majority of St Joseph’s leaving just the shell [5].  None of the historic stained glass windows survived.

Early photos taken in the 1990’s and kindly contributed by Dr. Bronwyn Hughes, 01/06/2013.

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The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Monday 2nd February 1863, page 5.

“The Roman Catholic Church of St. Joseph, situated in Otter-street, East Collingwood, was formally dedicated for public worship yesterday morning, by the Roman Catholic bishop of the diocese, Dr. Goold. High pontifical mass was performed, the Rev. H. England acting as deacon, and the Rev. W. Donovan as sub-deacon. The discourse was delivered by the Rev. E. Scully. The church which is of neat brick erection, was opened for the first time yesterday. It was commenced about three years ago, but a great deal of work still remains to be done, both with regard to the internal and external fittings. The building has been erected with the view of being used as a school-house as well as church. It accommodates about 400 people, and its cost (about £1,000) has been already subscribed. A numerous congregation assembled upon the occasion of the dedication, and many of the most influential Catholics of the neighbourhood were present. Imperial Mass, No. 8, was beautifully given by a choir, which included Mrs. Tester, Miss Julia Matthews, and Messrs. Power and Ewart.”

Related post:

13-08-1867: James Urie visits Tasmania on Ferguson and Urie business.

External links:

YouTube Video, St Joseph’s fire: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecIH37XquCM

Footnotes:

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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Apr 25 2012

13-06-1863: Thomas Robson, Ballarat agent for Ferguson & Urie.

The Star, Ballarat, Saturday 13th June 1863, page 1.

“CHEAP PAPERHANGINGS.
SELLING OFF WITHOUT RESERVE.
Robson’s London House, Sturt street.

A GENUINE CLEARING -OUT SALE.-Paper hangings from 4d per piece. Oils, Colors, &c, &c., equally cheap. Must be sold, to make extensive alterations prepatory to new and fresh arrivals.
Agent for Ferguson and Urie’s Stained Glass Cathedral windows.
N.B – It is particularly requested that all outstanding accounts be paid forthwith.”

The Star, Ballarat, Saturday 13th June 1863, page 1.

Feb 14 2012

23-10-1863: St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Evansdale, Tasmania, Australia.

The Mercury, Hobart, Friday 23rd October 1863, page 3.

“Two very handsome stained glass windows have recently been placed in the Evandale, Presbyterian church, one on either side of the pulpit. They cost £125 and are a great ornament to the interior of the building.”

The two windows mentioned here are certainly to be by Ferguson & Urie but not yet officially attributed. Images exist in some copyright publications by Professor Miles Lewis.

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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Feb 14 2012

07-08-1863: The Mechanic’s Institute Hall, Ballarat, Victoria.

The Star, Ballarat, Friday 7th August 1863, page 3.

“THE MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE. RE OPENING OF THE HALL”

 “… among other things, exhibits samples of the glass patented by Hartley and Co., of Sunderland, and known as “Cathedral Glass,” some of which is now being used in St. Patrick’s church, Sturt street. Mr Robson also exhibits specimens, and very beautiful ones too, of Ferguson’s and Urie’s stained glass …”

Thomas Robson was the Ballarat agent for Ferguson & Urie stained glass and had significant involvement with the window created for St Paul’s at Bakery Hill Ballarat in early 1862.

Related posts: 29-03-1862 > 14-04-1862 > 19-05-1862 > 04-06-1862 > 24-06-1862 > 15-07-1862 > 01-03-1863 > 07-08-1863

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Feb 13 2012

07-07-1863: The Ebenezer St John’s Church Armstrong Street Ballarat.

The Star Ballarat, Tuesday 7th July 1863, page 2.

“Messrs Urie and Ferguson, of Melbourne, have just completed two stained glass windows at the west end of the newly erected United Presbyterian Church in Armstrong street. These lights are very handsome, and were designed by Messrs Urie and Ferguson, the pattern exhibiting the trefoil with circles and diamonds, scrolls and foliage making up the margins. The coloring is rich but mellow, and the windows are certainly a great ornament to the church. We believe there is some intention of having colored glass put in the triplet of the large east window. The western lights we have mentioned have been supplied for £80”.

Photos taken 6th November 2011.

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The “Ebenezer” United Presbyterian Church in Armstrong street was opened on the 23rd June 1863 [1] It was designed in the Anglo-Norman style by local architect Henry Richards Caselli (c1816-1885). The two stained glass windows by Ferguson & Urie were provided by the ladies of the congregation with the initial suggestion coming from Georgiana Caselli who also provided £5 as a subscription towards the windows[2].

The church is now known as the “Ebenezer St John’s” church, at 212 Armstrong street. The stained glass for the triplet window mentioned never eventuated.

Footnotes:

Feb 13 2012

25-05-1863: Post Office buildings, Bourke Street, Melbourne.

The Argus, Melbourne, 25th May 1863, page 4.

“The large transparency exhibited on the rejoicings day, at the New Post-office-buildings, by the contractors, Messrs. T. Glaster and Co., was lit up again on Saturday evening. This transparency was not noticed in our columns on Wednesday, and we may, therefore, now mention that it is constructed of glass, and measures twelve feet by seven. In the centre are full-length portraits of the Prince and Princess, and at the base are the Royal arms. The figures are surrounded by an elaborate border of flowers, and surmounted with the Prince of Wales’s feather, and two flying cupids, bearing the motto, “Ich Dien”. The transparency is the work of Messrs. Ferguson and Urie, glass stainers, North Melbourne. At the Protestant Hall, transparencies were exhibited in which the arms of England and Denmark appeared, together with loyal mottoes. At Mr. R. D. Harte’s, Queen-street, there was an illumination with variegated lamps in oil, displaying the Prince and Princess of Wales and a loyal motto”.

The post office was completed in 1867 and gutted by fire 12th September 2001. Nothing further known about the window.

Historical images of the Melbourne Post Office, Bourke street, c.1890, from State Library Collections, others from my recent expeditions to the city.

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Feb 12 2012

03-04-1863: Holy Trinity Church, Kew, Melbourne, Victoria.

Only five extant windows by the historic Ferguson & Urie stained glass company of North Melbourne have the company name on them. This one at Holy Trinity Church at Kew was installed in the chancel in 1863 but later extensions to the church saw the window relegated to the liturgical north transept where it still is today. The signature mark can’t be seen with the naked eye unless you have a scissor lift or a very tall ladder, which is not advisable. Image-stabilized binoculars will work, but the best bet is a good-quality digital camera with a decent zoom lens and viewing the images on a good-quality computer screen.

The South Bourke Standard, Friday 3rd April 1863, page 2

 “Messrs. Ferguson and Urie, glass stainers, North Melbourne, have just completed the stained glass windows for the chancel of Trinity Church, Kew. The centre light contains an elaborately executed emblem of the Trinity, in which the three primary colours only are used. In the top of the same light is the word “Jehova” inscribed in Hebrew characters. The principal medallion in the dexter light has the “Agnus dei” – that sinister light the “Dove”, each surmounted by an appropriate monogram. The ground work is of cathedral tints, enriched with early English ornament, all the details of which is emblematic of the Trinity. – Herald”

Photos were taken 2nd January 2011.

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

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