Tag Archives: 1878

Jun 6 2013

1878: St John’s Aboriginal Mission Church, Lake Tyers, Victoria.

St John’s Anglican Church at the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Mission was built in 1878 to the designs of architects Terry and Oakden and formally opened on Sunday 26th October 1878[1].

Photo of the chancel window was taken 17th Dec 2012 and kindly contributed by Bruce Hutton of Almond Glass, Oakleigh.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The first minister of the Aboriginal Mission at Lake Tyers was John Bulmer (1833-1913). Bulmer arrived in Australia aboard the ‘Emigrant’ on the 12th Jan 1853 with his employer John Eggars and his family (Eggars died on the voyage)[2] For the first three years in the colony Bulmer worked as a carpenter to repay his passage and assist the Eggars family to return to England.

In 1855, having witnessed the maltreatment of the Aborigines, Bulmer offered himself for the Church of England Aboriginal mission being planned for Yelta near the Murray River. He was accepted by the Church, despite his Methodist background, and in 1858, with the assistance of the Rev Friedrich Hagenauer, was invited to open a mission in the South Gippsland region and in 1862 he and his second wife Caroline began the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Mission[3].

Eighteen years later Bulmer sought to have a suitable house of god on the mission estate and in 1878 a wooden church was “erected by the blacks under the able superintendence of Mr Bulmer”[4]

In the presence of the Rev. Canon Stuart Lloyd Chase, who was the donor of the stained glass windows, the church was formally opened on the 26th October 1878.

Amongst the description of the building and its furnishings was the mention of the stained glass windows:-

“…painted glass in the three light window of chancel (presents by the Rev. Cannon Chase), as well as that of all other windows, were sent up from Melbourne…”

The three light chancel window is identified as the work of the Ferguson & Urie stained glass company of Curzon Street, North Melbourne. It has the typical Ferguson & Urie stained glass border design of alternating red and blue, but in this window it has a small depiction of a majestic crown separating each colour instead of the usual yellow or white flower.  In the left light is the Greek symbol of Alpha (the beginning) and in the right light the symbol of Omega (the end). The diamond in-fill quarries in each light are of a repeat depiction of the passion flower in grey, gold and pink. The centre light comprises a scrolling ribbon on a crimson background with biblical text:

“THE GOOD SHEPHERD GIVETH HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP”
(John 10-11, – King James Bible).

The three light chancel window has recently undergone restoration and conservation by Bruce Hutton of Almond Glass, Oakleigh, Victoria, in 2012.

Gippsland Times, Vic, Friday 1st November 1878, page 3

“NEW CHURCH AT LAKE TYERS.

The ceremony of opening a new church in connection with the Church of England Missions to the natives at Lake Tyers’ Aboriginal Station was celebrated on Sunday with unusual éclat. On Saturday, the Tanjil conveyed to the Lakes Entrance a party of visitors, among whom were the Rev. Canon Chase, W. E. Morris, Esq., Deputy Registrar of the Diocese, and hon. Sec. of the Mission, H. Henty, Esq., and other gentlemen, who were joined at Sale by the Rev. Canon Watson, the Rev. Mr. Hagenauer, and other friends. Several ladies were of the party. Bairnsdale was reached in the afternoon, and the steamer then went on to the Entrance, the party walking to the station, where they found accommodation. On Sunday, after a preliminary service conducted by the Rev. Mr. Hagenauer in the school-room, the congregation assembled in the new church. The opening sermon was preached by the Rev. Canon Chase. During the afternoon a missionary meeting was held, Mr. Henty in the chair, at which addresses were delivered, service in the evening being conducted by the Rev. Mr. Hagenauer. On Monday the programme was diversified by a most enjoyable pic-nic. During the evening several aboriginals were baptized. On Tuesday, the Rev. Canon Watson delivered an address in the Church, and on Wednesday morning the party left in the Tanjil, reaching Sale in time for the afternoon train for Melbourne, all exceedingly delighted with the excursion, and loud in their praises of the Tanjil. The occasion was one of great delight among the 120 natives at the station, the arrangements of which were the theme of general commendation. The following is a description of the new building:-
The Mission Church has a nave 40 feet long by 20 feet wide and about 16 feet high from floor to roof, which has a Gothic pitch. The chancel is 12 feet by 10 feet deep. The tower is square, rising well above the Church roof, is terminated by a stunted spire, crowned by a gilt weathercock vane. The lower stage of the tower forms a spacious porch, with double doors at each side window in front; above the porch is a ringing chamber, and over it a belfry, with lowered lights. The structure is of hardwood, and erected by the blacks under the able superintendence of Mr Bulmer. It is covered with painted weatherboarding outside, and lined inside, including also the roof, with slightly stained and well-varnished boarding. The roofs of nave, chancel, and spire, are covered with galvanised corrugated iron. The doors, windows, painted glass in the three light window of chancel (presents by the Rev. Cannon Chase), as well as that of all other windows, were sent up from Melbourne. The chancel arch is the full width of the Church, and is to have illuminated text round it. The Church ceiling is of a neat pierced wood-work executed on the station; the pulpit was a present from Melbourne; the pews of good solid character of polished deal, made in Melbourne. The plan was furnished gratuitously by Messrs Terry and Oakden, architects, Melbourne.”

Gippsland Times, Vic, Friday 12th March 1880, page 4

“…If the exterior of the Church pleased us, we were more than delighted with the interior. As the doors swung back, the glories of a large stained glass window, placed over the chancel, burst suddenly upon us…”

 ATNS – Agreements, Treaties and Negotiated Settlements Project   (Accessed 04/06/2013)

“The Lake Tyers Mission Station was established in 1861 by the Church of England Mission. In 1863, the Victorian Colonial Government set aside 2000 acres of land as the Lake Tyers Reserve. In the early 1900’s, residents from Ramahyuck moved to Lake Tyers as did those from Lake Condah and Coranderk after these stations were closed. By 1962 the State Government had announced plans to close Lake Tyers. In 1971, the Government returned the Lake Tyers Reserve, including 4000 acres, to the local Aboriginal community under the Aboriginal Lands Act 1970.”

“…In 1858, Bulmer married a young school teacher, Miss Stocks, and shortly afterwards was invited to open a mission in Gippsland. Mrs Bulmer died in Melbourne in 1861. Bulmer went to Gippsland where, with the help of local Aboriginal people, he chose a mission site on Lake Tyers. Returning to Melbourne Bulmer married Caroline Blay. Together they commenced the Lake Tyers Mission in 1862, with both church and government support…”

Traralgon Record, Vic, Tuesday 19th August 1913, page 2

“The Rev. John Bulmer, associated with the Lake Tyers Mission Station for over 50 years, died last Wednesday, in his 81st year.”

The Bairnsdale Advertiser, Friday 15th August 1913, page 3.

“BULMER.- The friends of the late Rev. John Bulmer are respectfully informed that his remains will be interred THIS (Friday) AFTERNOON. The funeral is appointed to leave St. Nicholas’s Church, Cuninghame, at 2 o’clock for the Cuninghame Cemetery. W.SHARROW, Funeral Director, Phone 27.”

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Wednesday 10th July 1918, page 1.

“BULMER.- On the 2nd July, at Lakes Entrance, Caroline, widow of the late Rev. John Bulmer, formerly of the Lake Tyers Mission Station, in her 80th year.”

After John Bulmer’s death in 1913 the Victorian Board for the Protection of Aborigines sought to have his wife Caroline and his daughter Ethel evicted from the Lake Tyers station. With the support of the Aboriginals, she petitioned the board to be allowed to stay on the station but after numerous failed attempts, she and her daughter were forced to leave[5]. Caroline Bulmer died five years later at Cunninghame near Lakes Entrance aged 80.

Footnotes:

[1] Gippsland Times, Vic, Friday 1st November 1878, page 3

[2] ‘Aboriginal Mission Stations in Victoria’, Aldo Massola, Hawthorn Press, 1970

[5] The Journal of the Public Records Office Victoria, September 2008, Number 7

Acknowledgements:

Many thanks to Bruce Hutton of Almond Glass for the correspondence, his contribution to the preservation of the historical stained glass, and for contributing the photo of the chancel window.

Short link to this page: https://wp.me/p28nLD-1Wa

© Copyright

Feb 13 2013

1988: Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria.

In 1878 the controversial and flamboyant Dr James George Beaney donated a stained glass window to the Melbourne Hospital in Swanston Street. The window was created by Ferguson & Urie and now resides in modern surroundings that would now be unfamiliar to its historical past, but still befitting to its history in medicine.

I’ve written a previous post on the Beaney window before with detailed information about the life and times of the controversial so called ‘Quack’ doctor Beaney. On the 18th of May 2012 Ms Laurel Clark found the current location of the historic Ferguson & Urie ‘Beaney’ stained glass window in the Chapel of the Monash Medical Centre at Clayton and graciously sent me photos. I visited the Monash on the 10th June 2012 to see the window personally and found that there were another three historical Ferguson & Urie window that have been placed in unusual settings. In this post I’ve included more detailed photos of the Beaney window, and the other two Ferguson & Urie windows located in the chapel (artificially illuminated) and also the ‘Good Samaritan’ window, now strangely incorporated within an unsympathetic  modern setting in the food court.

Photos taken 10th June 2012 and 17th August 2013.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

[View larger images]

As I mentioned in the original article about the Beaney window, the glass has unfortunately been re-installed back-to-front in its frame with the exception of the small text panel at the base of the window, which is an extremely bizarre outcome from a restoration/conservation aspect. Until this is rectified we may never know the true intended colouring of this 135 year old window and how it was originally intended to be seen by the viewer.

The other three stained glass windows found at the Monash are equally important to the Ferguson & Urie stained glass history. Two predominantly yellow/gold coloured windows are artificially lighted just inside the chapel door and described as follows:

The left window in the chapel has a scrolling ribbon wrapped around a golden cross made up of small golden stylised depictions of the passion flower and has the text “The Lord Shall deliver him in the time of trouble”. The right window has the text:  “Blessed is the man that provideth for the sick and needy”, written in a ribbon that entwines a depiction of a ships anchor (well known as the religious symbol of “Hope”) and has a background of oak leaves and acorns.

The last window is outside the chapel and located in the fast food court and depicts the ‘Good Samaritan’. The text at the top of the window reads; “In as much as he did to one of the least of these we did it unto me”, and at the base; “Who is my neighbour”. This poor old historic window has now been fitted above a modern exit doorway in the Medical Centre’s food court and looks completely out of place. Its surroundings now look more akin to having been installed above the entrance to a MacDonald’s fast food outlet.

The last set of photos are of the memorial monument to James George Beaney located at the Melbourne General Cemetery and it still stands as testament to his ego. My photos of his monument were taken on the 9th December 2012 and it is quite an imposing landmark in the cemetery.

 Short link to this page: https://wp.me/p28nLD-1BO

© Copyright

Feb 3 2013

1878: St Mark’s Anglican Church, Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand.

The first historical stained glass windows to be erected in St. Marks were created by the Colonial Stained Glass firm from Victoria, Ferguson & Urie, of North Melbourne. The triple light window depicted “St. Mark and the lion” and was erected as the principal east window in the chancel circa 1878. Another two Ferguson & Urie windows, depicting ‘Hope’ and ‘Faith’ were erected in the north and south sides of the chancel in 1879.

The 1982 St Mark’s Church History book by Hilary Reid [1] recorded the following information:

“The church was embellished and beautified as well as enlarged for, in 1878 too, a lovely stained glass window was donated anonymously for the east window. It was later revealed that Mr. J.C. Seccombe, the brewer of Newmarket was the donor. In April, 1879, Mr Edwin Hesketh wrote to the vestry offering from his mother and brothers and himself two small stained glass memorial windows for the chancel.”

Photos taken: 22nd January 2013.
(Photos by Janice Ball, nee Auld, Great Great Granddaughter of James Ferguson of the Ferguson & Urie Stained Glass Company. Photo of original chancel window in 1902 is reproduced from St Mark’s Church history book, page 39, with permission of Hillary F.  Reid, M.A. 5th Feb 2013, others from Auckland Library ‘Sir George Grey Special Collections’).

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

(Note: Some elements of the Hesketh windows are not original Ferguson & Urie work. It’s my opinion that the head of the figure depicting ‘Hope’ and the head of the Angel at the foot of ‘Faith’ are complete replacements from early restoration or conservation work.)

In 1878, after alterations to St Mark’s were completed, a description of the chancel window depicting “St Mark and the Lion” was reported in the papers as being made by Ferguson and Urie of Melbourne for £150[2]. The article indicated that the window was “the gift of a member of the congregation” who was later revealed to have been Mr John Carroll Seccombe, the owner of the Great Northern Brewery. The chancel window lighted St Mark’s for nearly 60 years before it was destroyed by a suspicious fire which started at midnight on the 4th of April 1935[3]. Two other smaller windows donated by the Hesketh family survived the fire.

John Carroll Seccombe (c.1834-1892):

The donor of the original chancel window was John Carroll Seccombe. His father, Richard, began small scale brewing operations in New Plymouth in 1846 and later migrated north to Auckland and circa 1856 took over the Albert Brewery[4], which was founded circa 1847 by George Partington[5]. In December 1860 Richard Seccombe began construction on the Great Northern Brewery on Khyber Pass Road in Auckland and commenced brewing operations on the 24th May 1861[6]. The company used the rampant lion symbol from the family crest as its logo and it later came to be known as “The Lion” brewery. After Richard Seccombe retired the business was continued at the helm of his second son John Carroll Seccombe. On the 16th of February 1892 J. C. Seccombe died at the Lake Takapuna Hotel after an extended illness, aged 58. At the time of his death there were an estimated thirteen hotels within the Seccombe brewing empire. His funeral was held at St Mark’s Anglican Church in Remuera on the afternoon of the 17th and the cortege comprised an estimated 30 carriages plus foot mourners and a considerable number his brethren from the Remuera Masonic Lodge. The prominent Auckland Solicitor Edwin Hesketh played the “Dead March in Saul” on the organ at the close of the service[7].

The Great Northern Brewery brewery continued for a number of years with his wife Isabella Harriet Seccombe (c.1836-1902) & Alfred Seccombe as directors[8] and circa 1914, ‘Campbell and Ehrenfried’ took over the business. Successive mergers occurred with other brewing companies in the following years and eventually morphed into the company known as “Lion Nathan Ltd” which formed in 1988 and expanded to become one of the largest wine and spirit merchants in Australasia.

The Hesketh Windows:

Two smaller single light windows in the chancel were donated by the Hesketh family in 1879 and were also made by Ferguson & Urie of North Melbourne. These windows miraculously escaped serious damage during the fire in 1935.

The stained glass window on the north side of the chancel depicts “Hope” and has an angel holding a ribbon below with the text “I am the resurrection and the life”. A brass plaque below it states that it was erected by the widow of Emanuel Hesketh (Caroline nee Nelson[9]). Emanuel was an early schoolmaster in Auckland[10], who died aged 51 years[11] on the 28th May 1864 [12].

The window on the south side of the chancel depicts “Faith”. An angel below is holding a ribbon with the text “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord”. A brass plaque below the window states that it is in memory of Frederick Hesketh who died aged 27 on the 23rd February 1872[13] and was erected by his brothers. The figurative depiction of “Faith” is from a cartoon used by Ferguson & Urie in other windows by the firm at Christ Church Hawthorn in Melbourne and All Saints Church in South Hobart. The original cartoon is based on a series of original paintings by Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-92) that depict “Faith, Hope & Charity”.

Emanuel Hesketh, his wife Caroline, and sons William, Charles, Edwin and Frederick were natives of Manchester in England and arrived in Auckland aboard the “Caduceus” from London on the 19th May 1859 [14].  The youngest son, Samuel, remained in England with an uncle and arrived later in 1863[15]. The head of the family, Emanuel, was a well educated man having been a school teacher and was later appointed a schoolmaster in Auckland[16]. The Hesketh boys benefited greatly from their fathers experience as an educator and were also keen sportsmen who were selected as members of Auckland’s “Newmarket Eleven” Cricket team[17] as early as c.1863 and were instrumental in the formation of the Auckland Suburban Rugby Club in 1891[18].

Emanuel Hesketh ( c.1813 -1864):

The patriarch of the family was Emanuel Hesketh who was born in Manchester circa 1813 and married Caroline Nelson in Manchester in 1837. Emanuel was a teacher and later a school master in Auckland. Emanuel died at Remuera on the 28th of May 1864[19] aged 51. In later years his wife Caroline resided at her son Edwin’s substantial home “St John’s Wood” (also known as Hesketh House) at Epsom in Auckland, which later became part of the Auckland Diocesan Girls High School circa 1903. Caroline died on the 25th of May 1886[20] aged 73.

Edwin Hesketh ( c.1843 – 1898):

Edwin Hesketh became a prominent barrister in the Auckland area. He was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand in October 1865[21]. He married Jane Parnell on the 27th December 1867 at St Mark’s Remuera[22] and in early 1870 entered into partnership as solicitors “Hesketh & Richmond” [23]. In February 1878 he was appointed as secretary of the Auckland Solicitors’ Society[24] and in March of the same year was nominated as Governor of the Grammar School by members of the Board of Education and General Assembly[25]. Edwin, like his parents and siblings, was a staunch supporter and liberal donor of St Marks Anglican Church in Remuera as well as being Vestryman, Synodsman, Chancellor of the Diocese, and Church Organist. He was an accomplished musician who also donated the first organ to St Mark’s Church in 1872-73[26] and befittingly was the first to officially play it at the re-opening of the church in May 1873[27]. He remained the church organist, and sometimes the choirmaster, for many years even though increasing deafness reduced his enjoyment of music. In 1881 Edwin was nominated as a candidate for the Eden district[28], but declined to enter politics in favour of his profession[29].  Outside of professional life he was a keen bird breeder and Vice President of the Auckland Chrysanthemum Society[30]. Edwin Hesketh died aged 55 on the 23rd of July 1898[31]. His peers in the legal profession held him in such high esteem that the sitting Judge (Conolly) of the Supreme Court adjourned all sittings until 10 am the following day[32]. His funeral was one of the largest ever seen in Remeuera. The original organ that Edwin had donated in 1872-73, was destroyed in the 1935 fire. The ‘Faith’ and ‘Hope’ stained glass windows dedicated to his father Emanuel, and Brother Frederick survived.

Frederick Hesketh (c.1845-1872):

Frederick Hesketh is commemorated in St Mark’s by a Ferguson & Urie stained glass window depicting “Faith”. While working as a chainman with O’Meara’s survey party near Rivershead he left early on the morning of the 23rd of February to wash a shirt in a nearby waterhole. His fatal mistake was not taking a friend with him to the waterhole as he subsequently fell in and drowned after suffering a seizure. His friends, having found him face down in the waterhole some considerable time later, attempted to revive him by archaic methods that would not have saved him even if they had found him earlier:

“…Ryan and I then went to the body, took his boots and socks off, and rubbed his feet, body, and hands for an hour. We observed no marks on the body. Ryan also cut his wrist with a razor, to try and draw blood. No blood flowed from the wound at the time. We then became satisfied that he was dead…” [33]

The jury at the inquest returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”. A brass plaque at the foot of the stained glass window in St Marks indicates that it was erected in his memory by his brothers.

Charles Hesketh (c.1842-1930):

Charles Hesketh began his early career as a farmers hand and later joined the firm of auctioneer Alfred Buckland where he remained for over 20 years and on Buckland’s retirement, brought the business and entered into partnership with Alexander Aitken as Hesketh & Aitken in the grain and produce business[34]. He saw active service during the first Taranaki war and the Waikato war, and was a recipient of the New Zealand Medal[35]. He was a keen Cricketer and Hon Secretary of the Newmarket Cricket Club[36]. He had an instrumental part in the raising of the Parnell Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1866[37], and was a past master of the Remuera Freemason Lodge, member of the Auckland Council Licensing Bench, and a Councillor from 1893 to 1900 and served on the Remuera Highway Board and school committee. Charles Hesketh was an active supporter and liberal donor of St Mark’s Church. He died at Tauranga on the 13th February 1930, aged 88[38].

Samuel Hesketh (c.1849 – 1939):

Samuel Hesketh remained in England with an uncle when the family emigrated in 1859 and arrived in Auckland on the 7th February 1863[39] at about the age of fourteen, he was later articled to his brother Edwin in the legal profession and after passing his exams in 1878 “In an extremely satisfactory manner”, was admitted as a barrister of the court[40]. He was a senior partner in the legal firm Hesketh, Richmond, Adams and Cocker and later Hesketh and Richmond and became the head of the company after his Brother Edwin’s death in 1898. He was a chairman of the Epsom Road Board, a member of the Manukau Water Supply Board, and a member of the Reform Party and a personal friend of the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Hon William Ferguson Massey[41]. For many years he was a member of the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Auckland and a liberal supporter of St Mark’s Church in Remuera.

Samuel Hesketh died on Sunday 8th January 1939, aged 89 and was buried on the 10th of January, “…The long cortege left the residence, “Fernacre.” 89, Gillies Avenue, Epsom, for St. Mark’s Church, Remuera, at 2 o’clock…”[42]

William Nelson Hesketh: (c.1838-c.1880):

William was the eldest son of Emanuel and Caroline. Nothing further is known of his life other than he had returned to England at some point.

Significant tabloid transcriptions:

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5152, 22 May 1878, page 3.

ST MARK’S CHURCH, REMUERA

“This church, situated as it is on the rise of the hill on the Remuera Road, has lately been undergoing extensive alterations, which have just now been completed. These alterations consist of an addition to the southern transept, the lighting of the church with gas, the removal of the pulpit, and substituting in lieu thereof a desk and lectern. The whole of the works have been executed with great taste and judgement, and reflect the greatest credit upon those who have carried out the same…”

“…On entering the nave by the main entrance of the church, the visitor is at once at once struck with astonishment at the pleasing and handsome view which is presented to the eye on looking at the east end of the church. The large gothic window in the chancel, some 15 feet by 10 feet, is of stained glass in three panels, representing the figure of St. Mark and the lion, burnt in the most soft and tasteful colours, the features, hands, and robes of the figure being exquisitely blended together, and shewing most prominently the various degrees and shades of light. The two side panels consist of rich and delicate work, executed in bright and cheerful colours, add greatly to the effect of the figure in the centre panel. The whole of the interior is surrounded by a handsome floral border, surmounted by the figure of an inverted dove. The effect of this magnificent window, which surpasses anything of the kind in Auckland, is very imposing, and fills the chancel with a halo specially appropriate to that portion of the church. We are informed that this window, which was made by Messrs. Urie and Ferguson, of Melbourne, at the cost of £150, is the gift of a member of the congregation, and who has also generously placed it in its present position…”

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 80, 4 April 1935, page 9.

“FIRE MYSTERY. ST. MARKS CHURCH…”

Fire completely destroyed an organ valued at between £3000 and £4000 and considerably damaged the chancel and sanctuary in St. Mark’s Church, Remuera, at midnight last night…”

“…Splendid work by the brigades resulted in a remarkable save. Most of the damage was confined to the organ, although valuable stained glass windows above the altar were damaged…”

Foot notes:

[1] St Mark’s Remuera 1847-1981: The Story of a Parish, Auckland, 1982. Hilary F. Reid, M.A.

[9] Caroline Hesketh died 1886 aged 73; NZ BDM 1886/2470.

[11] Emanuel Hesketh died 1864 aged 51; NZ BDM 1864/3402.

[42] Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 7, 10 January 1939, Page 9

Acknowledgements:

Thanks to Janice Ball for finding the original article about the chancel window in 1878 and then undertaking the 400km round trip to Auckland with Cleeve to see, and photograph, the remaining “Hope” & “Faith” windows by Ferguson & Urie, and also for sending me the copy of the St Mark’s Church history book – ( ‘St Mark’s Remuera 1847-1981: The Story of a Parish, Auckland, 1982; ‘Hilary F. Reid, M.A.’) and for her tenacity in following up the research clues from the New Zealand side of our small world.

Thanks to Hillary F. Reid, M.A. for permission to include a copy from page 39 of the St Mark’s history book (via Janice Ball, 5th Feb 2013), and the Auckland City Library (also via Janice, 11th Feb 2013) for the additional photos, from the ‘Sir George Grey Collections’, of the chancel of St Mark’s prior to the 1935 fire.

Short link to this page: http://wp.me/p28nLD-1zq

© Copyright

Dec 6 2012

12-07-1877: St Matthew’s Anglican Church, Prahran, Victoria.

St Matthew’s Anglican Church in High street Prahran was built to the designs of architects Terry & Oakden, the contractors were Purves and Rankine[1], and local Prahran Councillor William Harrison was the clerk of works. Building commenced in July 1877[2] and the foundation stone was laid by Bishop James Moorehouse on Saturday the 1st of September 1877[3]. It was formally opened by Bishop Moorehouse on the afternoon of Friday 28th June 1878[4].

Just over a century later, in May 1982, a fire destroyed the majority of the centre section of the Nave. Rather than rebuild to its original state, the burnt out centre section was converted to an open court yard. The front section, (liturgical west) facing the street, was reconstructed with mezzanine floors and converted to three levels of office accommodation. The rear of the church (east), comprising the original chancel, remains as the congregation’s portion of the church for worship. Each section, either side of the central court yard is separated by modern glass walls. Many of the stained glass windows in the centre of the nave were destroyed by the fire but some of the original Ferguson & Urie stained glass survived. The main main five light west window facing High street is extant, as well as most of the simple stained glass bordered windows in the west end, and the triple light William Harrison memorial window in the north wall near the chancel.

Other surviving stained glass windows in the church are by the artists/studios of, Christian Waller (the Penitence, Pardon, & Peace window).

The five light chancel window to the memory of “Arthur Granger Langmore” (c.1839-1886) , is an anomaly and I was almost convinced this was the work of Lyon & Cottier of Sydney, (John Lamb Lyon) being a former partner in Ferguson & Urie circa 1866-1873).

On the thirteenth of January 2018 my friend Dr. Brownwyn Hughes provided the definitive clue as to who had made the langmore memorial window;

“I was looking through the notes I made while at the Victoria & Albert Design Archive in London and found the following reference in a James Powell a cash book. My notes are brief, but I think, conclusive.

JP-W Cash book Sept 1886 20 June 1887 3341/383 p86. Langmour & Co, FG 13 Great St Helens EC London. St Matthew’s Church, Prahran Vic. Australia. E window 5 lights & tracery Painted graisaille & quarries alternately, with coloured border. 3 large medallions with texts. Inscription etc. 1- 8.1 x 1.9 = 14.1 76’6″” 75.0.0 LB589 & No 56 27 & 28 Jan 1887 3.2.6 . . 1.1.0 2 export cases, 1 skeleton case 77.14.4 true cost was 81.13.6 less 5% discount.”

The “JP-W” refers to James Powell & Whitefriars stained glass. The designs have obviously been done to complement with the other Ferguson & Urie windows.

The triple light window in the south wall, east end, is by by Ferguson & Urie and was the gift of the church clerk of works, William Harrison, erected during the building of the church in 1878. William Harrison was an architect by profession and a local Prahran Councillor who had represented the rate-payers of Prahran for a period of nine years. A glowing tribute to his memory is unlikely to ever be written though. As a Councillor he was labelled with the unfortunate nickname of “Terrible Billy” [5]. At a church service in St Matthew’s in April 1878 he was the first on the scene to assist the dying Reverend Barnabas Walker who had collapsed during the Sunday service [6] .  After Harrison’s electoral defeat in August 1886 his life began its eventual downward slide with effects of acute alcoholism and he eventually lost contact with his friends and family and he slipped into obscurity. A sad, but inevitable set of circumstances saw him eventually buried as an UN-identified ‘john-doe’ after being found intoxicated and near death in a local park circa late 1886, but, sadly this was not realised until 1889 [7].

The centre lancet of the Harrison window contains the figure of a character looking like a saint but with no saintly Nimbus. Who it is, is a matter for debate. The character could be male or female and in his/her left hand is the bible and in the right hand is an engineering instrument identified as a “Geophysical Governator”[8] or “Centrifugal governor”, which was primarily used to regulate the speed of steam driven equipment or timing devices. The text below the character gives the impression that he maybe St Bennedict, but the lack of Nimbus around his head probably precludes him as any form of saint. The engineering “Governor” in his hand also adds the extra mystery as to whom the image is supposed to represent. The text below the figure reads:

“ORA ET LABORA“, from the Latin: “Pray and Work”, (which is the “Rule of St Bennedict“).

A shield appears at the base of the window with the text:

“THE GIFT OF WM HARRISON CLERK OF WORKS

AT BUILDING OF THIS CHURCH 1878”

Photos taken: 13th November 2011.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Thursday 12th July 1877, page 5.

“After some delay, the new church of St. Matthew’s, in High-street, Prahran, has been commenced. The contractors are Messrs. Rankin and Purvis, whose tender amounts to £6,150. The church is to be built of bluestone, with Waurn Ponds freestone dressings, and will accommodate 800 persons. It is to be ready for opening next Easter. The bishop of Melbourne is to be asked to lay the stone.”

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Monday 3rd September 1877, page 6.

“ST. MATTHEW’S CHURCH, PRAHRAN.”

“The ceremony of laying the memorial stone of the new St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, High-street, Prahran, took place on Saturday, in the presence of a large concourse of people. This church has been in existence for the last 25 years, and during that period no fewer than three others have sprung from it, viz, St. John’s, Toorak; Christ Church, South Yarra; and All Saints’, St. Kilda. Singularly enough, however, while the children have enjoyed a large measure of prosperity, and built for themselves structures in keeping with the positions to which they have attained, the mother has hitherto continued in rather humble circumstances. The history of St. Matthew’s Church commenced in the old school-room in Chapel-street, and when the new school-room was erected in High-street, at the rear of the site of the new church, they proceeded thither, and have occupied that building ever since. During the past few years, and especially under the pastorate of the present incumbent, the rev. B.S. Walker, there have been symptoms of fresh vigour amongst the members, as well as a desire and necessity for a larger and more appropriate place of worship. Hence the present undertaking. The church is designed by Messrs. Terry and Oakden, architects, and is in the early decorated Gothic style of the 13th century…”

“…Mr. Black presented Dr. Moorhouse with a silver trowel, bearing the following inscription:- “Presented to the Right Rev. Dr. Moorehouse, Bishop of Melbourne, on the occasion of his laying the memorial stone of St. Matthew’s Church, Prahran, September 1, 1877…”

Laying of the foundation Stone of St Mathew’s Church, Prahran, 1st September 1877 (in-line image from Picture Victoria)

The Australasian Sketcher with Pen and Pencil, Saturday 11th May 1878, page 23.

“…the porch containing the main entrance to the nave, and a bold west (or rather south) window of five lights with rich geometric tracery. The side windows – with the exception of the first window on the east side of the nave, which is a four-light tracery window, elevated in a gable to rise above the gallery – are plain three-light windows with segmented pointed enclosing arches…”

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Saturday 29th June 1878, page 5.

“OPENING OF ST. MATTHEW’S CHURCH.”

The new church of St. Matthew, which is situated in High-street, Prahran, was opened for divine service last night by the Bishop of Melbourne. The church supercedes one that has been in existence for many years near the same site, and it has been erected by the parishioners in consequence of the wooden building formerly occupied having become too small for the wants of the congregation. The building has been completed with the exception of stuccoing and painting inside, and last night it was thoroughly crowded, about 1,000 persons being inside it, although it has been designed to seat only 700…”

Star, New Zealand, Issue 6470, 13th February 1889, page 3.

“A SENSATION.
EXTRAORDINARY DISAPPEARANCE OF A PROMINENT CITIZEN.
[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]
{Per s.s. Waihora, at the Bluff.)
MELBOURNE, FEB. 7.”
“A sensation has been created at Prahran by a disclosure which last week made concerning the disappearance of a prominent citizen, named William Harrison, who has been missing for a period of two years. Harrison was an ex-Councillor of the city, and always took a keen interest in the public affairs of the district. He was an architect by profession, and his peculiar temperament, coupled with the enthusiasm he at all times displayed on public questions, gained him the title of “Terrible Billy,” and it is under this sobriety that he was generally known by the residents of the municipality. For a period of nine years Mr Harrison represented the ratepayers on the Council Board, and after remaining a private citizen for some years he, during the month of August, 1886, contested another election for a seat, and was defeated. This was probably due to his having given way to excessive drinking in conducting his candidature and it is about this time that he was lost sight of by his friends. A few days after the election he gave his relatives to understand that he purposed visiting Queensland, and since then he was not heard of until a few days ago, when his family connections placed his photograph in the hands of the detective police, who recognised it as the picture of a man who, about two years ago, died in a Melbourne hospital from the effects of drink. Deceased was discovered lying in one of the public gardens in a dying condition, with two brandy bottles at his side. He was never identified, and was buried as an unknown man. The police are fully persuaded that the deceased man was none other than Harrison. His relatives have been greatly distressed at the unfortunate man’s terrible fate.”

Excerpt from Prahran  Conservation Review document, HO126.

“In May 1982 part of the nave of the church and the south-west corner was destroyed by fire. Some reconstruction was carried out at this time but the original structure of the church was retained. The western transept has been replaced with a bluestone wall with brick quoins finishing the buttresses. An external steel staircase provides access to three levels of offices in this section of the church. The entry on the eastern side of the façade, with its ornate shafted jam has a new mirror door. A courtyard is a feature of the recent alterations to the church. The offices which occupy the front section of the church are separated from the rear section by the courtyard which is enclosed by the original nave walls. The rear walls of the church, including sanctuary and vestry are intact.”

Footnotes:

[8] Email from Dr. B. D. Hughes 7 Dec 2012.

External links:

Other historical images from Picture Victoria of St Matthew’s, include historical images and from the 1892 fire damage and reconstruction:

http://www.picturevictoria.vic.gov.au/site/stonnington/miscellaneous/11267.html
http://www.picturevictoria.vic.gov.au/site/stonnington/miscellaneous/13183.html
http://www.picturevictoria.vic.gov.au/site/stonnington/miscellaneous/13206.html
http://www.picturevictoria.vic.gov.au/site/stonnington/miscellaneous/13186.html
http://www.picturevictoria.vic.gov.au/site/stonnington/miscellaneous/13188.html
http://www.picturevictoria.vic.gov.au/site/stonnington/miscellaneous/13189.html

Short link to this page: http://wp.me/p28nLD-1tI

© Copyright

Aug 15 2012

1879: St Luke’s Church, Bothwell, Tasmania, Australia.

The chancel of St Luke’s Church at Bothwell in Tasmania has a magnificent memorial stained glass window by Ferguson & Urie created circa 1879.

The memorial subject of the window is ‘Hunter Young’ (1823-1878) who died in his sleep at the age of 54 in the historic town of Bothwell in Tasmania on Sunday the 19th of May 1878. Hunter had the unfortunate employment title of “Scab Inspector for Bothwell.” His unenviable task was to inspect and fine any farmer found to be selling diseased sheep from the local properties. By all accounts, despite his job, he was well respected and had many friends who later subscribed for the erection of the window. His gravestone still exists at Bothwell Municipal Cemetery.
.
Photos taken: 12th  August 2012.
.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The memorial text on the window reads: “ERECTED IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE OF HUNTER YOUNG BY SOME OF HIS NUMEROUS FRIENDS. A.D. 1879”.

Historic newspaper transcriptions:

Launceston Examiner, TAS, Monday 20th May 1878, page 2.

“TASMANIA (From our own correspondent) Bothwell, May 19”.

“Mr. Hunter Young, Scab Inspector for this district, was found dead in his bed this morning. An inquest will be held at noon to-morrow”

The Mercury, Hobart, TAS, Tuesday 21st May 1878, page 1.

FAMILY NOTICES

“YOUNG.- On May 19, at Bothwell, Hunter Young, aged 54”.

Launceston Examiner, Wednesday 22 May 1878, page 3.

“DEATH OF MR. HUNTER YOUNG.- A telegram from Bothwell in yesterday’s Mercury gives additional particulars to those already published by us. It states that Mr Hunter Young, Inspector of Sheep, was found dead in his bed at his lodgings at Bothwell on Sunday morning. Mr Bumford knocked at his door a little before church time, and receiving no answer, he entered his room and found Mr. Young lying apparently asleep, but quite dead.”

Launceston Examiner, TAS, Friday 24th May 1878, page 3.

“BOTHWELL. (From our own Correspondent.)”

“An inquest was held at the Council Chambers on Monday last, before A. Reid, Esq., and a jury of seven, on the body of Hunter Young, late sheep inspector of this district, who died suddenly at his lodgings early on Sunday morning last. The principal witness examined was Mr Edward Bumford, who deposed – I am a householder residing at Bothwell; I knew the deceased Hunter Young, the subject of this enquiry; I have seen his body this morning in presence of the coroner; he lodged at my house; his duties as inspector of sheep called him from home frequently; he returned home on Saturday afternoon last, having been away since Tuesday; he appeared well and more cheerful than usual; he took a hearty supper after he came home, and went out about 5 p.m., but returned about 8 o’clock and asked if his watch had been sent home, but on being told that it had not said, that he must go and enquire about it; after I had been in bed a good while I heard Mr Young return and slam the door to, but I do not know what time it was; as he did not rise at the usual hour on Sunday morning I knocked at his bedroom door about half-past ten, and receiving no answer I opened it and went inside and found deceased apparently asleep but quite dead; I closed the door and reported the circumstance to the Superintendant of Police. The superintendant of Police and Constable Bumford were also examined, Dr Naylor having made a post mortem examination gave evidence as to the cause of death – he described in professional language the result of his examination, the purport of which was that deceased had died from natural causes, namely, cerebral apoplexy. A verdict to that effect was returned accordingly.

The remains of the deceased gentleman were interred at the Bothwell cemetery on Tuesday afternoon, when a large concourse of friends attended the funeral, Mr Young was a very old resident of the Clyde and Ouse districts and was well known and much respected by settlers generally.  May 21st.”

The Mercury, Hobart, TAS, Saturday 8th June 1878, page 2s.

“OBITUARY”

“Mr. Hunter Young died suddenly at Bothwell on the 18th may. He was a son of the late Captain Young, formerly of the Ouse, and brother-in-law to William Tarleton, Esquire, the present Police Magistrate of Hobart Town. He held the office of Inspector of Sheep for the Western portion of Tasmania for many years, and not withstanding the disagreeable duties pertaining to his office, which he had occasionally to carry out, it is not known that he ever made and enemy. He will be much missed in the Bothwell district, and, in fact, everywhere else where he was known, which was everywhere on the south side of the island”.

Restoration/Conservation:
This Ferguson & Urie window underwent restoration and conservation work by Tasmania’s stained glass expert, Gavin Merrington of ‘Original Stained Glass’, Hobart. Tasmania, in June 2004.

 

Short link to this page: http://wp.me/p28nLD-1dg
Jun 6 2012

31-08-1878: St. Matthews Church, Dunedin, New Zealand.

A rare Ferguson & Urie stained glass window exists in St Matthews [1] Church at Dunedin, New Zealand.

On the afternoon of the 21st of May 1878, a young boy by the name of James Ernest Maitland died as the result of a horrific coach accident that occurred between Palmerston and Moeraki.

The memorial stained glass window to the Maitland boy was designed by Ferguson & Urie’s senior stained glass artist David Relph Drape and was selected by Mr. Thomas Austin of New Zealand in 1878. The Otago Witness newspaper in New Zealand ran an article about the window on the 31st of August 1878, with the mention of Ferguson & Urie as the makers. On the 6th of January 2010, the original pencil sketch design for the window was found amongst a collection of Drape’s stained glass designs at the State Library of Victoria. The window has the memorial text at the bottom “IN MEMORIAM JAMES ERNEST MAITLAND 22 MAY ____”. At some time the window’s history the bottom right corner that contained the year “1878” was broken and was replaced with a plain coloured piece of glass.

Photo of the window by Errol Vincent, New Zealand, 5th October 2010.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The following are historical accounts of the coach accident as reported in the tabloids of the time:

Otago Witness, New Zealand, Issue 1396, 31st August 1878, page 7.

“A stained-glass window has lately been placed in St. Matthew’s Church, in memory of James Ernest Maitland, son of Mr J. P. Maitland, who was killed in the late terrible coach accident. The window was erected by the choir of St Matthew’s, of which the deceased was a chorister for a long time, and the Carisbrook Cricket Club, in which Ernest Maitland’s name will long be remembered as one of the most promising juniors. The chaste design and colouring of the window reflect credit on the builders, Messrs Ferguson and Urie, of Melbourne, and on Mr Thomas Austin, who selected the plan when recently in Melbourne”.

Otago Witness, New Zealand, Issue 1382, 25th May 1878, page 10.

ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Oamaru, May 23rd.

It is difficult to ascertain fully the extent of the injuries received by the passengers on the coach which met with the accident yesterday. The medical men have been too much engaged to attend to the numerous inquiries. It is equally difficult to arrive at any definite conclusion as to the real cause of the accident. Several passengers give different versions of the matter. Some say that one of the traces broke or got loose, and dangling about the horses legs, caused them to bolt; others that the boy Maitland fell from his seat on the box and dragged the reins out of the driver’s hands in his fall. Others state that a bolt came out, and that the two portions of the coach became severed, and that the horses bolted with fore part of the vehicle, leaving the main body to run down hill as best it might. The latter seems the most probable cause, as all agree in saying that the horses bolted with the fore part of the coach, and that the coach continued to run rapidly down hill, notwithstanding that the brake was applied with all force by the driver and the boy Maitland, who was sitting on the box on the near side. It appears that there were about twenty persons in the coach, including the driver. Of these, nine were inside, six on the box, and the rest at the back and on top. Those on the box were – Maitland, Hill, and Fulton, the two latter having Mr Strode’s two sons on their knees. Mr Nichols and Mr Hunter were on the outside seat at the back, and two others were on the rack below them, and one or two on the top. Most of the passengers had walked up the hill to relieve the horses, and had not long resumed their seats when the accident occurred. When the horses bolted several of the passengers at the back of the coach jumped off, none of them being severely injured by doing so. The coach appears to have run down the hill at a rapid pace. The driver applied the brake on one side, and Maitland did so on the other side, in obedience to the bidding of the driver, but failed to check the speed of the coach. After going about a hundred yards it seems to have swerved, and run off the road, tumbling over and over down the embankment, for a distance of some forty or fifty feet, its further progress being stopped by a wire fence. Just before the coach went over, Mr Bishop, of the Sun newspaper, who was on the top, jumped off and fell with his head against a rock, inflicting a nasty scalp wound. He also sprained his ankle, rolled over the embankment, and was picked up insensible, remaining in that state two or three hours. He is, however, progressing favourably. The extent of the injuries received by Mr Nichols and young Maitland you will find recorded in the evidence of Dr Hazard. The poor lad Maitland, after lying all night at the National Bank, whither he was taken at the request of the Manager, expired shortly after 10 o’clock this morning. From the first it was evident that he was beyond hope of recovery. He never regained consciousness. His body, and that of Mr Nichols, were forwarded to Dunedin this evening by train. Mr Nichols was thrown violently on his head, and expired about a quarter of an hour afterwards. Mr Francis Fulton, in addition to being severely shaken, had one of the small bones of his lame leg broken, and is likely to be laid up for some time. The two sons of Mr A. C. Strode escaped almost miraculously. In addition to bruises and severe shaking, it is said one of them dislocated his arm. They did not come on here, but resumed to Dunedin. I believe Messrs Hill and Hunter were both severely shaken and bruised, the former receiving a cut on the knee-cap which will cause him to be confined to his room for some time, while the latter had one of his arms badly hurt. Another passenger named Connor, brother to one of the witnesses at the inquest, also received severe injuries, but the extent of them I cannot find out. He is in the hospital, and doing very well. Mr Goddard, the driver, received several very severe wounds on the head, one of which is very deep, in addition to other injuries. He ha 3at times during the day teen out of his mind, but is much better this evening. When Borne of the uninjured passengers or those only slightly wounded lifted the coach up, Mr McNicol and others were found underneath it. How they escaped being killed or severely injured is a mystery. According to the statement of one of the passengers, the coach seems to have bounded over several persons in tumbling down the hill. Of all the passengers those inside seem to have fared best. None of them appear to have received any injuries worthy of mention. The spectacle presented after the accident is described as appalling. The sufferers were strewn in all directions, and lying; in every conceivable position, some insensible and some conscious, but unable to move. Blood was freely flowing from most of them. The feelings of those who were injured, but conscious, must have been terrible, seeing that they were far away from any source of help, or any means of sending for assistance, and dependent entirely upon any chance passer-by. It was fortunate that Mr Bell happened to pass by that lonely spot, and for his prompt action in driving to Hampden and telegraphing for assistance he is deserving of praise, as is also Mr Back for speedily responding to the call by tending a special train. Long before the special train arrived in Oamaru, arrangements of a perfect nature had been made at the Hospital for the reception of the sufferers, while abundance of cabs and expresses, with mattresses and blankets, were waiting at the railway station. Goddard has been driving on the same road for seven or eight years, and has always been looked upon as a careful driver. It is remarkable that the only accident of any note he ever met with was reserved for his last trip, and that too when his final journey to Moeraki had nearly been completed.

Otago Daily Times, New Zealand, Issue 5083, 3 June 1878, page 7

THE INQUEST.

An inquest on the bodies of Mr Charles Nicholas and Master J. E. Maitland was commenced on May 22, before Mr Parker, Coroner.

The first witness called was Alexander John Fergusson, duly qualified medical practitioner residing in Dunedin, who deposed that he had seen the body lying in the premises of the Northern Hotel, and identified it as that of Charles Nichols, of the firm of Dalgety, Nichols, and Co. He had also seen the body lying at the National Bank. It was that of James Ernest Maitland, a son of Mr J. P. Maitland. He thought Mr Nichols between 50 and 60 years of age, and Master Maitland about 14 years[2].

John Hazard, duly qualified medical practitioner, at present residing at Oamaru, deposed that he made an examination of the body lying at the Northern Hotel, which had been identified as that of Mr Nichols. He found a comminuted fracture of the bones entering into the formation of the left orbit. The superior maxillary bone was broken into fragments. The left eye-ball was disorganised. These injuries were sufficient to account for death. He had also examined the body of James Ernest Maitland, and found a very severe lacerated wound commencing at the right eye brow and extending to the back of the head, entirely denuding the bone of the forehead. There was also a very extensive comminuted fracture of the frontal bone and right parietal bone. Deceased had also sustained a fracture of the right pelvis, with very severe laceration of the neighbouring parts, and a lacerated transverse wound on the left knee, in addition to several minor contusions in different parts of the body. The injuries received were quite sufficient to cause death.

Thomas Hunter, commission agent, residing at Wellington, deposed that he was a passenger by the coach which left Palmerston about 2 p.m. for Moeraki on Tuesday. He could not say how many passengers were on the coach. He was sitting on the outside back seat with Mr Nichols, two more passengers sat below them on the rack, and two and two others on the roof just above witness and Mr Nichols. The inside appeared to be full. He knew the Horse range. Up to the time of reaching the hill nothing, so far as he was aware, was wrong with the coach. The driver was perfectly sober, and had driven at a steady pace the whole time. When the coach was about a quarter of a mile down the bill, witness became aware that the horses were bolting. Two men below witness dropped off almost immediately, and witness followed them, but Mr Nichols kept his seat. One of the passengers on the roof also dropped down. The coach then went down hill at full speed for about a hundred yards. When he got up he could not see the coach, but the horses with both fore wheels were some distance ahead of him. Three of the horses were standing and another lying down, the pole being partly entangles with its legs. After walking a little distance witness was the remains of the coach down an embankment about 40 or 50 feet from the road. It appeared to have been stopped in its descent by a wire fence. When witness left the scene of the accident the deceased, Charles Nichols, was not dead, but he was frightfully mangled and breathed with great difficulty. He (deceased) was lying at the bottom of the gully. The lad – Maitland was lying close by him.

To the Foreman: There were ten of twelve persons on the outside of the coach, including the driver, and with exception of two on the roof they appeared to be all comfortably seated.

To the Jury: There were only a few parcels on the roof. He did not know how many the coach was supposed to carry. The inside appeared to be full. In jumping off he (witness) sustained some slight bruises on his left side and arm. He could not say whether or not the brake was acting.

W. Connor, lately of Tokomairiro, deposed that he was a passenger by the coach from Palmerston to Moeraki yesterday. He left the latter place about two o’clock. Nothing went wrong until at the top of the Horse Range. He could not say how many were on the box seat or inside the coach. On the roof on the luggage were two passengers. The last witness, Mr Hunter, and Mr Nichols were on the back seat, and he and another sat on the luggage. There were six passengers outside, besides those on the box seat. There was not much luggage on the roof. They had just reached the crown of the hill when some one cried “Trace loose.” After he heard this the coach commenced to go very fast, and he dropped on to the ground, and held on to the vehicle, running behind it. He saw what he thought was a trace loose, flapping on the near side. He could not say whether the brake was acting or not. He heard it grating up to the time he left the coach. From the place where he jumped off to that where the coach fell over there was an embankment for a distance of six or seven chains. Before the coach went over last witness and two others jumped off. He did not see the vehicle fall. When he saw it next it was 40 or 50 feet down the embankment. The top was smashed, and the body on its side, some of the wheels were broken. He saw the fore carriage about five chains farther down the road, with what appeared to be two horses lying beside it. He went back along the road, and at the place where he heard the cry he found a piece of iron, called the tree, that holds the trace, with a link of the trace, lying on the road.

To the Jury: He did not pick them up. When he saw Mr Nichols he was lying three or four yards from the remains of the coach, bleeding profusely from the mouth, nose, eyes, and ears. He was alive then, but died about 20 minutes afterwards. Master Maitland was lying with his feet on Mr Nichol’s legs, and was fearfully cut above the abdomen and head. Witness did not know, of his own knowledge, when he died. Goddard was sober, and drove steadily and carefully. Witness could not say whether the cry came from inside the coach. The horses were, he thought, very steady. His brother, who was an inside passenger, was hurt.

To the Jury: He did not see the pole of he coach after the accident. He and another man removed the coach from the three passengers who were underneath.

The inquest was then adjourned till the 6th June to obtain the evidence of the driver and Mr Fulton.

The Funerals of the late Mr Charles Nichols and Master James Ernest Maitland, who were killed by the recent coach accident, took place on the 24th ultimo, at the Northern Cemetery. There was a large number of mourners, and the bodies were interred close to each other, and the service was read jointly by the Rev. R. L. Stanford and the Ven. Archdeacon Edwards.

Grey River Argus New Zealand, Volume 07, Issue 3061, 7 June 1878, page 2.

COACH ACCIDENT INQUIRY.

Wellington, June 8.

The adjourned inquiry into the cause of the recent coach accident, by which Mr Nicholls and young Maitland, were killed, took place to-day. Goddard, the driver appeared in court with his head bandaged up. He gave evidence, that when the coach had descended the Horse Range about two or three hundred yards, the trace of the offside pole horse came loose, and this caused the horses to take fright, and they broke into a gallop. In crossing a water course on the road the coach jerked violently and the king bolt came out, and the brake then had no control. After going a short distance the coach capsized. The Jury returned the following verdict: “That Chas. Nicholls and James Ernest Maitland, met their death accidentally, and that there is no blame to be attributed.”

Foot notes:

[1] The foundation stone of St Matthews was laid, with Masonic honours, on the 11th of July, 1873 and was opened on the 3rd of December, 1874, costing £4,854 4s 3d.

[2] James Ernest Maitland was age 16 at time of death. Born 1862 (NZ BDM:1862/1889), died 1878 (NZ BDM: 1878/2211)

Acknowledgments:

My gratitude to the late Errol & Ann Vincent for undertaking the massive 2,000 km round trip to follow this up and take the photos of the stained glass window.

Short link to this page: http://wp.me/p28nLD-11u

© Copyright

Mar 16 2012

21-09-1878: St. Phillip’s, Collingwood, Victoria.

The foundation stone of  St. Phillip’s was laid by the Governor on the 29th December 1863.

The Age, 28th April 2005, reported that St Phillip’s had been demolished in October 1968 at the instigation of the Bishop Geoffrey Sambell in defiance of a National Trust order.

A new bluestone church was built on the site of the old church hall circa 1999. The new church’s main window is now an eight-metre-high stained glass window facing Hoddle Street, designed by Christopher John of Phoenix Glass, at Box Hill, at a cost of $96,000.

The windows of the original church were made by Ferguson & Urie over a number of years and were relocated before the 1968 demolition:

The Church of England Messenger, Melbourne, Vic, Thursday 7th October 1875, page 4-5.

“ST. PHILIP’S MELBOURNE.- At a recent meeting of the friends of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Gold-street, it was resolved to contribute £100 per annum towards a curate for St. Philip’s parish, to assist the rev. J. Caton. It was also resolved to make an addition to the church by enlarging the present vestry, and making it available for a class-room. The appointment of a curate will be, it is hoped, a great acquisition to the parish. Hitherto Mr. Baker, a lay helper, has conducted services, but failing sight renders it desirable he should have rest. Messrs. Ferguson and Urie have just completed and erected in St. Philips Church a very pretty specimen of their artistic skill in stained glass, in the shape of a “memorial window,” made to order of the incumbent, the Rev. John Caton. During the late fatal visitation of measles and their after effects, the parsonage was not exempt, and a younger son of the rev. gentleman was carried off by death. The following is the inscription:- “Erected by the Rev. John Caton to the glory of god, and in memory of his beloved son, Herbert Henry Carus, who died Feb. 3rd, 1875, aged two years and four months.” The window is a great ornament to the sacred edifice, and a lasting memorial of parental love and affection to the little blossom snatched by death and rescued from this world of sorrows to enjoy the bliss of the courts of heaven.- From the local papers.”

Mercury and Weekly Courier, Victoria, Saturday 21st September 1878, page 2.

“… numerous memorial stained glass windows gives the church a very solemn and beautiful appearance. A portion of another memorial window to the memory of the late Rev. B.S. Walker, first incumbent, is now in course of execution by Messrs. Fergusson [sic] and Urie, and will comprise a full length figure of St. Phillip, the patron saint of the church.”

Fortunately seven of the original historic Ferguson & Urie stained glass windows still exist and were subsequently installed in the chapel of the Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement.

Photographs courtesy of Mrs Noelle Nathan, taken at the Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement Chapel 06/04/2012.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

External links:

Trove Obituary: Rev. B. S. Walker

Trove: St Philips Collingwood, 1866.

Short link to this page: https://wp.me/p28nLD-s0

© Copyright

Mar 16 2012

05-08-1878: Wesleyan Church, Balaclava, Melbourne, Victoria.

Illustrated Australian News, Melbourne, Monday 5th August 1878, page 139.

“WESLEYAN CHURCH, BALACLAVA. A very neat though small brick church has been erected upon a site at the corner of Chapel and Carlisle streets for he members of the Wesleyan Methodist church. […]

[…] the church was opened for divine service on the 23rd May, 1877. […]

“[…] The windows have been glazed with cathedral and ornamental stained glass by Ferguson and Urie.[…]”

The church contains many Ferguson & Urie stained glass windows. The nave windows comprise the typical stock lancets of plain diamond quarries and red and blue borders. The triple lights in the transepts contain the scroll design patterns.

In the North transept is a triple light window. The text on the scroll in the centre light reads:

‘WORSHIP THE LORD | IN THE BEAUTY | OF HOLINESS’

In the South transept is a triple light window, the text on the scroll in the centre light reads:

‘GIVE UNTO THE | LORD THE GLORY DUE | UNTO HIS NAME’
(This window was restored by Armadale Glass – date unknown)

The west window has no text and is predominantly grisaille design with the red and blue borders but has the letters ‘IHS’ in a roundel in the centre light.

At the time of my visit to the church, 13 Nov 2011, the church was in the beginnings of compiling information for the church history book. At that stage nothing was known about the stained glass windows. I spoke in-depth with the elders who seemed most interested and gave them a copy of the company history. Nothing known since then.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Mar 16 2012

26-07-1878: Reward for Lost Deeds and Plan.

The Argus, Melbourne, Friday 26th July 1878, page 1.

“TEN SHILLINGS REWARD – LOST, DEEDS and Plan, Elizabeth and Victoria streets. Apply Ferguson and Urie, 10 Collins-street east”.

I have no idea what relevance this is or whether it was actually anything to do with Ferguson & Urie or an employee who may have lost the “deeds”. The address “10 Collins-street east” is six years before the Ferguson & Urie seven storey building was erected on the site in 1884.

Related posts:

22-08-1884: The Ferguson & Urie New Premises at 281-283 Collins Street.