The Rev John Gregory laid the foundation stone of Christ Church at Dingley on the 12th Feb 1873. The church was designed by architect Charles Webb and built on land owned by siblings Thomas and Mary Attenborough. The entire cost of the church construction was funded by the Attenborough family endowment and was dedicated on the 21st of September 1873 by Bishop Charles Perry.The collection of historical Stained Glass windows includes the makers Ferguson & Urie and Brooks, Robinson & Co.
The photos in the slideshow are the Ferguson & Urie windows and were taken on the 19th Jun 2011.
The Argus, Melbourne, Friday 26th September 1873, page 5.
“… This Church was built entirely at the expense of Miss Mary Attenborough, of Dingley Grange, Cheltenham”
The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Wednesday 13th March 1935, page 14.
“DINGLEY CHURCH.- M.H. (Fairfield). – The vicar of Christ Church, Dingley, has kindly supplied the following information- “The foundation-stone of the church was laid by the Rev. J. H. Gregory 62 years ago on February 12, 1873. The marble tablet on the south wall bears this inscription:- ‘In affectionate remembrance of Mary Attenborough, of Dingley Grange, by whom this church was built and endowed, who died June 22, 1876, aged 57 years.’ The tablet on the west wall reads:- ‘In memory of Robert Attenborough, Braybrooke, Northamptonshire, England, this church is erected by his grateful niece, Mary Attenborough, A.D. 1873.’ The sanctuary windows are in memory of Thomas and Robert Attenborough, brothers of Mary, and depict the Birth, Passion, and Resurrection of Christ. Four windows of great beauty are dedicated to Mary Attenborough by her brothers, George, Richard, Thomas, and James. One window is dedicated to Thomas Attenborough by the congregation. The brick church, which is beautifully finished, has seating accommodation for 120. There is also a parish hall in brick with supper-room, hall, and stage. The land on which these buildings stand, and an additional 70 acres, were also endowed, free of debt, to the Church of England by Miss Attenborough.” I am informed that there are several other endowed churches in Victoria.”
Ferguson and Urie 