The Thomas Thompson memorial window, erected in St Paul’s Church of England, Geelong, on Friday 14th February 1868.
St Paul’s was erected in Latrobe Terrace at Geelong between 1850-1855. The church was built in the early English Gothic-style to the design of architect, Charles Laing. Local architects, Snell and Kawerau (1853) and later Snell and Prowse (1855), were responsible for its completion and architect Leonard Terry designed the square tower which was extended in 1865.
On the Friday 14th February 1868 a two light Ferguson & Urie stained glass window was erected in St Paul’s Church of England in Latrobe Street Geelong. The window was erected to the memory of Thomas Thompson, a local Geelong Oil & Colour merchant and respected foreman of the Geelong Volunteer Fire Brigade.
The window depicts St Paul and St Peter and has the memorial text at the base which reads:
“IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE OF THOMAS THOMPSON WHO DIED FEB 24th 1867 AGED 35 YEARS. ERECTED BY THE BRETHREN OF THE MASONIC ORDER. THE G.V.F.B AND OTHER FRIENDS”.
Also below the saints are small roundels which have, beneath St Paul, the lettters ‘GG’ (Greater Geelong) and the Masonic symbol of the compass imposed over an open book. Beneath St Peter are the letters ‘GVFB’ (Geelong Volunteer Fire Brigade) and the Masonic symbol of the compass with a five pointed star (Pentagram) in the centre.
Photos taken: 18th December 2010.
Geelong Advertiser, Vic, Saturday 15th February 1868, page 2.
“The memorial window in memory of Mr Thomas Thompson, late foremen of the Geelong Fire Brigade, was yesterday placed in St. Paul’s Church, on the left hand side of the reading desk, looking to the chancel. This handsome memorial has been supplied from subscriptions from the friends of the late Mr Thompson, and from the Fire Brigade.”
Geelong Advertiser, Vic, Tuesday 18th February 1868, page 3.
ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, GEELONG.
This church has during the last week received an addition to its treasures in the form of a handsome stained glass window, placed in the north aisle oppsite to the reading-desk, the work of Messrs Ferguson and Urie of Melbourne. This window represents the figures of St Paul and St Peter, both life size – St Paul habited in a dark tunic and holding the double headed sword of the Spirit in his hand; his more delicate features (drawn from reliable authority), seeming to indicate tenderness of feeling and depth of thought. St Peter, a more ordinary figure, according to the usual tradition. with the keys of the Church in his hand. Over their heads an angel is holding a scroll with these words upon it, “Praise ye the Lord.” Below is the inscription of the window;- “Erected by the brethren of the Masonic Order and Geelong Volunteer Fire Brigade and other friends, in affectionate remembrance of Thomas Thompson, who died march 20, 1887, aged 35 years.” Immediately above the inscription are the emblems of the Masonic Order and the initials of the Geelong Volunteer Fire Brigade. It is in contemplation to complete the series of windows in the church, numbering twenty-four lIghts. The subjects are to represent the rest of the Apostles, and scenes from Scripture alternately. At the present time Messrs Ferguson and Urie are executing a window to be erected in Memory of Mr and Mrs Frederick Hawkes, who perished last year by drowning on the coast of Tasmania.”
Note: The windows mentioned as to the memory of Mr & Mrs Frederick Hawkes is included in a different article and can be seen [here]
Other significant transcriptions:
The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Monday 25th February 1867, page 4.
“THOMPSON.- On the 24th inst., at Clare-street, Geelong, Thomas Thompson, oil and colour merchant, aged thirty-five years”.
The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Monday 25th February 1867, page 5.
“Mr. Thomas Thompson, for many years foreman of the fire brigade in Geelong, and respected by all classes there, died somewhat suddenly yesterday morning”.
The Ballarat Star, Vic, Tuesday 26th February 1867, page 2.
“Mr Thomas Thompson, for many years foreman of the Fire Brigade in Geelong, and respected by all classes there, died somewhat suddely on Sunday morning. During Monday, the flags of the Ballarat fire brigades were lowered to half-staff high in reference to Mr Thompson’s demise.”
Geelong Advertiser, Vic, Friday 17th May 1867, page 2.
“The sum of 20 has been subscribed by the brethren of the Masonic Order towards the Memorial Window proposed to be erected in St Paul’s Church to the memory of the late Thomas Thompson, and last night at the meeting of the Fire Brigade a motion was carried recommending the managing committee of the reserve fund to devote £10 to the same purpose. The window is not expected to cost more than £50, so that these two amounts make more than half towards the total sum.”
Gippsland Times, Vic, Tuesday 21st May 1867, page 3.
“That there is considerable esprit de corps among our volunteer firemen has never been doubted, and another illustration of this fact occurs in the proposal of the Geelong Volunteer Fire Brigade to erect a memorial window in St. Paul’s Church to the memory of their late foreman, Mr. Thompson, an old and much respected member of the company. Fifty pounds is spoken of as the maximum of the cost of the proposed work.”
The Ballarat Star, Vic, Monday 17th February 1868, page 2.
“Saturday’s Adertiser states – “The memorial window in memory of Mr. T. Thompson, late foreman of the Geelong Fire Brigade, was yesterday placed in St. Paul’s Church on the left-hand side of the reading desk looking to the chancel. This handsome memorial has been supplied from subscriptions from the friends of the late Mr Thompson, and from the Fire Brigade.”
Related posts:
17-04-1867: The Hawkes memorial window, St Paul’s Anglican Church, Latrobe Terrace, Geelong, Victoria.
Ferguson and Urie 