In October 1895 a stained glass window was erected over the Virgins Chapel at St Patrick’s Catholic Church at Kilmore. This window was reported to have been made in Lyons, France and its erection was at the instigation of Catherine Murray (c.1827-1896) in memory of her daughter Bridget Frances Rush and her grandson Ormond Thomas Murray Rush.

Catherine’s daughter Bridget had married Thomas Joseph Rush in St Patricks Catholic Church in Kilmore on the 24^th April 1889[1]. She gave birth to their only son, Ormond, on the 9^th June 1891 but Bridget died five days later[2] and the infant Ormond died two years later on the 1^st September 1893[3].

In early October 1895 the triple light stained glass window was erected behind the Virgins Altar in the liturgical east wall of St Patrick’s Catholic Church at Kilmore. The window was not made by the Ferguson & Urie Company but was reported as having been installed by a “capable workman from the firm of Ferguson and Urie”[4].

Ten months after the window was erected, the donor of the window, Catherine Murray, died at the Royal Oak Hotel at Kilmore on the 19^th July 1896, aged 69. She was the wife of Publican Mathew Murray (c.1810-1886) who was the licensee of The Royal Oak Hotel in Sydney Street Kilmore from circa 1860 until his death in 1886[5].  The hotel was then under the joint ownership of Alexander Murray and their son, Thomas Francis Murray[6].

Bridget’s husband, Thomas Joseph Rush, was a local businessman in Kilmore[7] as well as a Kilmore District Electoral Returning Officer[8], Kilmore Waterworks Trust Commissioner[9], President and member of the Kilmore hospital committee and Justice of the Peace. In March 1896 he sold his business interests and household furniture and effects[10] and decided to leave Kilmore and in May he was fare-welled at the Royal Oak Hotel by the Councillors and prominent members of the district[11].

The lone gravestone of Bridget Rush and her infant son Ormond is located at the Kilmore Catholic cemetery and is inscribed:

“ERECTED BY THOMAS JOSEPH RUSH IN MEMORY OF HIS LOVING WIFE BRIDGET FRANCES, WHO DIED 14th JUNE 1891. MAY THE ALMIGHTY HAVE MERCY UPON HER SOUL. ALSO, ORMOND THOMAS MURRAY RUSH, WHO DIED 1st SEPT 1893, AGED 2 YEARS & 3 MONTHS”

Photos taken 14th Dec 2013.

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Kilmore Free Press, Victoria, Thursday 10^th October 1895, page 3.

“ERECTION OF MEMORIAL WINDOW”

“Last week, at St. Patrick’s R.C. Church, Kilmore, a capable workman from the firm of Ferguson and Urie erected a stained glass window, in accordance with instructions from an esteemed and respected townswoman. The window is placed at the back of the Virgin’s Altar, and consists of three lights, in which are placed figures, the centre one being a full length representation of our Blessed lady, while in the lights in either side are representations of the Annunciation and the Immaculate Conception. All three are surmounted with suitable tracery in the mullions, both overhead and beneath. The glass, antique in pattern, was imported from one of the principal houses in Lyons, France, famous for work of this description, and a very noticeable feature in connection with the figures is the perfection with which they are drawn, indeed for beauty of design, completeness of detail, and for forcible expression, they seem to leave nothing to be desired, and in time to come when the present and coming generations shall have passed away, it will speak for the solid piety and charity of the generous donor. At the base of the very chaste memorial window is the following inscription in plain Roman letters:- ‘Erected by Mrs Murray to the memory of her beloved daughter and grandchild, Bridget Francis Rush and Ormond Thomas Murray. R.I.P.”

The window is indicated as being made in Lyons, France and only installed by a Ferguson & Urie employee in 1895. The makers are likely to be from the parent firm of Louis Gille & Co or Lyons, France.

Significant transcriptions:

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Thursday 11^th June 1891, page 1.

“RUSH.- On the 9^th inst., at Sydney-street, Kilmore, the wife of T. J. Rush – a son.”

This is Ormond Thomas Murray Rush – who died on the 1^st September 1893. His mother Bridget died five days after giving birth to him.

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Monday 15^th June 1891, page 1.

“RUSH.- On the 14^th inst., at her late residence, Sydney-street, Kilmore, Bridget, the beloved wife of Thomas J. Rush. Deeply regretted. R.I.P.”

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Thursday 16^th June 1891, page 1.

“THE Friends of Mr. T. J. RUSH are respectfully invited to follow the remains of his late beloved wife from his residence, Sydney-street, Kilmore, THIS DAY (Tuesday, 16^th inst.), at 9.30 a.m. The funeral will proceed first to St. Patrick’s R. C. Church, where a requiem mass will be celebrated, and thence at 3 p.m. to place of interment, the Kilmore Catholic Cemetery. THOMAS BOSSENCE, Undertaker, Kilmore.”

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Thursday 2nd September 1893, page 7.

“RUSH.- On the 1^st instant, at Kilmore, Ormond Thomas Murray, only son of T. J. and the late Bridget Frances Rush, aged 2 years and 3 months. R.I.P.”

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Monday 20^th July 1896, page 1.

“MURRAY.- On the 19^th July, at the Royal Oak Hotel, Kilmore, Catherine, relict of Matthew Murray, aged 69 years.”