Mar 13 2012

18-11-1876: St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Richmond, Melbourne, Victoria.

The foundation stone of St Stephen’s Church was laid in June 1850 and the incomplete church opened in November 1851. In 1863 the north aisle, designed by Nathaniel Billing, was erected and the west wall rebuilt. The south aisle and chancel were erected in 1876 and the choir vestry in 1923.

The Argus, Melbourne, Saturday 18^th November 1876, page 7.

“The Church of England in Richmond celebrated its 25^th anniversary on Wednesday evening by a festive gathering in the local hall […]”.

“….The following list of special gifts was also read:- Chancel and stone work of east window at two friends’ joint cost; chancel window, Mr. George Coppin, M.L.A…”

“… The Rev. C. T. Perks, the incumbent, in his address, said that an old friend had, unsolicited, offered to give a handsome memorial window to commemorate the 25^th anniversary. The work was entrusted to Messrs. Fergusson (sic) and Urie.…”

There are four instances of Ferguson & Urie windows in St Stephens church:

1. The west 25th Anniversary window (1851-1876) is a three light window with the outer lancets having geometric designs with the year 1851 in the left window and 1876 in the right. The centre light depicts the Ascension in the top half with the words “HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN” below it and the letters “IHS” in the lower half. The text at the bottom of the windows reads: ”GIFT OF JOHN AND MARY J PATERSON LONDON, MARRIED JULY 26th 1859″.

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Thursday 28th July 1859, page 4.

“On the 26th inst., at St. Stephen’s, Richmond, by the Rev. C. Perks, John Paterson, Esq., merchant, Melbourne, to Mary Jane, eldest daughter of the late William Mungo Glaister. Esq., London.”

2. The east five light window in the chancel was donated by entertainer and politician George Selth Coppin. It depicts a full length figure of St. Stephen, the patron saint of the church, in the centre light. The outer lights, of geometric designs, have in each a medallion of the four evangelists, St Matthew as the winged man, St Mark as a winged Lion, St Luke as the winged Bull and St John as an Eagle. Above the five lights is a roundel depicting the Agnes Dei or Paschal lamb carrying the flag of St George and is surrounded by six round lobes of flora with the heavenly Dove in the top lobe.

3. On the South side of the church there is also a quatrefoil window that depicts the holy dove within a Hexagram, or Star of David, and surrounded by floral designs.

4. On the North side there is a quatrefoil that depicts the gold crown in the centre of floral designs.

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12-07-1862: The Shakespeare window at the Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne (also commissioned by Coppin).

External links:

Biography: George Selth Coppin (1819-1906)

Obituary : Coppin, George Selth (1819–1906) (I submitted this transcription to Obituaries Australia on 13-03-2012).

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

Mar 9 2012

22-05-1874: Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Westbury, Tasmania

The Mercury, Hobart, Tasmania, Friday 22^nd May 1874, page 2.

“OPENING CEREMONIES AT THE CHURCH OF HOLY TRINITY, WESTBURY”

“The Nave is lighted by a magnificent Oriel window in the centre which is a representation of the Divine Lord, surrounded by a representation of the Pelican in the wilderness, the cross and Heart, the cross with the hammer and nails, the cross with the circle of thorns, with I.N.R.I; a representation of the undivided garment of Christ, the lamp of faith, and the lamb. This window was executed by Messrs Ferguson & Urie. It was the gift of Daniel Burke Esq the Warden of Westbury […]”.

“[…] Two stained glass windows with two lights being St Patrick and St Bridget and the other, The Annunciation – a gift from Mrs William Smith of Westbury and the Rev W.J Dunn vicar general. These windows were executed by Ferguson & Urie.[…]”

Photos taken 11th October 2010.

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See post 21-05-1874 for additional article about the Westbury windows.

21-05-1874 > 22-05-1874

Mar 9 2012

21-05-1874: Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Westbury, Tasmania.

Launceston Examiner, Tasmania, Thursday 21st May 1874, page 3.

“CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY, WESTBURY”.

“OPENING CEREMONIES. WEDNESDAY, MAY 20”.

“…The east end window is the gift of Mr John barber and family; it represents the nativity, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection, with artistically enriched borders; the colors are exquisitely beautiful. This presentation window came from the establishment of Messrs Couttes and Sons, London, and is an admirable work of art. Another window is of stained glass in two lights each, one representing St. Patrick and St. Bridget, the patron saints of Ireland, the gift of Mr William Smith; and the other “The Annunciation,” the gift of the Very Rev. Vicar-General Dunne. A third window, also of stained glass, is the gift of Mr Dignam, formerly of Westbury, and represents “father, Son, and Holy Ghost,” the church being dedicated to the Holy Trinity. There are also presentation windows by Mr D. Burke, Churchwarden of the church and Warden of the Municipality of Westbury, emblematic of the Crucifixion; and another from funds collected by Mrs Steward, representing Faith, Hope, and Charity. All the stained glass windows, with the exception of the barber presentation at the east end, are the artistic work of Messrs Ure [sic] and Ferguson, Melbourne, and are well worth inspection and study. All the lead lights were made by Howard Bros., Launceston…”

Photos taken 11th October 2010.

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There are a significant number of errors in the article about the windows. According to the actual text on some windows, the Ferguson & Urie windows were donated by the following:

1. Nave – “St Patrick” and “St Bridget” – “The gift of Mrs Thomas Field”.

2. Nave – The Annunciation –“Ave Maria” and “Gratia Plena” – (Hail Mary Full of Grace), “The gift of Mrs William Smith” and “The gift of the Very Rev Dr Dunne V. G”

3. Transept – The only text on the window reads – “Sancta Trinitas Unus Deus” – (The Trinity – The Father, Son & the Holy Ghost) – written in the article as the gift of Mr Dignam.

4. Transept – The only text on the window reads “Fides Spes Caritas” (Faith, Hope & Charity) and written in the article as from funds collected by Mrs Steward.

The window not mentioned in the article is the oriel shaped west window. It was specifically mentioned in an article published the following day but has been included it in this slideshow to complete the full cycle of the Ferguson & Urie windows at Holy Trinity Westbury.

See related posts: 22-05-1874

The east window described as being made by “Couttes and Sons, London” can be see on my alternate site: http://stainedglassaustralia.wordpress.com

Mar 8 2012

1874: The German Lutheran Church, Parliament Place, Melbourne, Victoria.

The German Lutheran Church was built in Parliament Place in 1874 and all the glazing was executed by Ferguson & Urie. The three windows in the apse are the centre piece of the church. All the windows in the Clerestory, and a number of windows in the nave with the red, blue and yellow borders are original Ferguson & Urie glass.

Photos taken 26 September 2010.

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The German Lutheran Church, Parliament place Melbourne.

The first German Lutheran church was built on the current site in 1854 by William Hellings to the designs of Bellairs, Kürsteiner & Co and was replaced in 1874 by the existing Gothic style bluestone church designed by Charles Blachmann and built by Henry Goedeke. All the original stained glass windows in the church were supplied by local stained glass company Ferguson & Urie in 1874 including the simple nave windows with plain glass diamond quarries and red and blue borders (I refer to these as their ‘stock’ windows). Some of these ‘stock’ windows were later replaced by memorial windows made by other stained glass artists. The three apse windows are all the same size with the centre one containing a different design which includes the Hexagram symbol, which is frequently seen as a symbol of the Freemasons (AKA ‘Seal of Solomon’ or’ Shield of David’), and the depiction of the Lamb of god with the victory flag and text below “Ecce Agnus Dei” which refers to John 1:29, “Behold the lamb of god, which taketh away the sin of the world”. The outer two apse windows are of identical design with an eight petal flower inside an eight pointed star which were medieval symbols of resurrection and eternal life. According to the church archives, the centre apse window was invoiced from Ferguson & Urie at £96, 12s on the 16th September 1874. At the top of the western three light window above the main entrance is a sexfoil rose design with red Y‐shaped decorations being symbols of the Trinity. The centre glass window below it was replaced in 1932 with stained glass designed by East Melbourne artist Ola Cohn.

Illustrated Sydney News, NSW, Saturday 16^th January 1875, page 3.

“NEW LUTHERAN CHURCH, MELBOURNE.

In February, 1849, the first ship with German immigrants arrived in Port Phillip; others soon followed, and formed a “Lutheran congregation, holding their services in a building in Collins-street, then the Rev. Mr. Morrison’s church, and now used as a State school. The services were conducted by laymen, a sermon being read by one of them. Mr. Matthias Goethe, one of the professors at Dr. Lang’s college in Sydney, accepted the charge, and, on Good Friday, 1853, was inducted pastor of the Lutheran congregation in Melbourne. Money was then collected, and the erection of a Lutheran church commenced on the Eastern-hill, on ground granted for that purpose. The cost was £6000, and it was opened in 1854. In 1867 the Rev. Mr. Goethe left for California, and the Rev. Herman Herlitz, from German town, near Geelong, succeeded him as pastor; and the old church being too small, it was resolved to erect a larger and more handsome building. In August, 1872, the plans of Mr. C. H. E. Blachmann were accepted, and the foundation stone of the new building was laid on the 17th of March last. The church when finished will seat about 330 persons, and will cost nearly £4000; the building is of bluestone, with cement dressing. The length, including chancel, is 85 feet; breadth of nave, 23 feet; with aisles each side 7 feet wide. The height inside to apex of ceiling is 36 feet. The windows to aisles and nave are filled with cathedral glass, having ornamented stained glass borders; but the apse windows are of a more costly description, all made by Messrs. Fergusson [sic] and Urie. The caps of columns carrying nave walls are beautifully foliated. All the fittings including a very handsome pulpit and reading desk, are of polished cedar and blackwood. A handsome organ presented by the Misses Moeglin, at a cost of about £400, will be put up in the gallery. The opening will take place next month”.

♦ Other References: ‘A German Church in the Garden of God’ – Melbourne’s Trinity Lutheran Church 1853-2003. Herbert D Mees General Editor.

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Mar 7 2012

21-11-1873: St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Robe, South Australia.

South Australia Register, Adelaide, Friday 21st November 1873, page 6.

“ROBE, November 18. A movement is on foot in this district for placing a window in St. Peter’s Church in memory of the late George Ormerod. About £100 will be required for the purpose.”

This stained glass window was eventually created. The two light window dedicated to the memory of George Ormerod was created by the Ferguson & Urie stained glass company of Melbourne circa 1874 and depicts the Nativity, Baptism, Resurrection and Ascension.

The Robe church history book supposedly has reference to this window being made by “Ferguson Will and Nyon” which is incorrect from two facets. It obviously should read “Ferguson, Urie and Lyon” but this would also be technically incorrect as the partner in the firm, John Lamb Lyon, officially dissolved his interest in the business with James Ferguson & James Urie on the 29^th August 1873 and left for Sydney shortly afterwards. The date of the article above, 21 Nov 1873, is nearly three months after Lyon left the business so the window that was eventually made for Ormerod would have technically been “Ferguson & Urie” and the artist being David Relph Drape.

The former business partner John Lamb Lyon went to Sydney to take up partnership with Daniel Cottier to become Sydney’s premier stained glass studio “Lyon & Cottier”.

Photos kindly contributed by Liz Harfull 19/02/2012.

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The Overland Telegraph, South Australia, 20th April 1872, page 5.

“THE LATE MR. ORMEROD.- Our Guichen Bay correspondent writes:- “As announced previously by telegram, Mr. George Ormerod, of Ormerod & Co., died at his Robe residence on the 10th inst. The death of one so long and intimately connected with this district could not but cause the most painful sensation. For some years past Mr. Ormerod has suffered from general debility and mental malady, the result of an overwrought brain. Frequent rallies had given hope that he might yet live many years; but during the last fortnight alarming symptoms showed themselves. Many far and near have watched anxiously the fluctuations of this last attack, still hoping his great vitality would carry him through; but he expired on the evening of the 10th. Mr Ormerod was a member of a very old Lancashire family, and was born at Rochdale in 1822. He came out to Victoria in 1842, and amongst the pioneer squatters settled at Naracoorte, about 1845 to 1846, on the station known as the Naracoorte Station. About 18 years ago he settled at Guichen Bay, opening up a large business there, which has aided greatly in the development of the South East. Mr. Ormerod shrunk from a public career, and the only public positions he held were those of J.P. and Chairman of the Local Road Board. These were retained as long as health permitted. The funeral took place on Friday afternoon, the body being interred in the Robe Cemetery. The procession was largely attended, some coming over 50 miles to be present. Many residents from Kingston testified their regard by following the remains to the grave. The Rev. H. Howitt, of St. Peter’s, preached a funeral sermon last Sunday, in which Mr. Ormerod’s many good qualities were appropriately alluded to. Mr. Ormerod has made a will, and it is understood that the business will be continued as heretofore for the benefit of his widow and family.”

Short Link: https://wp.me/p28nLD-lr

Mar 7 2012

24-10-1873: The Turkish Baths, Bourke Street, Melbourne, Victoria.

A building occupied by the Levy Brothers in Bourke street Melbourne was converted to Turkish baths by a Mr. S. J. Hosie.

The Argus, Melbourne, Friday 24^th October 1873, page 5.

“… The stained glass windows are from the works of Messrs. Ferguson and Urie and the paintings on glass were done by Mr. Moore…”

Thomas Hosie’s Turkish Bathing Palace and Bar was opened by Governor Sir George Bowen on the 23^rd of October 1873. The baths were located at Bourke Street East and no longer exists. Nothing is know what happened to the stained glass windows.

Short link yo this page: http://wp.me/p28nLD-ll

Mar 4 2012

10-07-1873: St. David’s Cathedral, Hobart, Tasmania.

St David’s Church Hobart Town is being built with the nave, aisles and transepts completed.

The Illustrated Sydney News, 10^th June 1873 and Illustrated Australian News for Home Readers, Melbourne, Friday 10th October 1873, page 170.

“NEW CATHEDRAL OF ST. DAVID, HOBART TOWN”

“[…] The west elevation consists, in its lower stage, of a porch of no great projection, the front of which exhibits three arched openings. Above this is a noble Gothic window of five lights with decorated tracery in the head. This is filled with plain “cathedral glass” imported from Ferguson, Urie and Co., of Melbourne, as are the windows of the clerestory. Several of the windows of the aisles are filled with stained glass of English manufacture, presented in memoriam by friends of deceased persons.[…]”

The original plain five light west window has been replaced by a modern stained glass window by Joseph Stansfield (date unknown). The plain clerestory windows by Ferguson & Urie are all still original.

Photos taken: 7th Oct 2010 & 12th Aug 2012.

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External links:

Web Site: St David’s Cathedral Hobart Tasmania

Mar 4 2012

19-06-1873: St. Andrew’s Church of England Cathedral, Sydney, New South Wales.

On the 12th and 19th of June 1873, the Sydney tabloids reported that a Ferguson & Urie window had been made for the Sydney Cathedral. The window depicted ‘Faith, Hope & Charity’ and was to be placed in the clerestory of St Andrew’s Church of England Cathedral in Sydney. The window was erected to the memory of Mary Ann Stephen (nee Pasmore), the widow of Judge John Stephen, the first puisne Judge appointed to the Supreme Court in the Colony of New South Wales. The window was subscribed for by her surviving children and was erected in the clerestory of St Andrew’s in 1873, ten years after her death in 1863 at the age of 89.

The memorial text on the window reads: “In memory of Mary Ann Stephen, The widow of John Stephen Esq., First Puisne Judge of this colony, Died in Sydney 1st January 1863, Aged 89 years”.

Photos of St Andrews Church were taken 8th May 2011. Photos of the stained glass window were taken by Ken Burke (via historian Karla Whitmore, 6th May 2013).

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The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Saturday 7th June 1873, page 5.

“A stained glass window, which has many elegant features, has been made by Messrs Ferguson and Urie, of Hotham for the Church of England Cathedral of Sydney. The window is to be placed in the clerestory as a memorial of the widow of the late Mr Justice Stephen. The principal figures represented are Faith, Hope, and Charity, with the last in the middle. Hope has her hand upon the anchor, and Faith carries the Bible and the Cross. The tracery of the window shows the lamb, and the pelican feeding its young. The window is most to be admired for the harmony of the colouring and the softness of the tone. A good general effect has been produced. The drapery on the figures has been exceedingly well done, and is somewhat in advance of the expression upon the faces. The letters underneath the figures state that the window is erected in memory of Mary Ann Stephen, widow of John Stephen, puisne Judge, who died in Sydney on the 1st of January, 1863, at the age of eighty-nine years. It is erected by her children. The height of it is 12 feet.”

The Sydney Morning Herald, NSW, Friday 2^nd January 1863, page 1.

“On 1^st January, at Eveleigh House, the residence of her son-in-law, Mary Anne Stephen, widow of John Stephen Esquire, first judge of this colony, and mother of Sir Alfred Stephen, in her eighty-ninth year.”

Judge John Stephen died on Saturday, 21^st December 1833, his wife Mary Ann (nee Pasmore), survived him by a further thirty years.

The Sydney Gazette & New South Wales Advertiser, Tuesday 24^th December 1833, page 3.

DIED, At Clairville, on Saturday last, JOHN STEPHEN, Esq., late Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. The funeral of this respected gentleman is intended to be public, and will take place on Thursday next.”

The SydneyMonitor, NSW, Wednesday 25^th December 1833, page 2.

THE LATE JUDGE STEPHEN.

Mr Justice Stephen endeared himself to the people of New South Wales, by his unflinching consistent integrity, in irving times.When the public press was assailed, he ever stood up for its independence. His views of the law were in its favour, and he did not shrink from expressing his views, in the worst of times; and when his office depended, in a measure, on his silence. When the Editors were under prosecution, and demanded a common Jury, according to the common law, under the plea, that the Act of Parliament could not set aside the common Law and natural justice, by its not permitting the prosecutor (Darling) to appoint the Jury. Judge Stephen was the only Judge who maintained the inviolability of this axiom of common sense and common justice.”

The Australian, Sydney, NSW, Friday 27^th December 1833, page 2.

“Funeral of John Stephen, Esq. Late Judge of the Supreme Court.

The body of the above respected individual was brought ito town, from his country house at Clareville, accompanied by some members of his family, at 1 o’clock yesterday morning, and deposited in St. James’ Church, preparatory to its being interred in the new burying ground. About half past seven o’clock the gentlemen who attended the funderal having previously assembled in the Court House were summoned by the tolling of the bell into St. James’s Church, where the Rev. Mr. Hill read the first portion of the funderal service:- Precisely at eight o’clock the procession began to move in the following order. The Band of the 4^th regiment, playing the Masonic March of Burn’s Fare-well. Members of the bar, two and two. A number of Civil Officers, Magistrates, Merchants, and private friends of the deceased followed. The procession was closed by about twenty carriages. The procession moved along George street, followed by a very considerable crowd, the band playing until they reached the burying ground.- On arriving there the Body was taken from the Hearse and carried to the grave by six of the Masonic Brethren, who were desirious of performing this last sad ceremony themselves. The funeral service having been read and the body lowered into the grave, the members of the Masonic Lodges proceeded to perform the ceremonies of their order, in compliance with a wish, expressed by the deceased a short time before his death, of being buried with the honours bestowed upon its members, by an institution to which he had in earlier life been attached. From the church to the grave, the procession was accompanied by a numerous concourse of spectators, who thus testified the respect with which the character of the deceased was held in the public estimation.”

Two and a half months after the reports of this windows creation, Ferguson & Urie stained glass artist and partner, John Lamb Lyon, prepared the final stages for his move to Sydney to start the Lyon & Cottier stained glass firm. On the 27th August 1873 advertisements appear in the Melbourne tabloids for the sale of his Dudley Street cottage and furnishings. On the 29th of August 1873 the Govt Gazette published the official dissolution of his partnership with Ferguson & Urie.

Biography:

John Stephen (1771-1833). (first puisne judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales).

Sir Alfred Stephen (1802-1894). (son of Judge John Stephen)

Other references:

The Sydney Morning Herald, NSW, Thursday 12^th June 1873, page 5.
Queanbeyan Age, NSW, Thursday 19th June 1873, page 4.
The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser, NSW, Thursday 12th June 1873, page 3.
The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser, Saturday 14th June 1873, page 753.

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Mar 4 2012

01-11-1921: The Lady Edith Fergusson memorial window at St. Andrew’s Church, Walkerville, South Australia.

The Register, Adelaide, Tuesday 1^st November 1921, page 4.

“Fifty years ago, on October 28, 1871, there passed away the saintly and beautiful spirit of Lady Edith Fergusson, wife of the Governor of that name. She died at Glanville Hall, Semaphore, whither she had been taken for sea air. It was then owned and occupied by Capt. The Hon. John Hart, C.M.G., and now belongs to Mr. Magnus Waid. Lady Edith rests in the North Road Cemetery. The earliest painted window in St. Andrew’s, Walkerville, was raised to her memory in 1873. Mr. and Mrs. H. Kent Hughes presented the glass which was the work of Messrs. Urie & Ferguson, Melbourne. The woodwork was the gift of the congregation, and was designed by Mr. Woods, at that time architect of St. Peter’s Cathedral. A memorial window to Lady Edith is in the Cathedral itself. Lady Edith’s maiden name was Ramsay. Her father, the Marquis of Dalhousie, was Viceroy of India […]”

The remainder of the article is quite lengthy and describes many other historical events and information but not relevant to Ferguson & Urie.

Related posts: 22-10-1872 > 02-11-1872 > 08-01-1873 > 01-11-1921

Mar 2 2012

26-07-1872: Memorial Congregational, Elizabeth and Brisbane streets, Hobart, Tasmania.

The foundation stone of the Memorial Independent Church was laid on the corner of Elizabeth and Brisbane streets in Hobart by Henry Hopkins (1787-1870) on the 16^th August 1870 [1] and was formally opened on Thursday 7^th November 1872 [2].

In late July 1872 the stained glass windows for the church had arrived from the Ferguson, Urie, and Lyon stained glass company of Melbourne[3] and were promptly erected. A further two “variegated pattern” windows were expected to arrive by the Southern Cross from Victoria on the 4^th of August 1872[4].

Photos taken 8^th October 2010.

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The Memorial Independent church was built in the decorated gothic style to the designs of the architect Francis Butler (1823-1916) and erected by the contractors ‘R & R Shield’ who tendered for the construction at a cost of £6,835.

The laying of the foundation stone by Henry Hopkins was one of his last public events. The 16^th of August 1870 also marked his 83^rd birthday and he died five weeks later on the 27^th September 1870 [5].

Preceding his laying of the foundation stone of the church the usual affair of placing a time capsule beneath the stone occurred and;

“…A zinc box containing copies of The Mercury, Tasmanian Times, Tasmanian Independent, Friend, and other journals, various coins of the realm, photographs of the old and proposed new church, and cartes de viste of the Rev. F. Miller, H. Hopkins, Esq., the late Mrs. Hopkins, and the Rev. W. C. Robinson. The zinc box was hermetically sealed, and laid in the cist beneath the memorial stone…” [6]

Also included in the box was the speech read by the Rev. W. C. Robinson, after which the elderly Henry Hopkins was assisted to the platform from his nearby carriage and seated on a chair where he was then presented with;

“…A beautiful box made of Tasmanian light wood, by Mr. Wooley, of Macquarie-street, containing a handsome silver trowel, manufactured and presented by Mr. C. Gaylor, of Liverpool-street, and a mallet, made of coloured myrtle wood, with ivory handle, the work of Mr. Haywood, of Goulburn-street, was then presented to Mr. Hopkins. The silver trowel bore the following inscription: “Presented by Charles Gaylor to the congregation of the Memorial Church, Hobart Town, on the occasion of laying the foundation stone, by Henry Hopkins, August 16th, 1870.” On the lid of the box was a photograph of the proposed edifice. Mr. Shields, the contractor, having had the memorial stone raised about three feet, the mortar was spread, the box containing the records, deeds, &c., placed in the cist, and the stone was slowly lowered to its permanent position. Mr. Hopkins, after giving the stone two or three knocks with the trowel, said: “I declare this foundation stone laid in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and may the blessing of God attend the labours of all concerned in it. Forty years ago I had the privilege of introducing the first Independent minister to this colony, and thirty years since I was the means of the introduction of the first Independent minister into Victoria. Two months ago I had the privilege of laying the foundation stone of the new Wesleyan Church in Davey-street, and now I am called upon to lay the foundation stone of the Memorial Church, which stone bears the name of the Rev Frederick Miller, who arrived in this place forty years ago. He was a man of piety and energy and he felt a great love for the people, and for every cause that had for its object the glory of god and the good of his fellow man. I rejoice in having the opportunity of laying this stone; and may the blessing of God attend the labours of all those who shall be engaged in this building.” The following is the inscription engraved on the brass plate which is let into the stone:- “Memorial Congregational Church, the first Christian Church formed in the Australias upon Independent principles; the Rev. F. Miller, pastor, A.D. 1830 to the year 1862. This stone was laid by Henry Hopkins, Esq., 16^th August 1870.” [7]

The church was to be known as the ‘Memorial Congregational Church’ in memory of the first Independent or Congregational minister, the Reverend Frederick Miller (1806-1862), who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land in 1830 and commenced his ministry on the 17^th of October in the same year. The very first chapel on the site was funded solely by him at a cost of £500 and opened on the 20^th April 1832[8]. He died on the 13^th in October 1862 aged 56 [9].

Since 2006 the Memorial Congregational church has been the Seventh Day Adventist & Multicultural Church.

Significant tabloid transcriptions about the windows:

The Mercury, Hobart, Tasmania, Friday 26th July 1872, page 2,

“THE MEMORIAL CHURCH – The whole of the windows for the Memorial Church having arrived from Melbourne, with the exception of the transept windows, the contractors are busy fitting them in, so that the internal work of the building may be proceeded with as soon as possible. The large front window is completed. It is of stained glass, beautifully designed and ornamented, bearing the inscription in the lower panes, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” There will be four windows on each side, some of them with a quarter-foil over the two side lights, and others with cinque-foil and six-foil, while the borders will be of different colours, blue, yellow, purple, or green. There will be two vestry windows with blue borders, three apse windows with yellow borders, and a large number of small windows, the colours of the borders in each instance being varied. The whole of the windows, except the front and transept, which are stained, are of cathedral glass; and the makers, Messrs. Fergusson[sic], Urie, and Lyon, of Melbourne, have eminently sustained the name which they have already obtained in these colonies as stained glass manufacturers. The large window in the gable is a piece of work which shows the remarkable progress which has been made in this art during the last few years in Victoria.”

The Launceston Examiner, Saturday 3rd August 1872, page 5.

“…The stained glass windows, so far as they go, give the building a picturesque appearance; two more windows have to be supplied, and they are expected to arrive by the Southern Cross tomorrow, from the establishment of Messrs. Ferguson, Urie, and Lyon, Curzon-street, Melbourne. The pattern, variegated and blending colors of the glass are of an artistic description, and in due proportion with the general coup d’oeil of the interior of the building…”

The Mercury, Hobart, Tasmania, Saturday 10th August 1872, page 3.

“The Memorial Church, at the corner of Elizabeth and Brisbane-streets, is in an advanced state toward completion, and some idea can now be realised of the very elegant appearance the church will present when it is entirely finished. While externally it will have the semblance of a magnificent building, internally its appearance will be fully compatible with the outside. The embellishments are of a rich chaste character, consistent with the beautiful design of the building. The roof and the gallery are finished. The windows are also in. The front and transept windows are of stained glass, beautifully designed and ornamented, while the remainder of the windows, which are of cathedral glass, are improved by borders of various colours. The makers, Messrs. Ferguson, Urie, and Lyon, of Melbourne, have eminently sustained the name which they have already obtained in these colonies as stained glass manufacturers. The church, it is anticipated, will be opened as soon after its completion as possible.”

External links:

Biography: Henry Hopkins (1787-1870)

State Library Vic: A Sermon occasioned by the death of Mr. Henry Hopkins, Rev George Clarke, 9 Oct 1870.

Biography: Rev Frederick Miller (1806-1862)

Biography: Rev George Clarke (1823-1913)

Footnotes:

[1] The Mercury, Hobart, Tas, Wednesday 17th August 1870, page 3.

[2] The Mercury, Hobart, Tas, Tuesday 5^th November 1872, page 1s.

[3] The Mercury, Hobart, Tasmania, Friday 26th July 1872, page 2

[4] The Launceston Examiner, Saturday 3rd August 1872, page 5.

[5] The Mercury, Hobart, Tas, Wednesday 28^th September 1870, page 2.

[6] The Mercury, Hobart, Tas, Wednesday 17th August 1870, page 3.