“There is probably no portion of a well appointed church that will strike the eye or cause pleasure sooner than a stained glass window, with suitable figures painted thereon.” – The Advocate, Melbourne, 1888.
This weblog is an offshoot of my family history project surrounding the historical stained glass windows created by the colonial Victorian stained glass firm, “Ferguson & Urie 1853-1899.”
My research on Ferguson & Urie stained glass has revealed many fabulous newspaper articles about stained glass windows created by other artists and studios that are just too good to ignore. Whilst I have tried to remain focused on my research of the Ferguson & Urie Company, I have eventually conceded that I should at least pair any historic newspaper articles I come across with any photos I may have taken of these historic stained glass windows.
The quality and craftsmanship of the stained glass varies greatly between artists and studios. Your own taste will determine what you think is breathtaking or mediocre. In any case, you have to consider the amount of workmanship that goes into the entire construction of the stained glass windows which is an incredible art form on its own.
This site will serve as my alternate repository of information not directly related to my primary research project of Ferguson & Urie craftsmanship.
There is a wealth of history in our historic stained glass windows. The questions that are never asked are; who made them? Who was the person it is a memorial to? Who was the donor? What is the relevance of the symbolism depicted in the window?
There is a fascinating story behind each window and I invite anyone who has interesting information to contact me via the contacts page.
Regards,
Ray
Stained Glass Australia 
Congratulations Ray on your new “offshoot” site Stained Glass Windows and thanks for sharing your excellent photos together with relative newspaper clippings. The information adds a whole new dimension of understanding to these magnificent windows.
With Best Wishes,
Janice
It’s all fantastic historical stuff Janice. There are a lot of historical connections to some of these stained glass windows to that produced by our Ferguson & Urie company.There is so much I find that cant be ignored.
Enjoy!
Ray
Ray: St Anthony’s Glen Huntly (Vic) is 100 years old. They have a number of Mayer windows from the 1930s or thereabouts, and are trying to trace their history. Ideas welcome!
In early 1950s a Ferguson designed and crafted three stain glass windows for installation at St Luke’s, Bay Street, North Brighton, Victoria. He was encouraged in this endeavour by my father the Revd Bill Johnson who served as a Padre at El Alamein. The windows captured the horror of war and the terror of the opening salvo on the 23rd October 1942 and ultimately the triumph of faith. St Lukes was decommissioned in the seventies (?). Does anybody know where the windows might be stored and where I can obtain information on Ferguson?.
Hi Michael,
I don’t know anything about the window from St Luke’s North Brighton, but hopefully another reader may know something about where it is. I have some detail about John Ferguson on this web site at:
Look for the entry for Ferguson & Papas. This also includes a link to the Sydney Morning Herald (24 Dec 2010) obituary for John Ferguson.
Ray
Thank you Ray.
Following for your records provides what I wanted.
Michael
Victorian Heritage Database Report
Stained Glass Window at North Brighton [now Carrum Downs] St. Luke’s Anglican Church
Carrum Downs St Lukes Anglican
Location
Bay Road [now William Road], North Brighton [now Carrum Downs], BAYSIDE CITY
Municipality
BAYSIDE CITY
Level of significance
For public view
Heritage Listing
Vic. War Heritage Inventory
Architect/Designer Ferguson, John, Ferguson & Papas,
Hermes Number 196940
Property Number
Report generated 12/01/16
Memorial Window References & Acknowledgements
Bronwyn Hughes, Shining Lights, Ethereal Visions; stained glass in Frankston City, Frankston City Council, Frankston, 2011; W. Johnson, ‘War memorial Windows, Church of England Messenger, 26 December 1952, p.413.
Memorial Window Subject
The Holy Family, Crucifixion and Resurrection
Memorial Window Text
n/a
Memorial Window Inscription
n/a
Memorial Window Description & History
John Ferguson (1923-2010) was asked to design the commemorative window so that the subject of the soldier was integrated with the Christian message. The bold and complex result allows the windows to be read symbolically and not only as Holy Family, Crucifixion and the Resurrection but also as a soldier taking leave of his wife and child, his death in battle and hisvictory over death. Although this was a very early commission for John Ferguson and his partner Nick Papas (b.1920-), it heralded and exemplified their commitment to producing stained glass for the modern world. The war memorial window was dedicated by the Right Reverend JD McKie on Sunday 16 November 1952. St. Luke’s was closed in 1991 and the building converted into apartment. The windows were gifted to the newly built church of the same name at Carrum Downs in 1992.
This place/object may be included in the Victorian Heritage Register pursuant to the Heritage Act 1995. Check the Victorian Heritage Database, selecting ‘Heritage Victoria’ as the place data owner.
For further details about Heritage Overlay places, contact the relevant local council or go to Planning Schemes
Michael, I believe these three windows are now in the (named after the Brighton church that I remember, being a local) St Lukes Carrum Downs church that was built 20-25 years ago, hence it being named St Lukes.
It’s in William Rd, off Frankston-Dandenong Rd.
Yes.
I included a photo of the windows as re-installed at Carrum in my narrative ‘Alamein – Their Song Shall Live.
Thank you.
Great job
Ray, have been able to establish whether John Ferguson’S father Nelson might have been a descendant of James Ferguson of Ferguson & Urie? It seems interesting that a family with the same name end up in such a similar trade.
I am a descendant of James Urie. My great grandfather was William Urie
Hi Sally, I had contemplated years ago that there may have been some family history connection to John Ferguson’s ancestry to the Ferguson & Urie stained glass company line via my 3rd Gt Grandfather James Ferguson. Every angle I looked at unfortunately provided no remote link at all. Just purely coincidental with the surname Ferguson – Ray
Ps: Sally, on another note, I should point out that my suspicions of a family link between your families “Urie’s” between James Ferguson & James Urie of the Ferguson & Urie stained glass company North Melbourne are getting closer. See my article on that one here: https://wp.me/p28nLD-37O
– Ray
Thanks Ray Sent from my Galaxy
Ray,I am not sure if you have seen these maps of Kilarnock that detail the property owners. There is a house in Glencairn St in the lower part of the town marked Ferguson & Urie.I have attached the map &Â blow up of the street.Sally Aiyelokun (nee Urie)Sent from my Galaxy
Hi Sally, is the map the same one I have in this post? https://wp.me/p28nLD-37O ?
Ray