Deep within Melbourne stands St Stephen’s Anglican Church in Richmond. Its story unfolds like a stained-glass window. Each piece tells a tale of faith, art, and community.
St Stephen’s foundation stone was laid in June 1850. The incomplete church opened its doors in November 1851. The north aisle was erected in 1863 and the west wall rebuilt. This work was designed by Nathaniel Billing. The south aisle and chancel followed in 1876. Finally the choir vestry was added in 1923.
Let’s step back to November 1876. St Stephen’s celebrated its 25th anniversary. Special gifts marked the occasion. Two friends jointly funded the chancel and east window stonework. George Coppin donated the chancel window. The Reverend CT Perks announced a memorial window gifted by an old friend. Ferguson and Urie were entrusted with the work.
Now gaze upon the west window. It commemorates the 25th anniversary 1851-1876. The outer lights display geometric designs. 1851 graces the left. 1876 adorns the right. The center light depicts the Ascension. Below, it reads “HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN” and “IHS”. The window is a gift from John and Mary J Paterson of London. They were married July 26th 1859.
Move to the east five-light window in the chancel. George Selth Coppin donated this masterpiece. St Stephen is in the center light. He is the church’s patron saint. Geometric designs fill the outer lights. Medallions of the four evangelists appear in each. St Matthew is a winged man. St Mark is a winged Lion. St Luke is a winged Bull. St John is an Eagle. Above is a roundel of the Agnes Dei. The Paschal lamb carries St George’s flag. Six lobes of flora surround it and the heavenly Dove sits at the top.
Look towards the south side. A quatrefoil window catches the eye. The holy dove is within a Hexagram or Star of David. Floral designs surround it. On the north side another quatrefoil appears. It depicts a gold crown amidst floral designs.
Consider the story of the Stoning of St Stephen. William Montgomery captured this scene in a two-light window. It was commissioned for St Stephen’s. The Reverend CT Perks likely ordered it. Mary de Rippe Shelley bequeathed 50 pounds. The money was specifically for a stained-glass window.
Completed by November 1887 the window was deemed a very good example of modern glass painting. Montgomery had significant experience. He worked in the mother country and New South Wales. The window depicts St Stephen’s martyrdom. One section shows two men stoning him. The other shows St Stephen kneeling. He prays and meets his death with pious resignation. A rich Gothic canopy surmounts both sections. Montgomery employed antique glass. This created delicate gradations of light and shade.
Let’s not forget Stephen George Henty. He significantly helped build St Stephen’s. A triple light window in the chancel memorializes him. It depicts scenes from Christ’s life. The crucifixion occupies the upper part. The Nativity is below. Ferguson, Urie, and Lyon of Melbourne created the window.
St Stephen’s stands as a testament to faith and art. It honors those who shaped its history. Each window tells a story. Each stone whispers a prayer.