The Governor-General, Lord Forster, unveiled a memorial window in the Castlemaine Methodist Church on 19 March 1925. Lord Forster had been a member of the war council and during the ceremony he praised the work 'of the Dominions in the war'. The window was consecrated by the Rev. W. Harris, president of the Methodist Conference. It is unlikely that these two august gentleman would have been invited to attend a ceremony for any less prestigious installation than the multi-light window in the west wall. The amalgamation of congregations saw the window relocated to the narthex of the Castlemaine Uniting (formerly Presbyterian) Church.
The window, ordered by Jas. Wilson of Castlemaine was designed by William Wheildon at Brooks, Robinson & Co., with cartoonsdrawnupby George Dancey,(see the same design of The Ascension in Christ Church, Castlemaine). Themain scene, Chrsit's Ascension, was containedin the tall central panel.The two flanking diamond quarry lights contained emblems: the Anchor of Hope and the Dove of Peace, that might also be read as representing the Navy and fledgling Air Force. Palm and Crown filled theapex of the tracery, with the Alpha and Omega, symbols of the beginning and end, at either side.
The names of the Methodist men from the Castlemaine district were listed on the window: Bartle, T.W. Carter, V.C. Cleaves, A. Ellis, W.C. Freeman, D. LdeC. Handson, J.F. Peart, E. Sheridan, R.A. Spowart, O.J. Thomas, H.
References & Acknowledgements
Argus, 20 March 1925, p.11; 7 April 1925, p.5; Brooks, Robinson & Co. job books (1923-c1966).
