Parkes Presbyterian Church First and Second World War Memorial Window

The Parkes Presbyterian Church, originally known as St Andrew's Church, houses a magnificent stained glass memorial window which contains the names of 23 veterans. It was originally dedicated to sixteen members from the parish who fell in the First World War. At a later date, seven names of those who fell in the Second World War were added to the window.  

The large window is Gothic shaped and divided into three sections. The phrase 'Pro Deo et Patria' (For God and Country) is inscribed across the top of the window.  The centre panel contains a cross with a wreath and each side panel shows a crossed Union Jack and Australian flag above the veteran names. The dedication at the bottom of the middle panel refers to the soldiers of the parish who fell in the Great War 1914-1918, with the dates 1939 and 1945 relating to the Second World War added later.

With the building of a new church, the Parkes Presbyterian Parish decided to install a large memorial window at the end of the nave behind the pulpit, with the names of those who had died in the First World War. It was to cost £60 and was to be designed and prepared by Brooks, Robinson Ltd. of Melbourne (Western Champion, 24 December 1918).

The church was opened on 22 May 1919 by Reverend W Fisher Craigie, the Moderator of the Orange Presbytery, in front of a large congregation including several visiting clergymen from the district. The Reverend A M Ferrie offered a prayer of invocation, followed by the unveiling of the memorial window by Reverend H R Grassick (Western Champion, 22 May 1919).