St Michael’s Basilica
Miramichi, 1921


Having started our exploration of Gothic Revival architecture in Ottawa, Toronto, and Ontario, we then made our way into the Altantic provinces: Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia. Today we conclude our virtual exploration of the Altantic provinces with New Brunswick before making our way to Quebec then the Western provinces.

Gothic Revival architecture in New Brunswick, like elsewhere in Canada, became popular in the mid-to-late 19th century, around the 1830s to 1870s. This style drew from medieval European architecture, embracing ornate details, pointed arches, and a sense of verticality. The Gothic Revival style’s dramatic and romantic elements reflected a shift toward idealism and a fascination with history, especially in religious and public buildings.

Key features of Gothic Revival architecture in New Brunswick include:

1. Pointed Arches and Windows: Pointed, lancet-shaped windows and arches are hallmarks of this style. Churches, in particular, feature large stained-glass windows with intricate tracery, which became a defining element in the province.


2. Steeply Pitched Roofs and Tall Spires: Gothic Revival buildings often have steep roofs and spires or pinnacles that draw the eye upward, giving a sense of grandeur and elevation. This is particularly prominent in church architecture, where tall steeples make a dramatic statement against the landscape.


3. Buttresses and Decorative Facades: Many buildings include decorative or structural buttresses to emphasize stability and ornamentation, even if not strictly necessary. In New Brunswick, you can find examples of this in stone churches and civic buildings.


4. Ornamentation and Finials: Gothic Revival architecture often includes elaborate finials, carved stonework, and other decorative details, drawing from medieval Gothic cathedrals. Even smaller residences and public buildings may include Gothic details like arched windows and wooden trim (known as “gingerbread”) around doors and roofs.


5. Wood and Stone Construction: While the style originally used stone, New Brunswick builders frequently adapted Gothic Revival to the local timber resources, creating “Carpenter Gothic” homes and churches. This wooden variant retains the pointed arches, intricate woodwork, and decorative flair but is adapted to the timber frame and clapboard siding commonly found in the region.

Prominent examples of Gothic Revival architecture in New Brunswick are often seen in the province’s churches, such as Christ Church Cathedral in Fredericton. This historic church, completed in 1853, is one of the most notable Gothic Revival structures in Canada, with all the key elements—pointed arches, a steep roof, buttresses, and detailed stained glass. There are also Gothic-inspired civic buildings and private homes across New Brunswick, particularly in cities like Saint John and Fredericton, where the architecture reflects the Victorian fascination with medieval aesthetics and the picturesque movement.


Notre Dame de Lourdes Church
Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish, 1910




Alcorn Manor
Moncton, 1908




St Bernard’s Catholic Church
Moncton, 1891




Sacred Heart Cathedral
Bathurst, 1886




Sainte Therese Davila Church
Robertville, 1884




Anglican Church
Saint John, 1880




Saint Thomas de Memramcook Church
Memramcook, 1855




Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Saint John, 1853




Christ Church Cathedral
Frederickton, 1853




St John’s Anglican Church
Saint-John, 1826




Trinity Church
Kingston Parish, 1789

Holy Redeemer Anglican Church
Spaniards Bay, 1891


Gothic Revival architecture in Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island is a distinct reflection of the broader Gothic Revival movement that swept across Canada during the 19th and early 20th centuries. This style, which took inspiration from medieval Gothic architecture, is characterized by pointed arches, steep gables, decorative tracery, and a general emphasis on verticality, all meant to evoke a sense of grandeur and spiritual elevation.

Newfoundland and Labrador:

In Newfoundland and Labrador, Gothic Revival architecture is most commonly seen in the region’s churches. Many of these were built during the 19th century when there was a wave of religious building projects, particularly in Anglican and Roman Catholic communities. One prominent example is St. John the Baptist Anglican Cathedral in St. John’s, which began construction in 1847. Designed by George Gilbert Scott, an English architect known for his work on Gothic Revival churches, the cathedral features many of the typical elements of the style: pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and lancet windows.

The use of Gothic Revival in Newfoundland was closely tied to its maritime history and the influence of British colonialism. Churches were often built by shipbuilders and craftsmen who applied their skills to woodworking and stone masonry, creating structures that are both functional and artistically detailed. The use of local materials, like wood in many rural churches, gives Newfoundland’s Gothic Revival buildings a unique regional flavor.

Prince Edward Island:

In Prince Edward Island, Gothic Revival architecture also found its primary expression in religious buildings. The Basilica of St. Dunstan in Charlottetown is a striking example. Built between 1896 and 1907 after a fire destroyed the earlier church, it is noted for its twin spires, flying buttresses, and stained-glass windows, all hallmarks of the Gothic Revival style. The basilica is a dominant feature of Charlottetown’s skyline and is considered one of the most significant examples of this architectural style on the island.

Many smaller churches across PEI also adopted Gothic Revival elements, especially in rural communities where the style was seen as a connection to larger, global religious movements. These buildings are often characterized by their wooden construction, steeply pitched roofs, and simple yet elegant design, reflecting the modest resources of the island’s communities at the time.

Significance:

In both provinces, Gothic Revival architecture was a way for communities to express their religious devotion, while also showcasing craftsmanship and regional adaptations of a global architectural style. While larger stone cathedrals are found in major towns and cities, rural areas often feature more modest wooden churches that still retain Gothic elements like pointed windows and detailed woodwork.

This style remains an important part of the architectural heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island, with many Gothic Revival buildings continuing to serve religious and community functions today.


Newfoundland and Labrador

Cathedral of Immaculate Conception
Harbour Grace, 1892




Cathedral of St John the Baptist
St John’s, 1847




Holy Trinity Convent and Chapel
Witless Bay, 1890




Immaculate Conception Church
Cape Broyle, 1947




St Patrick’s Church
Carboneau, 1891




St-Patrick’s Church
St-John’s, 1855




St-Patrick’s Church
Woody Bay, 1875




St-Paul’s Church
Harbour Grace, 1837




St-Peter’s Church
Twillingate, 1845




St-Thonas’s Church
St-John’s, 1836




Prince Edward Island

Gordon Memorial United Church
Alberton, 1857




Immaculate Conception Church
Prince County, 1892




St-Brigid’s Church
Foxley River, 1873




St-Bunstans Basilica
Charlottetown, 1916




St-John’s Presbyterian Church
Belfast, 1824




St-John’s the Baptist Church
Miscouche, 1892




St-Mary’s Roman Catholic Church
Indian River, 1902




St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church
Prince County, 1890




St-Peter’s Cathedral
Charlottetown, 1869




St-Simon St Jude
Tignish, 1860