Historic Fires of Fredericton

The cornerstone for the new building was laid on October 15, 1845 by Lieutenant Governor Sir William Colebrooke. The service of consecration marking the official opening of the Cathedral would not take place until August 11, 1853, almost eight years later.

The tower of the Cathedral was the last major part to be constructed. The original plans called for a twin tower design, but soaring construction costs led to the choice of a single tower. The original design was published in the Illustrated London News in 1849.

On July 3, 1911, lightning struck the south side of the Cathedral and the resulting fire quickly spread into the west gable, roof, tower and steeple. The 170 foot steeple section fell right down onto the church floor. The bells and the new organ were destroyed as well. In the photograph on the left, you can see that the spire is missing and the holes in the roof. Click the picture for a close-up.

It took over a year and $100,000 to rebuild the Cathedral. On August 12, 1912, Bishop Richardson led a rededication service for the restored building. The newly constructed spire rose to 198 feet.

One of the Most Beautiful Church Structures on the Continent a Mass of Ruin -----

Consecrated in 1853 Through the Efforts of the Late Bishop Medley ----

Vast Crowd of Citizens Sorrowfully Watched the Devouring Flames Lick up the Wooden Work of the Structure-----------

The Cost of the Edifice and the Insurance Held--------

Christchurch Cathedral one of Fredericton’s beauty spots and historic structures and one of the most sacred edifices on the continent of America, was struck by lightning about 11 o’clock last night and was almost entirely destroyed by the fire that followed.

The crash came toward the last of one of the most severe electrical storms ever experienced in this section and which lasted for some hours, and followed the disabling of the fire alarm system, which interfered seriously with the handling of the fire. Several thousand people of the city and nearby places watched the progress of the fire, which was one of the most spectacular ever witnessed here and at 9 o’clock this morning firemen were still engaged in fighting the flames.

SAW THE LIGHTNING STRIKE

Mr. J. Alex Thompson and others sitting on Mr. T. Carleton Allen’s veranda, a few hundred feet distance, saw the lightning strike almost immediately over the south entrance to the Cathedral and afterward a bright reflection was seen through the stained glass windows at the southwest corner of the building. Mr. Thompson was rendered speechless for the time being by the shock, but later with others watched carefully and could not see any fire until some time later when the flames broke out and made rapid progress in the western gable.

About the same time other people residing in the area noticed the flames and several ran to fire alarm boxes only to find that the fire alarm system had been put out of business earlier in the night by the storm. Then Chief Rutter of the Fire Department was notified by telephone and the Central Fire Station members of the department and others were soon notified and very soon, the news spread over the town very generally. Finally a tugboat’s crew noticed the fire from the river and they blew the tug’s whistle as an alarm to citizens, while St. Dunstan’s Roman Catholic Church was also rung for several minutes as an additional alarm.

COULDN’T FORCE AN ENTRANCE

The early arrivals endeavored to force an entrance to the Cathedral by breaking the doors in with axes. The big western door is made of such heavy material that it resisted the attacks, but finally in the meantime when hose was laid by the volunteer firefighters and the regular men of the department it soon became apparent that there was no knowledge of the fire at the water pumping station as the pressure was not at fire strength but merely at normal. Then the pumping station engineer had to be notified and in a few minutes there was that excellent fire fighting pressure for which the Fredericton water system has always been known.

One of the first articles contained in the Cathedral and destroyed by the fire was the painting of the Holy Family which was placed over the Southern door and right where the lightning first struck. In a short time the flames had reached the choir section and very soon the bell tower and steeple were afire and while the flames made furious progress in the wood finishings of the building and the bells were melting like lead they slowly chimed out hours of 12:30 and 12:45 o’clock, but that was all.

WOMEN WEPT ON STREET

The crowds which gathered while the fire grew in its fury and extent were deeply affected. Many women wept copiously as they saw the beautiful structure in which they had been baptized and perhaps married, and which they had attended for years, being destroyed by flames that raged fiercely and refused to yield to the attack of the fire department. The firemen under the direction of Chief Rutter and his lieutenants declare that the fire was handled in the only possible way. Others say that the fire could have been so handled that the fire could have been confined to the Western gable.

During the progress of the fire Very Rev. Dean Schofield worked with all his might to save the valuable records and articles of historic value which were within the Cathedral and he succeeded nobly. Many of the valuable records included the diary of the late Metropolitan Bishop Medley remained in tact in the safe in which they were kept. The Bible presented to Cathedral by the late King Edward when he visited here as Prince of Wales fifty years ago was saved with other books and all the records including the weekly record book which was on the table in the vestry were saved.

Turned the Hose on the Dean

While busily engaged about the fire Dean Schofield had occasion to address some firemen who were in charge of one of the lines of hose and made either a remark or suggested something be done in a manner different to the method being pursued and the fireman so far forgot himself and turned the hose on Dean. This morning the fireman apologized to the Dean stating the he did not recognize him or the incident would never have occurred, and the Dean said at noon that he would not make any charges against the fireman in question.

Another Alarm at Noon Today

It was shortly after one o’clock that the spire fell, crashing down without injuring anyone as the firemen and others had remained at a safe distance anticipating its collapse. After the spire fell, the firemen were better able to fight the fire but on account of the double roof on the structure the flames continued to rage for hours and the firemen worked all night and were still busy at 8 o’clock this morning.

At noon today another alarm had to be sent in and the firemen were called out again on account of fire in the heavy pine timbers in the chancel. While the firemen were resuming work on the charred remains of the once magnificent building one of the lines of hose burst. After a few minutes the fire was under control and the all out alarm was sounded.

The Cathedral was erected through the late Bishop Medley. who was metropolitan of Canada, at a cost of $61,600 exclusive of the very generous gifts of various friends. Included in the amount was $5,500 which the Bishop was compelled to pay unexpectedly from his personal resources which at the time were limited and the beautiful structure will always remain, if only in memory as a monument to the self-sacrificing man. The corner stone of the Cathedral was laid on October 15th, 1845; the nave was built in 1847; it was roofed in 1848; 1n 1849 the tower, the transcripts and the chancel were built as high as the roof; in 1851 the spire was put on and in 1852 and 1853 the interior was complete, the Cathedral being consecrated on August 31, 1853.

Estimate of Loss.

Estimates of the loss today reach as high as $100,000, being based the partial destruction of the new $10,000 organ. And also the valuable eastern windows., said to be worth 10,000 alone, and other windows badly damaged.
This afternoon Dean Schofield gave out the official statement of insurance on the building. The insurance amounts to $55,000 and includes policies for $5,000 each in the following companies; Scottish Union and National, Caledonia, Commercial Union, Yorkshire, Union, Guardian, Queen, Norwich Union, Liverpool London and Globe and the Sun. There is also a policy of $5,000 payable to the Bishop and Cathedral Chapter, the premium on which was has been paid for a number of years by Mrs. James F. Robertson of St. John.

Arrangements for Rebuilding

Dean Schofield was asked today as to what action would be taken in regard to rebuilding the Cathedral and stated that he had sent a telegram to Bishop Richardson, who recently went to Winnipeg with his family for a holiday, and that when he had received a reply he would be in a position to make a statement.

In the meantime a meeting of the sidesmen of the Cathedral is being held this afternoon, and on Thursday Dean Schofield will make a report to the executive of the Diocesan Synod, who will be in session at the quarterly meeting of the Synod committees at St. John at that time. Nothing will be done in regard to calling a meeting of the Cathedral Chapter until word is received from Bishop Richardson.

It is likely that the Cathedral congregation will worship at the Parish church on Sunday next and that arrangements will be at an early date to have the Cathedral building roofed over and put in condition temporary use as the floors remain in tact and the seats are not badly damaged.