Canadian Gothic

by Nicole Findlay

A quarter of a century ago, Peter Coffman discovered a passion which provided the foundation for a career.

“I fell in love with architecture when I first laid eyes on Canterbury Cathedral from a train window about 25 years ago,” said Coffman, an architectural historian in the School for Studies in Art and Culture.

It was a trip to Newfoundland that sealed his fate. While touring around on vacation, Coffman was taken by the Anglican Cathedral in St. John’s and the smaller parish churches dotting the province’s villages. His attempt to learn more about Maritime architecture turned up little information.  Undeterred, he decided to write the book himself. It would become his PhD dissertation.

“It seemed like a long-shot, but I realized I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t try.”

After extensive travel, Coffman researched and wrote Newfoundland Gothic. He also tapped into his skills as a professional photographer, shooting all the images that accompany the book.

“There is so much cultural information encoded in churches,” Coffman explained. “So often, in so many cultures, the most impressive building in the community is the temple. They are built to express a world view and recovering that view is incredibly interesting.”

The Anglican Cathedral in St. John’s was designed by the English architect also responsible for London’s Albert Memorial and the hotel adjacent to St. Pancras Station.

In a largely Irish Roman Catholic city, the church he designed for St. John’s stood as a symbol of the power and influence of the English Church and the English nation.

Although heavily influenced by English Victorian architectural theory, Coffman says Canadian gothic architecture also borrowed from homegrown craftsmanship and materials. 

“I don’t think they set out to make something unique. But they couldn’t help it.”