Stained Glass of Percy Bacon & Brothers

Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.
Photo courtesy of Vascobattuta. PD Image

North Aisle 4; He Shall Feed His Flock, and a young Christ teaching in the temple; 1903, dedicated 1925.

Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton, New Brunswick.
The design is based on St Mary's Church, Snettisham, Norfolk.

Posted 20 June 2025.

The Anglican cathedral at Fredericton was founded by the first Bishop of Fredericton, John Medley in 1845.¹ Medley, who had been a clergyman in Exeter became the diocese's first bishop. Before leaving England for Canada, Medley had engaged architect Frank Willis of Exeter (1822–1857) to make detailed plans for a new cathedral based on St Mary's, Snettisham. Wills emigrated to Canada in 1845 to work on the cathedral, but later moved to New York. The designs modified St Mary's in a number of respects, informed principally by the characteristics promoted by the Ecclesiological Society (who approved the design), such as ensuring the roof of the chancel was the same height as the nave. The designs for Fredericton Cathedral included a north transept and chancel, both of which had been demolished at Snettisham in the 17th century. The cathedral was built between 1845 and 1853, with additional design works for the choir and tower by William Butterfield, and the spire by Medley himself. Further information is available on the Wikipedia page.

Some time after the bishop's death in september 1892 the reverend architect, Ernest Geldart was commissioned to design a tomb for him, which now rests in the south aisle of the cathedral. Geldart naturally turned to his trusted friend Percy Bacon to execute the work. The tomb arrived in Canada in November 1896, but was reported as only to be unveiled on Bishop Medley's birthday in december 1897.²

On top of the tomb is the recumbent figure of Bishop John Medley lying on a black marble table, dressed in his episcopal robes and mitre, a crozier by his side. The sides of the tomb are emblazoned with the arms of the late bishop, the diocese, and an IHC emblem.

The tomb can be viewed on Google Streetview.

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1. Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Entry for Bishop John Medley.
2. Daily Gleaner Wed, 04 Nov 1896, p 4.