Corpus of Percy Bacon & Brothers

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

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, and was unveiled on 15th December.²

On top of the tomb is the recumbent figure of Bishop John Medley carved from white marble lying on a table of black Devonshire marble, and 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. Carved on the beveled edge of the gray slab is the following inscription: 'Johs. Medley, S. T. P. , episc. primus diocesis, aedisque hujus fundator, proviniae Canadae Metropolitae. Ob. Sept. 9, 1892.'

The article in the Daily Sun, St. John, reports an interesting episode relating to the manufacture of the tomb, as well as a rare snippet into Percy Bacon's early life.² It seems the order for the tomb had been placed with Percy Bacon & Brothers prior to the cathedral committee deciding on the cost. It was felt that the funds allocated would not permit them to order a tomb and monument of, "First class material throughout" and therefore the committee had to select materials in accordance with the available funds. It was here that the then incumbent of Christ Church. Bishop Kingdon intervened. The article reported that early in Bishop Kingdon's life he had known Percy Bacon who was then just a young boy. Kingdon had noted Bacon's latent talents as an artist which led him into taking a lively interest in his education. The article stated; "In fact, it was through Bishop Kingdon's generosity that young Bacon's latent talent was developed." Percy Bacon was to repay the bishop's generosity by spending more on the tomb without increasing the cost to the church. He wrote a letter confirming such:

Principal's Studio and Office,
11 Newman Street, London, W.

April 18th, 1895.

Right Rev. The Lord Bishop of Fredericton:

My Dear Lord, We have your letter of April 8th, ordering the tomb. We have reconsidered the whole matter with Mr Geldart, and as as our interest on your account is no ordinary one we have decided to spend considerably more money upon the work without increasing the cost to the committee.

   The work will be done therefore as under:

Effigy in white Carara statutary marble instead of stone No. 13. The slab in dark grey granite. The tomb in stone No. 13, with such proportions in coloured marble, and the heraldry as well as being carved will be coloured and gilt. We thus hope to make the work worthy of ourselves, of the late bishop, and most of all yourself, the prime mover. We hope to give you cause to be proud of your grateful proteges.
                                                                                                                                          PERCY BACON & BROS.

Bishop Kingdon was appointed curate of St Andrew's Church, Wells Street, MaryleboneSt Andrew's Church, Marylebone before its move to Kingsbury. Percy Bacon was christened in the church in 1870 at the age of nearly 12. PD Image

in 1870,³ the church which Percy Bacon attended as a boy and where he was baptised in October 1872 at the rather late age of nearly 12 years old.⁴ It is highly probable that it was here that Percy Bacon's artistic talents came to the attention of the Rev. Kingdon. The Rev Kingdon was later appointed to the vicarage of Good Easter, Essex, and oversaw the restoration of that church in 1880, plans for which were provided by Ernest Geldart.⁵

The tomb can be viewed on Google Streetview.

Back to top

1. Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Entry for Bishop John Medley.
2. Daily Sun, St. John, 16 December 1896. p2.
3. Nottinghamshire Guardian - Friday 25 February 1870, p8.
4. Family Search website.
5. Report on the restoration of Good Easter Church. Chelmsford Chronicle, 20th August 1880, p5.