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 The Bishop's Residence - Charlottetown, PEI Posted by:  T0SHEA
N 46° 14.008 W 063° 07.470
20T E 490400 N 5119995
The Bishop's Residence, also known as "The Bishop's Palace", was for nearly 135 years the residential home to the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlottetown.
Waymark Code: WMQ161
Location: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Date Posted: 11/27/2015
Views: 5
The Bishop's Residence stands alongside St. Dunstan's Basilica, the Cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlottetown. Although the Diocese of Charlottetown was created in 1829, it was not until 1860 that the Bishop resided in Charlottetown. While the stonework on the "Palace" was underway in 1867, it was not until 1875 that the Bishop was able to move into the premises.
Designed by architect John Corbett, the large Italianate and Gothic Revival influenced residence has become a landmark in the area, if only for its sheer size. At the time of its construction the present Basilica had not yet been built, causing the "Palace" to appear even larger in contrast to the relatively smaller wooden St. Dunstan's that stood to its north. It was, in fact, the presence of the large Bishop's Residence which provided the impetus for the construction of the much larger stone Basilica.
Renovated several times through the years, the major one came about as the result of damage caused by the burning of the Basilica in 1913. Architect John Marshall Hunter, who was employed in the reconstruction of the Basilica, was chosen to design the renovations and additions to the Residence, which included the addition of a wing on the rear of the building. This wing housed a convent and staff dining room and kitchen.
In late 2007 the Bishop's Residence was sold to St. Dunstan's University (SDU), according to an article published on October 16, 2007 by The Charlottetown Guardian. The article is reproduced in part below.
It was intended that pastor and parish offices remain in a section of the building once two to three million dollars worth of restoration work is finished by the SDU. The majority of the building was to be occupied by the SDU.
On April 8, 2008 SDU took possession of the residence and began renovations in February of 2009. Renamed SDU Place, the Bishop's Palace was officially reopened October 8, 2009.
SDU PLACE
In the process of the renovations, new heating, electrical, and plumbing systems were installed, as well as all new windows and a new slate roof. Efforts were made to retain the traditional architecture in the parlour, dining room, and hallway of the first floor; otherwise the building was entirely gutted and internally reconfigured.
The building now contains office space and board room for the SDU Board of Governors on the first floor, as well as office space which is being rented to Saint Dunstan’s Basilica Parish. The second floor contains four apartments which are available for rent to retired priests. As well, the third floor contains a similar apartment for retired priests. The third floor also contains two suites and a living area which is being rented by the Basilica parish as living quarters for its Rector and assistant pastor.
The basement contains the mechanical and electrical room, two large multi-purpose rooms, and a storage room for Saint Dunstan’s University archives. All floors in the building are tastefully decorated with pictures and artifacts from Saint Dunstan’s University. Renovations also included construction of a parking lot in both the front and the back of the building.
The building, now renamed SDU Place, was officially opened October 8, 2009.
From SDU 
The Bishop's Residence
DESCRIPTION OF HISTORIC PLACE
The Bishop's Residence, or Palace as it is known as locally, is a large stone Italianate and Gothic Revival influenced residence and rectory located on historic Great George Street. In the past, it has been used not only as a home for the Bishop of the Diocese of Charlottetown, but also as the Diocesan office, a retirement home for priests, a convent and St. Dunstan's Cathedral Basilica rectory. It is located next door to the magnificent St. Dunstan's Cathedral Basilica, a National Historic Site. The designation encompasses the building's exterior and parcel; it does not include the building's interior.
HERITAGE VALUE
The heritage value of the Bishop's Residence lies in its importance to the Roman Catholic community of Prince Edward Island; its attractive Italianate and Gothic Revival influenced architecture; and its role as a landmark in Charlottetown.
The Diocese of Charlottetown, when created in 1829, included Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and the Magdalen Islands. Father Angus Bernard MacEachern (1759-1835) who worked tirelessly tending to the needs of Roman Catholics throughout the Island and the Atlantic Provinces had lobbied for many years to make Charlottetown a separate diocese from the huge Archdiocese of Quebec that included an area from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River. Bishop MacEachern was designated a National Historic Person of Canada in 1968 for his role as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Charlottetown.
It would be many years before the current Bishop's Residence would be constructed. Although the cathedral church of the diocese was in Charlottetown, bishops of the diocese did not live in the city until 1860, when Bishop Peter MacIntyre moved to the capital. He lived in the small wooden Reddin House next door to St. Dunstan's Cathedral for a time.
It was Bishop MacIntyre who initiated the building of the Residence. As early as 1867, he had employed stonecutters for a winter preparing the materials that would be used for a new Episcopal residence when finally, in 1872 construction got underway. The new residence or "palace", as many refer to it as, is almost the same design as the Bishop's residence in Saint John, New Brunswick. When it was constructed, the large stone building stood in stark contrast to the wooden and less elaborate, St. Dunstan's Cathedral next door that had been built in 1843. In fact, the ornate Bishop's Residence influenced the decision to build a far more elaborate cathedral in stone.
The architect of the massive residence was John Corbett. In 1875, the local press reported that the Bishop, who was by now living in the residence, held a dinner to honour those that had worked on the building. During this dinner, the Bishop presented Corbett with a gold watch for his dedicated service as architect. The residence might not have been completely finished at this point judging by an ad that appeared nine years later in the 15 May 1884 edition of the local newspaper, the Daily Examiner. Mr. F. Landry, artist, advertised that his work was done at the Bishop's Residence and since he would be remaining in Charlottetown for a month, he would be taking orders for "painting, graining, paper hanging and kalsomining."
The Bishop's Residence would be renovated a number of times throughout the years. Unfortunately, in 1913 when fire affected the neighbouring St. Dunstan's Basilica, the residence suffered a great deal of damage. The Diocese used this as an opportunity to add a wing on to the rear of the home and redecorate the interior. The architect, John Marshall Hunter, who was working on rebuilding of the Basilica, was chosen to work on the residence as well. Michael Welsh was chosen as the contractor. The new wing would house a convent, as well as the staff dining room and kitchen.
Later in 1924, a large balcony was added to the south side of the residence. Architects, Chappell and Hunter worked on the project, as did contractors, Phillips and Clark.
A beautiful building and a local landmark, the Bishop's Residence is a source of pride to the members of the Diocese of Charlottetown and the City. Situated in an area with a great number of historic buildings and churches, the Bishop's Residence supports the heritage character of the area.
CHARACTER-DEFINING ELEMENTS
The following character-defining elements contribute to the heritage value of the Bishop's Residence:
- The square massing of the building with its three storeys
- The Wallace sandstone exterior with label mouldings, medallions and designs above the windows including quatrefoils
- The style, size and symmetrical placement of the windows particularly the sash windows and the arched dormer windows
- The size and central placement of the Gothic arched front door with its decorative transom light above and huge door surround decorated with quatrefoils, a Gothic arch, and crenellation which imitates battlements
- The hipped roofline accented with eave brackets, roof dormers, and various chimneys
- The Italianate belvedere with Mansard roof and arched windows
- The various additions including the ornate two storey balcony and the large addition on the rear of the building
Other character-defining elements include:
- The location of the building on Great George Street adjacent to St. Dunstan's Cathedral Basilica National Historic Site
From Historic Places Canada
Type of material of the door: Wood
Functional door?: Yes
Location of this door/way: On private property
Is it accessable only by paid admission": No
Style: Gothic
Address or physical location:
45 Great George Street
Charlottetown, PEI
C1A 4K7
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