Many Anglicans in the Diocese will know the name Pickett-Scovil, but did you ever wonder who these people were?
In our Diocese, the Pickett-Scovil Memorial Fund, administered by the Anglican Church Women (ACW), assists retired clergy and widow(ers) with dental and medical expenses not covered by medical plans and Medicare.
Elizabeth Scovil, a nurse, started the fund in 1910 with friend and fellow nurse Lucy Vail Pickett, and...
Ben and Deborah Johnson with Ollie, one of their dogs. Luna is pictured in the slideshow below, in the living room.
When Deborah and Ben Johnson purchased their George Street home two and a half years ago, they knew they were purchasing an historically significant building. But until they started peeling the layers back, they probably didn’t realize just how much Fredericton history was contained within those many plastered walls. Included in that history, is a period relevant to the history of Christ Church Cathedral.
But let’s start at the beginning of Ben and Deborah’s story and how they became (in their words), “the caretakers” of this historical property.
Ben and Deborah were living in Starlight Village in Hanwell, when they decided the time had come to build their dream home. The blueprints were finalized and they had purchased the perfect piece of property to start seriously thinking of construction. Knowing that it would be a one or two year project, they decided to look for a downtown, two apartment house that they could live in and rent out while that construction took place. Their real estate agent was given the task of finding that house. And as luck – or fate – would have it, the George Street property was about to go on the market. Even though it clearly wasn’t a two apartment building, Ben and Deborah thought, “This isn’t the one but why not take a look at this beautiful home”. Upon entering the house, just one look at the grand staircase was all it took. And the rest really is history!
The exterior of the house. Interior photos can be seen in the slideshow below.
The current George Street house was constructed facing Church Street in 1840. It was a modest two storey home which grew in 1870, when it’s owner George Frederick Gregory, Judge of the Supreme Court of New Brunswick and Mayor of Fredericton decided to build an addition fronting on George Street. This addition was also two storey and the house increased significantly in size and grandeur. Mayor Gregory and his family lived here until his passing in 1910. In 1912, the property was purchased by Christ Church Cathedral Bishop and Chapter as the Residence for the Most Reverend John Richardson, Archbishop of Fredericton, resided here with his wife, Dora and family until his death. The house was owned by Christ Church Cathedral until 1938. While Richardson family resided here, the third and final addition was added, also fronting on George Street, and this addition was his official office and became known as the Bishop’s Library.
Ben and Deborah believe that it was this addition that really brought the original two houses together architecturally. It is currently listed in the National Historic House Registry specifically for those many architectural details.
The house went on to have several more interesting incarnations. After the death of Bishop Richardson, the house was purchased by Dr. Cowie, a Fredericton family physician. At that time, the hospital was housed just a block or so away on Church Street. Rumour has it that at one time, a tunnel ran from the George Street house to the hospital. But rumour also has it that a tunnel ran from George Street to the Cathedral in the Bishop’s time! Perhaps both Bishop Richardson and Dr. Cowie disliked cold winter walks.
In 1959, the house was sold to UNB and became Murray House, a student residence, and the Bishop’s Library was used as the Common room, quite a change from a Bishop’s office!
In 1982, it was purchased by Sam and Yolande Rubinstein who turned it into “The Very Best Bed and Breakfast’ which thrived as a B&B under their ownership for many years. The Church Street portion was turned into three one-bedroom apartments by the Rubinstein’s and the five bedrooms on the second floor became the guest rooms. Each bedroom had its own electric fireplace and ensuite bath added by the Rubinsteins. During this time, theatre folk performing at Fredericton’s Playhouse were among the many guests.
When the Rubinsteins decided to move to Calgary in 2019 to be nearer their grandchildren, the house changed hands again, this time, the purchasers intended to turn it into an Air BNB. Those plans were thwarted two years later, when despite significant renovation, COVID raged, travel was restricted and the Air BNB business did not thrive.
Original cabinetry in the Bishop's library.
Enter Deborah and Ben in May of 2021. After visiting with them (and with Ollie and Luna, the resident dogs), we feel certain that all past owners would be very content with the current interior design and decoration. We were very pleased to visit when decorating for the Christmas Season was in full swing. Ben and Deborah really do regard themselves as “caretakers of an historic property” and have done all renovations with this in mind. Right down to the removal of five to six layers of asphalt and cedar shingles, preserving plaster walls, repairing crumbling chimneys, updating the kitchen and more, they have been conscious of marrying today’s convenience with an eye to preserving the architectural history of the home.
The Bishop’s Library, as seen below, has had many of the original features restored and highlighted. The bookshelves and cabinetry are original as are the glorious stained glass windows. The fireplace, although not a working fireplace, has had the original interior details restored. We think Bishop Richardson would be more than happy with his office were he to pop by for a visit!
Thank you to Ben and Deborah for sharing their home in this way with the Cathedral Congregation and visitors to our website. We don’t have to wonder what the next incarnation of this fine residence will be. Ben and Deborah already have that worked out! While they love living here and will be sad to leave, their dream home is still calling. But the property will remain in the very caring competent hands of these two. Their plan is to turn it into a “shared living home” where five like-minded women can each rent their own room with private bath while sharing common spaces. They have a list of interested people, but are open to adding to that list if this concept appeals to you!
Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed the pictures and story of one of Fredericton’s loveliest historic properties!
The woodcut piece in the Lady Chapel at Christ Church Cathedral is by New Brunswick artist John Hooper.
English-born artist best known for his polychromed carved wood sculptures, Hooper spent much of his youth in China and served as a captain in the British Army in India in 1944. He was educated at the Royal College of Art and Bournemouth College of Art and studied with sculptor Jacob Epstein. After working at the University of Natal in South Africa from 1956-1962, Hooper moved to New Brunswick where he was hired to establish the art program for Saine John schools. He worked as a teacher for many years before devoting himself fulltime to his art practice in 1974. Hooper was the sculptor of the celebrated bronze figure of Terry Fox that faces Parliament Hill in Ottawa. (from Ar(T)chives: Visual Treasures from the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick - a booklet accompanying the exhibition at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery December 2022-May 2023)
"Archives are more than simply repositories of paper documents, ledgers, and census volumes; they often hold artistic treasures that tell an entirely different story than one containing only the written word. In partnership with the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, we are pleased to present some of the most beautiful and fascinating visual records of New Brunswick (and Canada, for that matter) that you may ever see."
An illustrated booklet, available at the gallery, includes several works featuring Christ Church Cathedral, including architectural designs of the stonework, a pencil sketch showing the Cathedral and the Parish Church, and a watercolour sketch for the Reredos. Visit the exhibit to explore other treasures!
'It Remains for Me to Say', a book containing the memoirs of Archbishop Harold Lee Nutter is available for purchase at the Diocesan Synod Office for $28 (plus postage if required). Drop by the Synod Office upstairs in Memorial Hall, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or email <office at anglican.nb.ca> for details. The book, edited by Archbishop Nutter’s son Andrew (Bruce) Nutter, tells a fascinating story of a long Anglican life.
A description of the book is below.
It Remains for Me to Say
The Memoirs of Archbishop Harold Lee Nutter
edited by his son Andrew with a foreword by David Adams Richards
After he retired the Archbishop recorded his memoirs for the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick in 1992. They have had to be extensively culled but tell a fascinating story of a long Anglican life.
Harold Nutter was born in Welsford and named after his uncle whose name is included on the memorial at Vimy Ridge following his death in the Great War. His mother died of tuberculosis when he was nine. Unlike other boys of his age, interested in hunting and fishing, Harold began studying Greek at the age of twelve. His father, who ran the village grocery store, found his son’s unusual interest difficult to explain to fellow villagers.
In his first year at Mount Allison a devastating fire destroyed the men’s residence just before Christmas in 1941. Harold had been assigned to a top floor room with four other boys, but several days before the fire, the Dean of Residence moved him to another room on the same floor. Sadly, all the boys from that earlier room died understandably leaving Harold to wonder why he should be spared.
Later he was the recipient of five honorary degrees, a member of the Order of Canada, and a social reformer under New Brunswick premier Louis Robichaud. He was offered the Lieutenant Governorship of the province, and a seat in the Senate.
The Archbishop was sounding alarm bells in the later part of his episcopate over the wayward and woke direction of his beloved church. His writings now seem prescient.
"Building on the Past to Sustain the Future: Recommendations and observations from the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals Workroom series (2021) on building reuse for climate action."
It is a great advocacy and communication tool that provides clear information on why old buildings are necessary for fighting climate change. The paper also contains excellent resources should you wish to delve into this topic further.
it takes between 10 and 80 years
Here is just one of many important notes to take away from the green paper:
"[…] it takes between 10 and 80 years for a new building that is 30% more efficient than an average-performing existing building to overcome, through efficient operations, the negative climate change impacts related to the construction process. (Preservation Leadership Forum, 2016)"
We need positive climate action now, not in 10-80 years. The next question also becomes clear... is the lifespan of a new material or building long enough to overcome the negative climate impacts of production and construction (embodied carbon)?
We hope you find the paper thought-provoking and encouraging. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this topic further, please feel free to get in touch.
Since Queen Elizabeth II's death, many people have been reflecting on her life of service to her country, the Commonwealth, and the Church.
The Queen traveled to New Brunswick five times, visiting Christ Church Cathedral during her time in Fredericton. Here are photos of some of those visits.
In 1951, Princess Elizabeth signed the Royal Bible while in the Cathedral. In the photo below, you can see Dean Gray on the left, Bishop Morehead on the right, and Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh behind Bishop Morehead.
Here you can see the signatures written in the Cathedral's Royal Bible.
In this photo, Princess Elizabeth is seen leaving the Cathedral in 1951 with Bishop Morehead.
This National Film Board documentary of the 1951 royal tour shows a brief clip of the royal motorcade passing admirers outside of the Cathedral, and then visiting UNB. Scroll to the 42:10 minute mark.
Queen Elizabeth attended worship in the Cathedral in 1984, while in New Brunswick to celebrate the Bicentennial. She is seen in this photo, with Bishop Nutter wearing the mitre. Behind him is Dean Noseworthy. Prince Philip is standing behind the Queen.
The Government of New Brunswick has prepared a video tribute to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's life and the everlasting legacy she left in New Brunswick.
A provincial commemorative service (Choral Evensong and Memorial) for Her Late Majesty will be held in Christ Church Cathedral at 2:00 p.m. on September 19, 2022.
She led a truly remarkable life.
Rest eternal grant unto her, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon her.
Many Anglicans in the Diocese will know the name Pickett-Scovil, but did you ever wonder who these people were?
