PART 2 of 2:

McKean and Fairweather: Architects of the Saint John City Market by Connor DeMerchant.

G. Ernest Fairweather (1850-1920)

George Ernest Fairweather was born on November 7^th, 1850 in Saint John, NB to Edwin Fairweather (c1793-1868) and his second wife Margaret (Fought) Fairweather (1811-1894). From his father’s first marriage, Ernest had three older half-siblings. A younger brother, Edwin, was born in 1855, but died at the age of six months.[1]

Ernest Fairweather received his architectural training from Matthew Stead Sr. (1808-1879), an Englishman who was a prominent architect in the city from the time of his arrival in the early 1840s. Stead designed or altered many public buildings in Saint John, although very few can still be seen today. 

In 1872, Fairweather entered into partnership with John T. C. McKean, which lasted until 1880.[2] Originally located in the Ritchie Building on Princess Street, the offices of McKean & Fairweather later relocated to 61 Charlotte Street. 

In addition to the City Market, and a number of other commercial buildings and private homes, together McKean & Fairweather also designed the Church of the Good Shepherd (designed 1873-4, built 1877) on Manawagonish Road, and the Masonic Temple on Germain Street (1878). They also served as the architectural supervisors during the construction of the Customs House on Water Street. 

Ernest Fairweather had married Augusta Amanda White in September 1876. The marriage produced one child, a daughter, Margaret, born in 1884.[3]

Owing to his successful architectural career, Fairweather became a prominent figure in Saint John's social and civic life. Not only was Fairweather heavily involved in Freemasonry in the city, being a member of Albion Lodge, but the family were also parishioners of St. John’s Anglican (Stone) Church on Carleton Street. In 1921, Mrs. Fairweather donated a missel stand (book rest) to the church in memory of her husband.[4] Ernest Fairweather also took a great interest in the Natural History Society. Following his death, his family donated 861 lantern slides to the Society that Fairweather had hand-tinted himself.[5]

G. Ernest Fairweather died at home at 243 Charlotte Street on December 16^th, 1920 after a lingering illness. He is buried in Fernhill Cemetery.[6] Interestingly, none of the obituaries published in Saint John papers following Fairweather’s death, many of which speak of his contributions to the city’s architecture, mentioned his role in designing the market.[7]

Following her husband’s death, Augusta Fairweather sold the family home and eventually went to live with her daughter in Syracuse, NY. However, she would return to Saint John regularly, taking up residence in various hotels. She died at the Ten Eych Hotel on Union Street in February 1937.[8]

In addition to grandiose homes across the city, many of which still stand today, Fairweather designed the now deconsecrated St. Jude’s Anglican Church on the West Side in the mid-1890s; the Carnegie Building (now the Saint John Arts Centre) which opened in 1904; and the Mortuary Chapel in Fernhill Cemetery (erected 1911), among many others. Outside of Saint John he can be credited with the late Greek Revival architecture of the L. P. Fisher Memorial Library in Woodstock, NB (built 1912-1914). 

Other designs of Fairweather’s which have not survived include Centennial Hall at Mount Allison University (rebuilt 1882 after a fire; burned 1933); the Women’s Christian Temperance Union Memorial Fountain at the head of King Street (dedicated 1883; removed 1963); St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church on Clarendon Street (construction finished 1884; demolished 2022); and the Hampton Consolidated School (opened 1907; burned 1981). 

[1] John B. Carney. In Search of Fayerweather: The Fayerweather Family of Boston. (Boston: The New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1992), 157. 

[2] “J. T. C. McKean Died Yesterday,” Telegraph Journal, 23 October 1911, Pg. 10.

[3] James E. White. A Genealogical History of the Descendants of Peter White, of New Jersey, From 1670. (Saint John: Barnes & Co, 1906), 56. 

[4] “Gifts to Church are Dedicated,” Telegraph Journal, 22 December 1921, Pg. 12.

[5] “Valuable Donation to Natural History,” The St. John Standard, 5 February 1921, Pg. 14. 

[6] Death Certificate – NB Vital Statistics

[7] “G. Ernest Fairweather,” The St. John Standard, 17 December 1920, Pg. 7.

[8] Death Certificate – NB Vital Statistics

Photo courtesy of the New Brunswick Museum - Musée du Nouveau-Brunswick

[We have not yet found a photo of Mr. Fairweather. We would be grateful to whoever can find one!]