History

The Gothic Revival was one of the most enduring and influential architectural movements of the 19th century. Based upon a revival of medieval architecture, especially that of England and France, it passed through successive phases and influenced most building types. Coming to Canada from Great Britain in the early 19th century, in its earliest phase it was largely a picturesque style characterized by applied delicate ornament. The English author and architect A. W. Pugin (1812-1852) was very influential in giving both a sense of moral purpose to the Gothic Revival and a better understanding of Gothic detailing and structural systems. The English writer John Ruskin (1819-1900) encouraged a widened range of sources for the style, such as Venetian Gothic architecture. The style as used towards the end of the century is frequently referred to as High Victorian Gothic. Its evolution into the 20th century is described in the section on Late Gothic Revival.