John E. Belcher

John Edward Belcher (20 February 1834 – 20 August 1915) was an Irish-born Canadian civil engineer and architect. He is most known for his work in Peterborough, Ontario, where he designed many churches, residences and civic buildings which are now local landmarks. Belcher served as president of the Ontario Association of Architects in 1899.

Biography John Edward Belcher was born on 20 February 1834 in Cork, Ireland. He was educated at Queen's College Cork, and articled with his father, Samuel R. Belcher, who was also an architect. Belcher apprenticed with John Benson before emigrating to British North America in 1858.

He built a number of Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian churches in Peterborough and its surrounding area. In 1885, despite being an Anglican, Belcher was appointed diocesan architect by the newly formed Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough. In this role, he expanded and renovated the Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains and built parish churches in Peterborough, Cobourg and Douro.

Belcher married Clementina MacDonald in 1842 and they had four children. He died in Peterborough on 20 August 1915 and is buried in Little Lake Cemetery.

Notable works St. Luke's Church, Ashburnham, Ontario, 1877 (gutted by fire 1959) Morrow Building, Peterborough, Ontario, 1879 St. John the Evangelist Church (chancel and parish hall), Peterborough, Ontario, 1879–82 Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains (sacristy and renovations), Peterborough, Ontario, 1884–85 Market Hall, Peterborough, Ontario, 1889–90 All Saints Church, Peterborough, Ontario, 1890–91 Canadian Bank of Commerce, Peterborough, Ontario, 1892 Pagoda Bridge, Jackson Park, Peterborough, Ontario, 1895 Peterborough Collegiate, 1907 Sacred Heart Church, Peterborough, Ontario, 1907–09 Peterborough Public Library, Peterborough, Ontario, 1910–11, with William Blackwell (now part of Peterborough City Hall)

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