Joseph Connolly

Joseph Connolly (1840–1904) was an Irish Canadian architect, born in Limerick, Ireland. He trained as an architect under James Joseph McCarthy in his native Ireland before coming to North America. Connolly specialized in Gothic Revival architecture. He is known for the churches he designed throughout Ontario, mainly for the Irish Roman Catholic community, though he also produced some industrial and residential buildings.

Biography

After completing training with James Joseph McCarthy, the 'Irish Pugin', Joseph Connolly advanced to become McCarthy's chief assistant in the 1860s and subsequently went on a study tour through Europe. He started a practice in Dublin in 1871, but moved shortly after to Toronto where he partnered with surveyor Darrin Martin, an association that lasted until 1877. From the 1880s, he worked with Arthur W. Holmes. Joseph Connolly died of bronchial asthma in 1904.

Style

Though he also designed secular buildings, Connolly is known for his Gothic Revival churches. He emulated J.J. McCarthy and George Ashlin, the most successful Roman Catholic church architects in Ireland during Connolly's formative years. His work bears some similarities to his contemporaries in Ireland such as William Hague.

Works Church Name Location Year Completed ImageSt. John the Evangelist ChurchArthur, Ontario1874. St. John the Evangelist Church 75px Church of the Immaculate Conception Formosa, Ontario 1875. Church of the Immaculate Conception 75px St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church Hamilton, Ontario 1875. St Patrick Catholic Church, Hamilton - Exterior 75px James Street Baptist ChurchHamilton, Ontario1879. James Street Baptist Church 75px St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica London, Ontario 1877-1926St Peters Basilica St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church Toronto, Ontario1881-1905St. Mary's Church, Toronto St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan1881. St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral St. Patrick's ChurchKinkora, Ontario1882. St Patrick's Church St. Basil's Church addition Toronto, Ontario1886. St. Basil's Church, Toronto St. Joseph's ChurchChatham, Ontario1886 St. Joseph's Church, Chatham St. Mary's Cathedral enlargement Kingston, Ontario1889 St. Mary's Cathedral, Kingston Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church Kemptville, Ontario1889 St. Paul's BasilicaToronto, Ontario1889St. Paul's Basilica, Toronto St. Michael's Cathedral redecoration and alterationsToronto, Ontario1890 St. Michael's Cathedral (Toronto) St. Paul's ChurchDornoch, Ontario1890. St. Paul Church - Dornoch St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic ChurchGananoque, Ontario1891. St. John's Catholic Church, Town of Gananoque St. Gregory the Great Roman Catholic ChurchPicton, Ontario1892