Quick Facts
Biography
William Coverdale (1801 – September 28, 1865) was an English-born carpenter and architect in Canada West.
The son of Christopher Coverdale, he came to Kingston, Upper Canada around 1833. The family is thought to have come to Lower Canada around 1810. Coverdale married Catherine Delmage and had five children. He worked as master carpenter on the construction of Kingston Penitentiary. In 1859, Coverdale became architect for the construction of the Kingston Asylum. He oversaw the construction of Kingston's Town Hall from 1844 and prepared plans for rebuilding of the rear wing after it burned in 1865; the rebuilding was completed by his son William Miles Coverdale.
He drew up plans for several large residences and a number of churches are still in use.
Coverdale died in Kingston in 1865.
Designated heritage buildings associated with Coverdale include:
- Kingston Penitentiary
- Sydenham Street United Church
- Prince George Hotel
- Roselawn National Historic Site of Canada
- Anglican Diocesan Centre in Kingston
- St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church
- Portsmouth Community Correctional Centre
- St. Helen's Complex in Kingston