Ferguson and Toye: Architects of Derry and Londonderry

One of the things that struck me whilst researching the architecture of Victorian and Edwardian Belfast was that the majority of important buildings in the city had been designed by a small number of celebrated individuals. In Belfast their names are easily recognised and have been embossed on some of the streets and buildings of the city that they helped to construct. Charles Lanyon, W. J. Barre and W. H. Lynn are celebrated as the most prominent architects of their period who also trained and inspired the next generation of draughtsmen such as Robert Young (of Young & Mackenzie) and Vincent Craig. In Belfast these individuals are recognised as the men who crafted one of Britain's most vibrant and industrious cities. 

In 1992 Brian Mitchell wrote: 'Perhaps the most significant feature of Derry folk is their pride in their native city. They have a lot to be proud of ... if one looks above the ground floor level of the modern shopping facades, the architectural grandeur of Derry is quite striking' (The making of Derry: An economic history). In Derry few are aware that many of our treasured buildings, both within and outside the city walls, were designed by a similarly elite group of individuals who operated contemporary to Lanyon, Barre and Lynn. Over the next few weeks I will be updating this blog with biographies of two of them.

John Guy Ferguson and Edward J. Toye were two of the most prolific architects operating in the city in the late-19th and early-20th century. Their contribution to the architecture of Londonderry permanently transformed the city's skyline and provided a number of  Derry's most recognisable civic, ecclesiastical and commercial structures. Ferguson and Toye operated during a period of remarkable expansion, when the buildings of Derry had broken free from the confines of the 17th century city walls and were marching out in all directions. Both contributed to the development of a local architecture that expressed the heritage of their respective communities. In his dual roles as local architect to the Church of Ireland and Governor of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, Ferguson represented the protestant tradition in the city and accordingly undertook a number of contracts that supported his religious and political background. Toye, by comparison, carried out an enormous amount of work for the Catholic Church, designing not only churches, but also schoolhouses and homes for children and the elderly. As a former pupil of Ferguson, Toye employed the expertise of his mentor to bring a new confidence and variety to catholic architecture in the city.

Of course there were other eminent local architects who deserve mention. Alfred Arthur Forman's short time in Derry gave the city the Northern Counties Hotel, the Northern Counties Club and Carlisle Road Methodist Church. Following two separate fires, Matthew Alexander Robinson raised up Austin's Department Store (1906) and the Guildhall (1909-12), two of Derry's most beloved Edwardian buildings, from the ashes. But I want to focus on Ferguson and Toye as I believe they were unique amongst their contemporaries, not only due to their remarkable output, but also because of the architectural legacy that they, in particular, left behind.

John Guy Ferguson

Edward J. Toye