Maher, Michael Whelan

MAHER, Michael Whelan (1830-1905), active in Saint John, N.B. where his name is associated with several projects. Born in Ireland in 1830, he was referred to as Alderman Maher who “made the plans” for a double house for Mr. Collicutt, at St. Patrick Street and Richmond Street, SAINT JOHN, N.B. (Morning Telegraph [Saint John], 2 Oct. 1867, 2). In 1872 he “…designed plans which were implemented by Ezekiel Taylor” for St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic Church, MONCTON, N.B., begun in 1872, and later finished in 1879 (Leo J. Hynes, Moncton‘s Catholic Roots, 1982). This building was replaced by the new church built in 1885 and designed by G.E. Fairweather. In 1882 Maher was described as the Building Inspector for the City of Saint John, and a full set of permits issued by him for new buildings in the city appeared in the Daily Sun [Saint John], 17 May 1882, 3. In 1887 he was called “the architect” of a new residence for C.W. Stewart, Wall Street, Portland, SAINT JOHN, N.B. (Daily Sun [Saint John], 19 May 1887, 3). Maher later died in Saint John, N.B. on 22 February 1905, and a lengthy obituary on his career appeared on the same day in the Saint John Daily Globe, 22 Feb. 1905, 8.