This month, Focus on Scugog is straying beyond the boundaries of Scugog Township to introduce our readers to an amazing, unique and historical structure.
Just 20 minutes from downtown Port Perry, and worth the short drive, stands the truly magnificent “Thomas Foster Memorial” - patterned after the Taj Mahal of India.
The name Thomas Foster may have faded quickly after his death, despite serving as Mayor of Toronto from 1925-28, had he not built this impressive monument, just north of Uxbridge, as a memorial to his wife and deceased daughter.
Thomas Foster was born near Leaskdale, Ont. in 1852, and moved to Toronto when he was a young man to follow in his father’s footsteps as a butcher.
The interior of the Thomas Foster Memorial is rich in terrazzo, marble mosaics and columns. Above is the view that greets visitors entering through the large front doors.
Over the years, through hard work in his butcher business, but more by investing in real estate, he amassed a large fortune.
After serving three years as Mayor of Toronto, he set out to explore the world. Throughout the early 1930s he travelled the globe, taking in China, Egypt, India, Palestine and Japan. It was during these travels that he fell in love with the Taj Mahal in India.
Unhappy with the jungle-like condition of the small cemetery north of Uxbridge where his parents were buried, Mr. Foster decided to build a memorial for his family. Using the Taj Mahal as his inspiration, he hired two respected architects, James Craig and H.H. Madill to design the memorial.
When completed, the Foster Memorial was said to be one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture erected on the North American continent. It is estimated that the building, which cost more than $200,000 to build in 1936, would cost more than $5 million to build today.
The Foster Memorial was dedicated at a special service in the temple on October 25, 1936 when Mr. Foster was 84 years of age. He passed away in 1945 at the age of 93, leaving no family to inherit his estate.
One of the mosaic columns which support the dome.
Following is a partial description of the building taken from “The Thomas Foster Memorial” pamphlet, which was printed on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the building in 1936:
The structure is 55’ in width and 60’ in length and is built up in stages of vertical wall, semi dome drum and a great central dome to a height of 60‘. The inside diameter of the central dome is 23 feet and is pierced by 12 stained glass, leaded windows, that in the east are in the form of a gold cross on a rich blue background. Circling the lower part of the dome, above the great arches in gold lettering on a field of graded blue mosaic, is the inscription: Take this my body for it is done and I have gained a new life, glorious and eternal.”
Facing west, towards the main entrance, the portico rests atop three arches which are supported by monolithic columns, all enriched with incised carvings.
Weighted buttresses capped with bronze, reinforce the flanks of the portico. The roof surfaces are of copper tile, chemically treated to produce a permanent green surface. The entrance doors, window tracery and all metal parts are of bronze. The windows, the work of Yvonne Williams, are of hand-painted, fired and leaded glass, the colours and designs are harmonious and are distributed so as to flood the interior with soft, colourful light.
A sweeping marble arch greets visitors at the front entrance, and beyond that, the domed ceiling looms overhead with its intricate mosaics.
The floors are rich coloured terrazzo and marble mosaics, wrought in symbolic designs. Upon entering, one crosses the River of Death, on which floats water lilies and lily pads.
There are 16 marble columns, four to each screen supporting three arches with pierced marble tympanum above. The columns are vari-coloured Italian marbles with carved Devon stone capitals.
The southern transept contains three family sarcophagi, containing the remains of Thomas Foster, his wife and their daughter.
For many years after the death of Thomas Foster, the mausoleum was left in the hands of a trust to maintain and oversee the building.
After years of neglect, and poor maintenance, considerable damage occurred to the exterior and interior of the building. Fortunately, the care and stewardship of the memorial was taken over by the Township of Uxbridge, and work has already begun on restoration of this unique building.
The Foster Memorial is reported to be the only building of its kind on the North American continent.
For a unique experience enjoy “Fridays At The Foster” concerts. The concerts begin every Friday night at 7:30 p.m. and run weekly until the end of October. A donation at the door is all that is required.
The memorial also provides public tours throughout the summer. Tours take place the first two Sundays of each month - June to September from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Proceeds from a small admission fee are used for the ongoing restoration and maintenance of the temple.
A simple marble pulpit flanked by marble pillars.
Weddings can be booked at this very unique and beautiful Byzantine building by calling 905-852-6761.
The Thomas Foster Memorial is located at 9449 Conc. 7 (Durham 1), 4 km north of Uxbridge. For more information and a full schedule of activities, visit the memorial’s website at www.fostermemorial.com
Photos by J. Peter Hvidsten
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