HISTORY
CHURCHES
CHURCHES
ROMAN CATHOLIC
by Gail Hussey-Weir
Created October 2022
by Gail Hussey-Weir
Created October 2022
Timeline of Roman Catholic Churches on Bell Island
In the 1794-95 Census for Bell Island, of the population of 87, there were 54 Protestants and 33 Roman Catholics. By 1836, the population was 359, with 257 Roman Catholics and 102 Protestant Episcopalians.
1875: A small Roman Catholic Mission Chapel was built on the site of the present-day St. Michael's Regional High School. At the time, Bell Isle, as well as Topsail and Torbay, were part of the Holy Rosary Parish of Portugal Cove. The first resident priest of St. Michael's Parish, Bell Isle, was Rev. Richard Dunphy, 1875-1880.
In 1896, the first version of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church and Presbytery were built on the site of the present day St. Michael's Regional High School. Father James J. McGrath began visiting Bell Island to minister to Roman Catholic residents in 1893 and was transferred there from Villa Nova, Topsail, in November 1896.
At the end of September, 1905, the new St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church was nearing completion. The former St. Michael's had been built in 1896 and added to in 1900. The new church was on the same site. In July 1906, when I.C. Morris, a contributor to The Daily News, visited Bell Island, he noted that the Roman Catholics had just completed a large and roomy church (St. Michael's), where the aisles were laid in mosaics.
On September 25, 1909, the new Roman Catholic church of St. Peter's was opened at The Mines (The Green) "for the convenience of the miners." This church served the congregation living in "The Mines area" until 1938, when the basement church dedicated to St. James the Apostle was opened on Town Square. St. Peter's Church and Hall are believed to have burnt down in the late 1940s.
In the Fall of 1911, the Roman Catholic priest, Father McGrath, installed an acetylene lighting plant in St. Michael's Church at The Front, Bell Island. (Merchants J.B Martin and J.C. Stewart also had them in their stores.) These were the first recorded instances of domestic and commercial lighting by other means than kerosene lamps on Bell Island.
In 1914, a new Roman Catholic Presbytery was built at The Front.
On October 21, 1923, the new Roman Catholic Cemetery just west of The Beach Hill was consecrated.
In the 1935 Census, Bell Island's population was 6,160. Religious denominations were:
Roman Catholic=3,171; Church of England (Anglican)=2,092; United Church=521; Salvation Army=345; Presbyterians=21; Others=10 [would have included Jewish].
On May 1, 1938, the Roman Catholic "basement" church dedicated to St. James the Apostle was officially opened on Town Square. It replaced St. Peter's Church that had been opened on The Green in 1909.
In the mid-1940s, Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church was built at Lance Cove.
In September 1954, the dedication took place for the Immaculate Conception Church, which was built over St. James RC Church on Town Square.
On December 13, 1969, the Immaculate Conception Church on Town Square, along with the school and convent, were destroyed by fire.
In 1972, the new Immaculate Conception Church was opened on Town Square. Other RC churches on Bell Island closed due to declining population after the mines closed in 1966.
In August 1983, St. Michael's RC Church at The Front was torn down because of structural weakness. Immaculate Conception Church on Town Square then became the titular parish church and was renamed St. Michael's.
In July 2022, the Supreme Court of Newfoundland approved the sale of 43 properties belonging to the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of St. John's to settle claims of abuse victims at Mount Cashel Orphanage in the 1940s to 1960s. St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church on Town Square Bell Island was listed for sale as part of this settlement. As of October 2022, St. Michael's was still operating as the only Roman Catholic Church on Bell Island and was being served by Father Wayne Dohey and Father John Cole.
1875: A small Roman Catholic Mission Chapel was built on the site of the present-day St. Michael's Regional High School. At the time, Bell Isle, as well as Topsail and Torbay, were part of the Holy Rosary Parish of Portugal Cove. The first resident priest of St. Michael's Parish, Bell Isle, was Rev. Richard Dunphy, 1875-1880.
In 1896, the first version of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church and Presbytery were built on the site of the present day St. Michael's Regional High School. Father James J. McGrath began visiting Bell Island to minister to Roman Catholic residents in 1893 and was transferred there from Villa Nova, Topsail, in November 1896.
At the end of September, 1905, the new St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church was nearing completion. The former St. Michael's had been built in 1896 and added to in 1900. The new church was on the same site. In July 1906, when I.C. Morris, a contributor to The Daily News, visited Bell Island, he noted that the Roman Catholics had just completed a large and roomy church (St. Michael's), where the aisles were laid in mosaics.
On September 25, 1909, the new Roman Catholic church of St. Peter's was opened at The Mines (The Green) "for the convenience of the miners." This church served the congregation living in "The Mines area" until 1938, when the basement church dedicated to St. James the Apostle was opened on Town Square. St. Peter's Church and Hall are believed to have burnt down in the late 1940s.
In the Fall of 1911, the Roman Catholic priest, Father McGrath, installed an acetylene lighting plant in St. Michael's Church at The Front, Bell Island. (Merchants J.B Martin and J.C. Stewart also had them in their stores.) These were the first recorded instances of domestic and commercial lighting by other means than kerosene lamps on Bell Island.
In 1914, a new Roman Catholic Presbytery was built at The Front.
On October 21, 1923, the new Roman Catholic Cemetery just west of The Beach Hill was consecrated.
In the 1935 Census, Bell Island's population was 6,160. Religious denominations were:
Roman Catholic=3,171; Church of England (Anglican)=2,092; United Church=521; Salvation Army=345; Presbyterians=21; Others=10 [would have included Jewish].
On May 1, 1938, the Roman Catholic "basement" church dedicated to St. James the Apostle was officially opened on Town Square. It replaced St. Peter's Church that had been opened on The Green in 1909.
In the mid-1940s, Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church was built at Lance Cove.
In September 1954, the dedication took place for the Immaculate Conception Church, which was built over St. James RC Church on Town Square.
On December 13, 1969, the Immaculate Conception Church on Town Square, along with the school and convent, were destroyed by fire.
In 1972, the new Immaculate Conception Church was opened on Town Square. Other RC churches on Bell Island closed due to declining population after the mines closed in 1966.
In August 1983, St. Michael's RC Church at The Front was torn down because of structural weakness. Immaculate Conception Church on Town Square then became the titular parish church and was renamed St. Michael's.
In July 2022, the Supreme Court of Newfoundland approved the sale of 43 properties belonging to the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of St. John's to settle claims of abuse victims at Mount Cashel Orphanage in the 1940s to 1960s. St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church on Town Square Bell Island was listed for sale as part of this settlement. As of October 2022, St. Michael's was still operating as the only Roman Catholic Church on Bell Island and was being served by Father Wayne Dohey and Father John Cole.
The following list of the Priests who have served the parish of St. Michael's is from the Chebucto Grand Banks website and was compiled by Barbara McGrath, with the help of Larry Dohey and Cindy Foley. It was written in July 2000, so is incomplete:
Rev. Richard Dunphy 1875-1880
Rev. Lawrence Vereker 1880-1884
Rev. Francis McCullow 1884-1892
Rev. Patrick O'Brien 1892-1896
Very Rev. Dean James J. McGrath 1896-1938
Right Rev. Msgr. George F. Bartlett 1938-1956
Right Rev. Msgr. John W. McGettigan 1956-1960
Rev. Michael T. Connolly 1960-1962
Rev. Eric R. Lawlor 1962-1969
Rev. Valentine Power 1969
Rev. Richard D. McHugh 1969-1980
Rev. Daniel McGettingan 1980-1982
Rev. Dr. Joseph Barton 1982-1986
Rev. David Butler 1986-1998
Rev. Fred Brown 1998-c. early 2000s
Rev. Richard Dunphy 1875-1880
Rev. Lawrence Vereker 1880-1884
Rev. Francis McCullow 1884-1892
Rev. Patrick O'Brien 1892-1896
Very Rev. Dean James J. McGrath 1896-1938
Right Rev. Msgr. George F. Bartlett 1938-1956
Right Rev. Msgr. John W. McGettigan 1956-1960
Rev. Michael T. Connolly 1960-1962
Rev. Eric R. Lawlor 1962-1969
Rev. Valentine Power 1969
Rev. Richard D. McHugh 1969-1980
Rev. Daniel McGettingan 1980-1982
Rev. Dr. Joseph Barton 1982-1986
Rev. David Butler 1986-1998
Rev. Fred Brown 1998-c. early 2000s
History of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Parish Church Bell Island
Compiled by Barbara McGrath with information from Larry Dohey and Cindy Foley, c. July 2000
from the Chebucto Grand Banks website
Compiled by Barbara McGrath with information from Larry Dohey and Cindy Foley, c. July 2000
from the Chebucto Grand Banks website
The Roman Catholic Church on Belle Isle was represented by the Dwyer and Kent families. From the early 1800's the Roman Catholic adherents were in the majority of the population of Belle Isle, as they are today. In the fifteenth century, explorers were accompanied by priests and friars, whose desire was to convert the heathen of those far away lands. From church records, dating as far back as 1770, one can readily see that the religious aspect of life was woven strongly into the fabric of these early pioneers. It would appear that for years these early settlers and their children were without a resident clergyman or any religious guidance. Yet, from the annals of church history, we find numerous records of the Belle Isle faithful taking their children to Harbour Grace, Port de Grave, Portugal Cove, and St. John's to be baptized. Up until the beginning of mining in 1895, there were but two denominations on Bell Island Reverend William Whitley visited Portugal Cove and baptised some children from there and Belle Isle. Between 1837 and 1838 Reverend J. Forristale baptized a number of children from Belle Isle, among them were Jane, of Edward Kent; Bridget, of James Kelly; and Andrew, of Andrew Murphy. John, son of Dennis Dwyer, was one of the first children to be baptized on Bell Isle.
A small church was built as a Mission Chapel and served the needs of the parish for a number of years. This little chapel was located on the same site where St. Michael's stands today. Belle Isle, along with Topsail and Torbay, was part of Holy Rosary Parish, Portugal Cove The parish experienced considerable growth during the nineteenth century, partly due to the large influx of Irish settlers. The first resident parish priest of St. Michael's Parish was Reverend Richard Dunphy, who served his growing flock from 1875 to 1880. Reverend Dunphy was followed by Reverend Lawrence Vereker, 1880-1884; who was succeeded by Reverend Francis McCullow, 1884-1892. Reverend Patrick O'Brien served the parish from 1892~l896. Although the Roman Catholic congregation at Lance Cove was without a regular church building for many years, this did not prevent the holding of services. Whenever the Parish Priest from Portugal Cove was able to get up to Lance Cove a service was held. Before the time of the service, many of the faithful could be seen walking over the road and lanes towards the home of Mr. James and Mrs. Ann Hammond. One of the main attractions of that home was its huge fireplace. Another was that it had two sets of stairs -one was a winding stairs that led up to a large living room. This living room was known as the "big room." Behind its glass door was where the services were held In this room the large Bible was read, sermons were preached, communion was served, and confessions were heard.
A small church was built as a Mission Chapel and served the needs of the parish for a number of years. This little chapel was located on the same site where St. Michael's stands today. Belle Isle, along with Topsail and Torbay, was part of Holy Rosary Parish, Portugal Cove The parish experienced considerable growth during the nineteenth century, partly due to the large influx of Irish settlers. The first resident parish priest of St. Michael's Parish was Reverend Richard Dunphy, who served his growing flock from 1875 to 1880. Reverend Dunphy was followed by Reverend Lawrence Vereker, 1880-1884; who was succeeded by Reverend Francis McCullow, 1884-1892. Reverend Patrick O'Brien served the parish from 1892~l896. Although the Roman Catholic congregation at Lance Cove was without a regular church building for many years, this did not prevent the holding of services. Whenever the Parish Priest from Portugal Cove was able to get up to Lance Cove a service was held. Before the time of the service, many of the faithful could be seen walking over the road and lanes towards the home of Mr. James and Mrs. Ann Hammond. One of the main attractions of that home was its huge fireplace. Another was that it had two sets of stairs -one was a winding stairs that led up to a large living room. This living room was known as the "big room." Behind its glass door was where the services were held In this room the large Bible was read, sermons were preached, communion was served, and confessions were heard.
The following history of St. Michael's Parish, Bell Island, NL, is from the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation, Archives of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. John's, compiled by Larry Dohey, who was archivist of that Archives at the time this was written (c.2000s):
Initially, Bell Island fell within the expansive territorial boundaries of Holy Rosary Parish (Portugal Cove) and was served by visiting clergymen. In 1875, Thomas J. Power, Bishop of St. John's, erected St. Michael's Parish on the Island, although it was not until August 1903 that the foundation stone of the first parish church was laid. St. Michael's Church was opened and blessed in June 1907 by Bishop Michael F. Howley (prior to this, services were held in a small chapel). The development of the parish's infrastructure following the completion of St. Michael's Church is somewhat unique in that several other churches were built to serve a relatively small territory, leading to a common misconception that more than one parish existed on Bell Island. St. Peter's Church was built on "the Green" around 1912 to serve the growing population at Wabana. It was replaced by St. James's Church on Town Square in 1938. Sacred Heart Church was built at Lance Cove in the mid-1940s and Immaculate Conception Church was built over St. James's Church in 1954. Immaculate Conception was destroyed by fire in 1969, but it was replaced with a new structure, also dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, in 1972. The original St. Michael's Church was torn down in the mid-1980s because of structural weakness. Immaculate Conception was renamed St. Michael's and became the titular parish church; the other structures closed due to Bell Island's declining population after the closure of the iron ore mines in 1966.
Schools also formed an important part of St. Michael's parochial organization. A Catholic school was in operation on Bell Island as early as 1878, although the first Roman Catholic school board was not appointed until 1898. In 1901, Superior School, the first local Catholic high school, was opened. In 1917, the Sisters of Mercy arrived on Bell Island, establishing St. Edward's Convent and assuming teaching responsibilities. A second community of Mercy Sisters, incorporated as Immaculate Conception Convent, was established in 1927 at Wabana to serve the growing population of the Island. At its height, the parish supported seven schools: St. Edward's and St. Michael's Boys' Schools at "the Front", Immaculate Conception on Town Square, St. Kevin's Boys' School at "the Mines", Sacred Heart at Lance Cove, St. Cecilia's at "the West Mines", and St. Theresa's at "the East End." In June 1969, the Immaculate Conception Convent closed in response to the Island's declining population, and its residents amalgamated with St. Edward's Convent. Eventually, as a result of fire and consolidation, only two Roman Catholic schools remained on Bell Island - Immaculate Conception for primary and elementary students and St. Michael's High School. These schools are no longer under church control as a result of denominational education reforms passed by the Provincial Government in 1997.
St. Michael's established an appointed Parish Council some time after the reforms of Vatican II to help administer parish affairs (elected 1984 and onwards). The parish also maintains close relations with numerous lay societies and organizations that are active within parish life. Such past and present bodies include the Star of the Sea Society, the St. Francis Guild, the St. Anne's Sodality, the Children of Mary, the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Women's League, the St. Kevin's Cadet Corps, the Altar Society, and the Youth Ministry Organization (this list is not exhaustive).
Pastors who have served St. Michael's Parish since its establishment in 1875 include: Richard Dunphy (1875-1880); Lawrence Vereker (1880-1884); Francis McCullow (1884-1892); Patrick O'Brien (1892-1896); James J. McGrath (1896-1938); George F. Bartlett (1938-1956); John W. McGettigan (1956-[1960?]); Michael T. Connolly ([1960?]-1962); Eric R. Lawlor (1962-1969); Valentine Power (1969); Richard D. McHugh (1969-1980); Daniel McGettigan (1980-1982); Joseph Barton (1980-[1986?]); David Butler ([1986?]-1998); and Fred Brown (1998-? ).
Schools also formed an important part of St. Michael's parochial organization. A Catholic school was in operation on Bell Island as early as 1878, although the first Roman Catholic school board was not appointed until 1898. In 1901, Superior School, the first local Catholic high school, was opened. In 1917, the Sisters of Mercy arrived on Bell Island, establishing St. Edward's Convent and assuming teaching responsibilities. A second community of Mercy Sisters, incorporated as Immaculate Conception Convent, was established in 1927 at Wabana to serve the growing population of the Island. At its height, the parish supported seven schools: St. Edward's and St. Michael's Boys' Schools at "the Front", Immaculate Conception on Town Square, St. Kevin's Boys' School at "the Mines", Sacred Heart at Lance Cove, St. Cecilia's at "the West Mines", and St. Theresa's at "the East End." In June 1969, the Immaculate Conception Convent closed in response to the Island's declining population, and its residents amalgamated with St. Edward's Convent. Eventually, as a result of fire and consolidation, only two Roman Catholic schools remained on Bell Island - Immaculate Conception for primary and elementary students and St. Michael's High School. These schools are no longer under church control as a result of denominational education reforms passed by the Provincial Government in 1997.
St. Michael's established an appointed Parish Council some time after the reforms of Vatican II to help administer parish affairs (elected 1984 and onwards). The parish also maintains close relations with numerous lay societies and organizations that are active within parish life. Such past and present bodies include the Star of the Sea Society, the St. Francis Guild, the St. Anne's Sodality, the Children of Mary, the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Women's League, the St. Kevin's Cadet Corps, the Altar Society, and the Youth Ministry Organization (this list is not exhaustive).
Pastors who have served St. Michael's Parish since its establishment in 1875 include: Richard Dunphy (1875-1880); Lawrence Vereker (1880-1884); Francis McCullow (1884-1892); Patrick O'Brien (1892-1896); James J. McGrath (1896-1938); George F. Bartlett (1938-1956); John W. McGettigan (1956-[1960?]); Michael T. Connolly ([1960?]-1962); Eric R. Lawlor (1962-1969); Valentine Power (1969); Richard D. McHugh (1969-1980); Daniel McGettigan (1980-1982); Joseph Barton (1980-[1986?]); David Butler ([1986?]-1998); and Fred Brown (1998-? ).