St. John the Evangelist Church(Topsail)
Local historians think St. John the Evangelist Church, located in the Anglican cemetery in Topsail, was designed by James Harvey and built by S. Churchill, A. Churchill and W. Allen in 1860-1861.
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© 1998 Heritage Foundation
of Newfoundland and Labrador. Note click on photo to see larger, click |
The Gothic-styled wooden structure is typical of Anglican churches built in outport Newfoundland during the nineteenth century. However, the interior is distinctive because neither the walls, ceilings, floors nor pews were ever stained or painted. The pristine state of the structure provides valuable insight into the materials and techniques used in constructing the church.
The church served the spiritual needs of Topsail Anglicans from 1861 to 1974. During that time several modifications to the structure were made. A bell tower was added, the original wooden shingles were replaced with asphalt shingles and in the 1920s the church was wired for electricity. Over the years the congregation of St. John the Evangelist have included influential public figures such as James Bancroft, founder of the Newfoundland Teachers Association. Another important parishioner was well-known merchant Sir Edgar R. Bowring, who was an important participant in Newfoundland's political and social life. Although the church was closed as a place of regular worship in 1974, St. John the Evangelist Church continues to be used for annual flower services in memory of the departed. Beginning in the early 1980s the church was opened Sunday afternoons to the general public. The church was also a setting for an episode of the CBC television program Pigeon Inlet.
The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador designated St. John the Evangelist Church a Registered Heritage Structure in December 1986.
History of St. John the Evangelists
Anglican Church Topsail Contributed by Barbara McGrath
The history of the Anglican Church
in Topsail dates back to the early 1800's when settlers began to move into the
area. These earlier settlers were occasionally visited by clergy from the Cathedral
in St. John's. One of the earlier recording is a marriage in 1819. In 1845,
Rev. Benjamin Fleet was appointed Missionary of the South Shore, then a stretch
of beach running 8 to 10 miles from Topsail to Seal Cove, including 11
settlements. This former choir boy found a dramatic change of lifestyle. The
winters in the unsheltered coast were found almost unbearable and his lodgings
were a merely a former hayloft. He describes the people as being of the lowest
class of fisherman and sought the disappearance of such immoral acts as nightly
card playing and drinking amongst the younger crowd. The only Church as
"old decayed building centered in Foxtrap which barely sufficed the needs
of the mission.
With the extension of the roads in the 1840's, the
population of Topsail-Manuels grew rapidly. Due to the growth, Topsail became a
separate mission in 1860 and Rev. Charles Palairet was appointed its first
incumbent. Stemming from a rich background in France, along with generous
gifts, bought to completion this church in Topsail. The present building dates
from the time of Rev. Palairet, who according to records was very active in
planning anng orchasing of materials for the structure. The first service was
held in the ced ch Cottage on May 8, 1860 and the church opened Jun 18, 1861.
Since the original construction a number of changes have been made, such as the
tower was not part of the original building, asphalt singles have replaced the
wooden ones, and electricity replaced the oil lamps and chandelier. One of the
most interesting features is its style of architecture and the natural wood has
never been painted. Rev. Palairet also built the Church and Parsonage in
Foxtrap, built houses for poor families as well as lavish a small fortune on
the Churches and the people of Topsail, greatly improving the quality of life
there. This church saw its last consecutive service in 1974, the unique
building forms an important part of the heritage, religion and tradition of the
area which is worth preserving. The Old Church is retained as a consecrated
place of worship.
ADDRESS: P.O. Box 70
Topsail, Newfoundland
A0A3Y0
Telephone #: (709) 834-2336 Fax #: (709) 834-2336
e-mail address: [email protected]
Pastor Rev. Howard Hynes
Secretary Jane
Hackett
Records
available: Baptisms/Misc (1830-1850) Box 1
Baptisms (1861-1907) Box 1
Confirmations (1884-1900) Box 1 (with gaps)
Marriages (1861-1890) Box 1
Marriages (1892-1935) Box 1
Burials (1857-1905) Box 1
Communicants (1861-1909) Box 1 (with gaps)
Ins for Church Box
1
Land Sale - Topsail Box
1
Chamberlains List Box 1
List of People Box
1
Map of Chamberlains & Topsail Box 1
Opening of Paradise Church Box 1
125th Anniversary Box 1
These records are also available at the Provincial Archives of
Newfoundland and Labrador (PANL).
These Vital Statistics Volumes (DPHW) are available at PANL
only. (The ones below)
Parish: Topsail Place: Topsail Religion:Church
of England
Baptisms: 1880-1891 Vol 33 Reel No. C
Marriages: 1880-1891 Vol 33 Reel No. C
These are the All Newfoundland
Births - Vital Statistics Division microfilm available for this parish at the
PANL for the period from 1891 to 1926 for baptisms and from 1891 to 1922 for
marriages.
The death records for this Parish start from 1857 onwards There are
also microfilms at the PANL from the Vital Statistics Division from 1891 to
1949 for deaths.
Church used prior to this one was the Cathedral of St. John the
Baptist, St. John's.
Cemetery used: St. John the Evangelist Cemetery located on the Church
property
A list of Pastors who have served the Parish of St. John the
Evangelists:
From early 1800's to 1844 - visiting Clergy from St. John's came to
the Parish.
1860 - Topsail became a separate Mission Parish from Foxtrap
Rev. Benjamin Fleet (1845-1860)
Rev. Charles Palairet (1860-1867)
Rev. Edward Colley (1876-1904)
Rev. Robert Temple (1905-1911)
Rev. T.G. Netten (1911-1917)
Rev. Arthur Pittman (1918-1934)
Rev. W.A. Butler (1934-1943)
Rev. Evelyn Clench (1943-1949)
Rev. Joseph Goodland (1949-1959)
Rev. George Camp (1959-1964)
Rev. Sidney M. Bradbrook (1964-1974)(old church)Rev. Sidney M. Bradbrook (1974-1977)(new church)Rev. Wilson Tibbo (1977-1984)
Rev. Lloyd Collett (1985-1998)Rev. Canon Howard Hynes (1998-present)
I would like to thank Howard Brown for sending me the brochure with the history and picture of St. John the Evangelist Parish.