The History of St. Peter's

The earliest evidence of a congregation is only circumstantial. A Mr. Robert Nichens donated two collection plates in 1853 to a church and these are the collection plates used at St. Peter's tonight. This does not mean that a church existed but that may have been a gift from another church in another town or another country. The name Nichens does not help us since it cannot be found in church records or any of the provincial records either. Was the name spelled incorrectly? It really is a dead end clue to our beginnings.

The first concrete evidence that St. Peter's congregation had been formed can be found in 1872. Baptismal records show baptisms for residents in that year. Parish records also show names of communicants from Harbour Grace South starting in December 25, 1872. The unusual circumstances around these dates suggest there was not a church at this time. It was not until May 21, 1873 that land was given to the "Bishop and his Successors" (Diocesan Synod Reports and Accounts 1870-83) by the crown. Could it be possible that members of St. Peter's Congregation held services in private homes, in a school, or did they travel to Bryants Cove? Brayants Cove names also appear on the baptismal lists of 1872, which indicate they were part of our parish and not that of Harbour Grace. Was there or was there not a church in 1872 at Harbour Grace South? We can only guess.

A St. Peter's Church for Harbour Grace South Anglicans definitely was constructed between 1872-1875. Rev. John Godden was paid £28 in 1875 (tablet to his memory can be found in the church) for his work at Harbour Grace South. Grants of £ 100 in 1875 and £ 20 in 1876 were given by General Church Fund of Diocesan for church construction. Also in 1875, the church bell was purchased from New York ans was "erected upon Rev. Godden's church, Southside" (Harbour Grace Standard and Conception Bay Advertiser, August 21, 1875). A church, whether the first or not, had now been constructed at Harbour Grace South. The only mystery surrounding St. Peter's beginnings was that found in the wonder of God.

"BEFORE THE COCK CROWS THRICE......." On April 12 1998, St. Peter's Church was ninety years old. St. Peter may have denied Jesus but from the beginning there was no denying the construction of St. Peter's Church of Harbour Grace South. As early as 1905, plans were made as shown in the minutes of the church annual meeting of 1906 when Mr. Selby Noel moved and Mr. Josiah Yetman seconded "that collections be made as in 1905 and that at the end of 1906 the list of subscribers to the Annual Expenses Fund be placed in the church porch." These early parishioners showed their determination at a special meeting held on May 17, 1906 when collectors for the "new church" fund were appointed for different harbours of "THE LABRADOR" as follows:

Carpoon - Thos. H. Sheppard
Fishing Ships - Clem Sheppard & Martin George
Tub Harbour - James & Josiah Yetman
Seal Islands - Lymen & John Noel
Webbers Harbour - Alex Sheppard & Eliezer Noel
Shoal Tickle - Mark Sheppard
Shoal Bay Islands - Victor Sheppard and Leander Noel
Grady - Jonathan Sheppard
Sandy Islands - Moses Yetman

In addition, the Rev. C. Carpenter was to cover Harbour Grace Islands; Richard and Leonard Sheppard the east end of Southside; Moses Yetman Jr. and James Shute the west end. By December 20, 1906 a whopping $211.10 had been collected and at a special meeting on December 20, 1906 a proposition called for a Mr. Edward Darcy of St. John's to inspect and report on a church, that is, if "his fees didn't exceed $10.00. Collections continued in 1907 and 1908. Finally, with the old church torn down in April of 1907, the contract amounting to $1400.00 was awarded to William Carson to "close in" the new church which would see its first service on April 12, 1908. Construction had begun and feelings were high as expressed by one parishioner who wrote to the Diocesan Magazine 1908 - "We shall have as pretty a church as there is in the bay...." (Diocesan Magazine, June 1908).

The construction of the church was planned ans supervised by Rev. C. Carpenter. Men stayed home in the spring of 1907 and were late in going to the Labrador fishery so that they could help build the church from their volunteer labour. The cells were cut on the White hills and were hauled across ponds of New Harbour Barrons. Materials were salvaged from the dismantling of the old St. Peter's Church. The bell was the same one which came from New York in 1875. The wonderful Rev. Carpenter, respected by his congregation so much, left his mark like a great artist personally doing the carving in the church. With the co-operation that looms so familiar in the past, the small congregation built a church from a small sum of money and invaluable Christian love and dedication.

One would think that all major stumbling blocks would be overcome with the church building completed - quite the opposite was true. Although not easily recognizable today, there were east and west end entrances to the church. There was a debate about the "high society" using the east end and the "low society" using the west end. This matter was settled when it was decided that the west end door would be the entrance for everyone. This type of attitude also surrounded the distribution of seats and this dilemma was settled by a "draw." It was decided that "families of seven or more would draw for long seats; of five and six to draw for medium length seats; and four and under the short seats. Those who do not care to draw to be content with whatever seats may be left after the others have drawn (St. Peter's Church Annual Meeting, 1909).

What nearly caused a disturbance among those early Christians had been settled and all was peaceful in the "comfortable" pews of St. Peter's Church.

St. Peter's was now ready for growth. In 1910, Rev. Carpenter left because of ill health. One parishioner showed his love for this man stating, "his equal, I fear, we shall never get again." (Diocesan Magazine). Rev. C.M. Stickings took over the parish in 1911. He left for Heart's Content in 1914 and Rev. Mackay assumed responsibility for one year, being replaced by the Rev. E.O.W. Andrews. During Rev. Andrews' first year, an attempt to unite St. Peter's and Christ Church Parish with St. Paul's was rejected. In 1919, Rev. W.E.R. Cracknell became Rector of St. Peter's and under his leadership great things happened. On March 21, 1920 electric lights were introduced; the first parade of the L.O.B.A. was held on May 24, 1920, and on October 26, 1924 the new pulpit was donated by Rev. A.B.S. Sterling. As Rev. Cracknell's service ended in 1925 and Rev. Cracknell service ended in 1925 and Rev. G.S. Templeton became Rector, a very important event happened - Christ Church, St. Paul's and St. Peter's became one parish. It was with dedication of a true Christian that in 1934 Rev. Templeton overcame all barriers between St. Paul's and Christ Church, resulting in Christ Church closing and the formation of the parish as we know it today.

Rev. H.F.G.D. Kirby succeeded Rev. Templeton in 1934. The church remained steady and, in fact, the C.E.W.A. found enough funds to donate the vases on the Altar today. Another person (unknown) donated the candleholders that were made in peerage, England. In 1945, the Church underwent some major repairs to the clapboard and shingles, as well as steps and window maintenance. In 1946, Rev. R.O. Davies became Rector and served the Parish until 1954, and was succeeded by Rev. L.A.J. Ludlow. Rev. Ludlow's contributions to the Parish were many, especially his efforts towards improving education. Under his direction, pledges were collected and a new two-room school was constructed. Rev. Ludlow was a major factor in convincing people in 1968 that the high school on the north side would be advantageous for the children of St. Peter's.

In 1969, Rev. D.M.A. Pearce became Rector of St. Peter's and was noted for his financial expertise and great energies. He was the catalyst for obtaining grants in 1977-78, thus enabling St. Peter's to receive badly needed major repairs. In 1976, under his direction, a new organ was obtained for St. Peter's through general collections. When the collections were completed, enough funds remained to carpet the Church with major contributions from A.C.W. Rev. Pearce also concentrated on the youth in the community and was instrumental in starting recreation groups, as well as encouraging young people to attend church camps.

Canon J.A.F. Slade became rector in 1977. Under Canon Slade's service major renovations were made to the parish hall; the church grounds and church fences repaired. A collection was made to replace the church furnace.

Rev. David Hewitt became minister when Canon Slade passed away while serving our parish. Under the direction of Rev. Hewitt a grant was obtained and the church was varnished, tile place on the under the seats; the altar was made free standing and the choir seats move up to where they are today and a grant where the ministers vestry was shingled and a cabinets made to place our altar cloths and communion needs in.

Our present day rector, Rev. John M. Dinn has focused on repairs that were needed around the church -new lighting, a new furnace, a new roof and electrical service for St. Peter's Hall, cemetery clean-up, new carpet for the church, and re-opened St. Peter's Sunday School and re-established confirmation classes. He encourages the youth of our church to be part of the CLB, JA and YGA.

Taken from a history researched by: Gordon Stone, Philip Sheppard, & Rev. Josiah Noel. 75th anniversary booklet - 1983, and added to by Daphne Mercer.