The Town of Bonavista has many of the most common church denominations each having its own facilities, groups and organizations. Below you will find some in-dept information regarding some of the facilities in our Town. (Please note that some facilities have failed to provide any information regarding their church to me as of yet. If anyone out there wishes to provide me with some info and/or historical facts, please submit to webmaster@bonavista.net) Anglican Christ Church | Memorial United Church | Salvation Army Citadel | Grace Pentecostal Church | Kingdom Hall | Roman Catholic | Seventh Day Adventist

Anglican Christ Church Tel: (709) 468-7025 Rectory: (709) 468-7357 The first Anglican clergyman to be appointed to Bonavista was an Englishman by the name of Rev. H. Jones in 1723. During his residence in Bonavista he established a school in 1726*, the first in Newfoundland. The first Anglican Church was built in Bonavista during the year 1730. Rev. Jones stayed at Bonavista for seventeen years, during which his first eight he reported having baptized 119 people. Rev. Jones was succeeded by Rev. W. Peasley who remained until 1744, having lived in Bonavista for four years. After Rev. W. Peasley left the Parish, the Church at Bonavista was left without a resident clergyman for seventy years**; the services of the Church were carried on by some faithful Laymen such as Thomas Gaylor, Abraham Ackerman and Dr. Clinch. In 1822, on New Year's Day, a second church was opened which was built under the supervision of Abraham Ackerman. The third church to be built at Bonavista was in 1862 by Rev. A.E.C. Bayley. In 1931 the fourth church to be built at Bonavista was opened under the leadership of Canon A.G. Bayley. In October 1977 the destruction of the fourth church was begun, to be replaced by a new wooden building which opened in 1981. * The date differs in other records. ** Some records give period as just about 80 years. | Back |

Memorial United Church Tel: (709) 468-2074 Manse: (709) 468-2450 The first Methodist church was constructed in 1814 under the ministry of Rev. William Ellis. It served its congregation for thirty-five years and was known as the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel while its followers were called ‘Wesleyans'. In 1851, it was felt that the church had to be enlarged and was done so a few years later. However, on Sunday, January 8, 1870, a severe storm destroyed the church. Undaunted, the people rebuilt the church and it was completed in 1871 under the ministry of Rev. John S. Phimmey. On March 4, 1918, this building was taken down in favour of a new facility. The fourth and present church was built in 1921 under the leadership of Rev. Charles Lench. It is 65 feet wide and 124 feet long with a seating capacity of 1200. It is of the "Classical Revival Style," widely popular throughout mainland British North America from circa 1820 to 1860. It is the largest wooden church in Eastern Canada and is a magnificent structure that stands as a memorial to those who paid the supreme sacrifice during the first and second World Wars. List of clergy who served the Memorial United Church of Bonavista since it became a member of the United Church of Canada: 1916-1923. . . Rev. Charles Lench 1923-1926. . . Rev. C. R. Blount 1926-1934. . . Rev. S. Bennett 1934-1940. . . Rev. S. I. Murley 1940-1947. . . Rev. J. M. Winsor 1947-1951. . . Rev. Dr. Arthur S. Butt 1951-1953. . . Rev. Thomas R. Mills 1953-1957. . . Rev. William E. Stanford 1957-1961. . . Rev. Frederick W. Bradbury 1961-1962. . . Rev. Calvin Evans 1962-1965. . . Rev. Melvin Ralph 1965-1966. . . Rev. W. R. Bowering 1966-1968. . . Rev. Clarence Stanford 1968-1973. . . Rev. Ambrose E. Newbury 1973-1978. . . Rev. Harvey D. Harris 1978-1985. . . Rev. A. James Hoddinott 1985-1986. . . Rev. Dr. Arthur S. Butt 1986-1989. . . Rev. Ernest Feltham 1989-1990. . . Rev. Albert Trask 1990-1992. . . Rev. Douglas Best 1992-1993. . . Rev. W. R. Bowering 1993-1994. . . Rev. Fred Hickman 1994-1995. . . Rev. Cecil Tiller 1995-1996. . . Rev. Ernest Parsons 1996-Present. . . Elsie E. Pottle | Back |

Salvation Army Citadel Tel: (709) 468-7167 Quarters: (709) 468-7600 The corps was opened on December 5, 1886 by Capt. F. Grey. The first official meeting was held at the Mockbeggar premises which is now a provincial historic site. From 1886-1930 there were no records kept but information reported by some, who can faintly recall those days, tell us that they were difficult days - much opposition during the first ten to twenty years. By 1930, after forty-four years in existence, things were well established. Commandant and Mrs. Woodland took charge of the Corps in October 1930. These were poor times financially. On November 2, 1930, a special Thanksgiving offering was received which amounted to $154.00. Today such an offering would amount to $1000-$1200. Commandant Woodland was followed by Commandant and Mrs. Woolcott who came from Glace Bay, N.S. After ten months they were transferred to Belleville, Ontario. Adjutant and Mrs. Pike succeeded them. According to records, these were still very poor times. A Christmas concert on December 23, 1932 raised only $23.50 with about two to three hundred present. September 8, 1937 was a breakthrough day for Bonavista. On that day, Governor Walwyn and party were special guests. The Salvation Army Band and Life Saving Units participated in the welcoming exercises. His Excellency paid a visit to the Salvation Army Citadel and expressed his admiration for the Salvation Army. In his speech he stated his hope and desire to help the town of Bonavista in its financial depression. The Salvation Army Officer was a member of a selected committee to arrange a program of entertainment for the Governor and his party. In the ensuing years the Army has continued to play a very important role in the life of the town. The Band, especially, has been used in the community for occasions such as Society parades and Memorial Day events. | Back |

Grace Pentecostal Church Tel: (709) 468-7220 Parsonage: (709) 468-2217 | Back |

Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall Tel: (709) 468-1427 | Back |

St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church Parish established: Approximately 1842 (Mission Status) Name of the first Parish Priest: Rev. Matthew Scanlan (1842-1857) Name of other Parish Priests and Clergy who served in the Parish: Rev. James Brown (1857- 1865) Rev. Matthew Scanlan (1865-1871) Rev. William Veitch (1871-1873) Rev. Philip A. Carolan (1873-1890) Rev. Thomas E. Lynch (1890-1892) Rev. Richard M. Walker (1892-1897) Rev. Walter Tarahan (1897-1900) Rev. Dr. Patrick W. Browne (1900-1906) Rev. George Thibault (1906-1907) Rev. Dr. Joseph Murphy (1907-1912) Rev. Mark P. Dwyer (1912-1927) Rev. Michael F. Dinn (1927-1934) Rev. Jeremiah Howard (1934 - 1953) Rev. Richard T. Woodford (1953-1964) Rev. J. Raymond Hawco (1964-1970) Rev. Edward R. Brophy (1970- 1975) Rev. Linus Coady (1975-1976) Rev. J. Kevin Barker (1976-1977) Rev. David Heale (1977-1978) Rev. Patrick Power C.Ss.R. (1978 - 1980) Rev. Edward T. Bromley (1980-1984) Rev. James Beresford (1984-1989) Rev. Francis Aylward (1989-1990) Rev. J. Kevin Barker (1991-1996) Rev. Brendan J. McCarthy (1996 - 2002) Rev. William E. Hearn (2002-Present) Curates: Rev. James Walsh (1855-1856) & Rev. James Cummins (1866-1873) Names of settlements and mission Churches in the parish (Saints Names): Port Union (St. Patrick's), Bonavista (St. Joseph's), Trinity (Holy Trinity). Baptismal Records: 1842-Present. 1842-1928 & 1943-1954 in the Diocesan Archives. Confirmation Records: 1932 Marriage Records: 1842. 1892-1939 & 1943-1954 are in the Diocesan Archives. Death Records: Unknown. 1901-1940 & 1943-1954 are in the Diocesan Archives. | Back |

Seventh Day Adventist Church | Back |