St. Swithin's Anglican Church Seal Cove NL

The Parish of Seal Cove is made up of four Congregations on the Baie Verte Peninsula in the Green Bay-White Bay Area of Newfoundland. The Parish of Seal Cove has congregations in the communities of Baie Verte, Seal Cove, (White Bay) Westport, and La Scie. There are also Anglican families that are scattered across the rest of the Green Bay side of the peninsula, from Middle Arm to Shoe Cove. These families come to the churches in the parish for worship and sacrament.

 

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St. Paul's, Baie Verte

In the late 1950’s when Bowaters Pulp and paper Company was administratively headquartered in Baie Verte, other churches had already been established: Roman Catholic, United and Salvation Army. The Town had a population of about 530-560 people. Of that number, about 35-40 of those people were Anglicans. But the congregation had no place to worship. For a time, when an Anglican clergy would visit, the United Church School was borrowed to hold services.

In 1958 a committee was formed and plans were made to procure an building in which services could be held. A small building measuring 24’by 36’ was bought from the Roman Catholic School Board. The building had been used as a classroom and had to be refitted to be used as a church. The building was moved to the current property and construction had the building ready for use in 1959. The little Church was consecrated “All Saints” by the Bishop Suffragan R.L. Seaborn on July 10th 1960. The Rector of Seal Cove Parish at the time was the Rev. C.W. Russell. All Saints continued to be used by the congregation until 1970. It was moved up the hill and last served as a house at the corner of Church Street and North Street. It was torn down in 2009.

Through the 1960’s, growth in the local mining industry saw the population of the community swell and this saw a rise in the number of Anglicans attending worship. The size of the congregation made the All Saints too small for the growing numbers. The decision was made that the current building was to be sold and that a cement foundation was to poured in favour of a larger building. This building was to take the form of the church that was constructed in Bear Cove, White Bay. St. Paul’s was constructed under the leadership of Mr. Fred Morris, a local teacher. Starting in 1952, and led by Mr. Allan Gavin, carpenter and Mr. Morris, things began to take shape. Mr. Morris made much of the furniture save the pews which were bought from Saunders and Howell Company. Mr. Morris designed and built the altar, prayer desk and font as gifts to the church. The first service at St. Paul’s was held on July 1st 1956. It was an ACW Corporate Communion Service and brought people from Westport and Seal Cove as well as the people of Bear Cove.

Government Resettlement came to the White Bay in the late 1960’s and St. Paul’s was left without a congregation. The Decision was undertaken on August 20th 1970, to move the building from Bear Cove to Baie Verte and place it on the foundation in Baie Verte. Resident contractor Eric Andrews was asked to take on the project. The building was moved down the steep slope to the water, placed on a raft, floated and on September 16th 1970 the church building was towed fifty miles by sea from Bear Cove to Baie Verte. By local accounts, “it was a very still day and not a single sill was wet.” Restoration work took place throughout October and November. On Christmas Eve, 1970 the first Eucharist was at St. Paul’s Baie Verte was held, led by the Rev. Canon John Brown, Rector of Seal Cove Parish at the time.

On the celebration of the fortieth Anniversary of the first service, December 24th 2010, there are about 55 families who call St. Paul’s Church their spiritual home. Recent years have seen renewal of the building, rails for the chancel stairs, and an ambry and Sanctuary lamp. Mr. Harry Stockley and Mr. Gordon Randell lent their skills as carpenters to see these projects done. The Rev. Jason Haggstrom is the current rector serving the Parish of Seal Cove. He has been with the parish since his ordination in 2007.

St. Swithin's, Seal Cove (White Bay)

St. Swithin's. Seal Cove, White Bay is the second church structure on the same land. the first church was built on the North side of the current structure in the 1870's and served as the church building until the late 1940's when the current wooden structure was built. Over the years additions have been made to enlarge the sancutary, the vestry a choir room and the chancel. all that remains of the orginal tower is the top where the bell and chimes speakers are kept. in the past couple of years the roof has been redone and all of the original windows have been replace with more engery efficient modern widows that open. The four large windows on the front of the building have become two. The congregation also recently received a new electronic organ for its music ministry. It should prove to be a fine edition. 2010 sees the congregation celebrate the 60th anninversary of the consecration of their building by Bishop Phillip Abraham - then Bishop of the Diocese of Newfoundland.

St. Peter's, Westport and Purbeck's Cove

St. Peter's is the second building in the community of Westport Newfoundland and remains as the only church still active in the White Bay community. St. Peter's was built in the early 1960's to seat hundreds of people. In the older Church people had to bring out chairs and stools to sit out side and hear the services. The new building was much larger and able to seat many more but was still not large enough. A witness to the faith and commitment of the all the congregations and communities in the White Bay area.

The current building in Westport his home to a congregation from two communities: Westport and Purbeck's Cove. In the Spring of 2007, there were three churches in the parish were closed and sold, including St. George's, Purbeck's Cove. Thus the congregation from St. George's came and joined the congregation at St. Peter's, Westport. they continue together working hard and believing together.