ST JOHN'S FIRST CATHOLIC CHAPEL

Bishop James Louis O'Donel

Rev Dr James Louis O’Donel (later Bishop) arrived in Newfoundland in July 1784.  It is widely believed that the first Catholic Church in St John’s, the Old Chapel, was built by Dr O’Donel  almost immediately, about 1786. However, according to Howley’s Ecclesiastical History, a chapel could have existed before this date because the foundation stone of the old Chapel, later known as the Chapel of St Louis, bears the date of 1754.

The Old Chapel, Henry St

In those days, no lease could be granted and no structure erected without the permission of the Governor.  Dr O’Donel applied to take out a lease on a piece of ground on present day Henry Street. A 99 year lease was consequently granted for a house and garden at a rent of £28 per year. Dr O’Donel then proceeded to erect the chapel. The Chapel was a small, L-shaped wooden structure. As a bell would have been illegal in those times, a Flagpole was erected to signal the beginning of Mass and other services.    

The Chapel was enlarged in 1825. Also, in 1825, the Bell was erected. This was the first Bell ever used to call the Catholics of St John’s to worship. The inscription on the Bell read “John Redhall, fecit 1825.”

By the 1830s the Old Chapel had outlived its usefulness as the Catholic population had increased.  Also, by this time, it was found to be in poor condition.  Bishop Fleming later described it as “a wretched building little better than an extensive stable, badly built and badly ventilated and now tottering in danger of falling and so wretchedly contracted that a considerable portion of the Congregation are compelled on the Sundays to abide the pelting of the storm, the freezing winds and drifting snows … with their heads bowed in prayer beneath Heaven’s own Canopy.”

In 1870, the Old Chapel was ordered to be taken down and, in 1872 it was demolished. The site was purchased by the newly instituted Star of the Sea Association who built their very first public hall upon the spot.

The Fishermen’s Hall, Queen Street, was erected in 1861.  In 1872/3 Bishop Power purchased the Fisherman’s Hall. He dedicated it as a Catholic Chapel.  Named St Peter’s, it was divided into two floors. The upper Floor was used as a Church and the ground floor as a School. The School was staffed by the Sisters of Mercy.

When the Old Chapel, Henry St, was taken down in 1872, the Bell was installed at St Peter’s Chapel on Queen Street.  From there it continued to call the faithful to prayer until the Chapel, after the opening of St Patrick’s Church, was converted to a school.

This history making Bell was then obtained by Rev J St John, pastor of St Joseph’s Church, Salmonier. It would be interesting to know what became of that Bell which would have been such a gladsome sound to the ears of our St John’s ancestors.

Sadly, we all know that the part of our history that was the Star of the Sea Hall has been sold and replaced by the ugly Star of the Sea Residences.  All for filthy lucre!  How very sad.