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Authority record
Corporate body · 1896-

During the years 1875-1876, the Methodist Church sent Rev. James Pincock to the Pilley's Island Circuit to minister to the people of Pilley's Island, Robert's Arm, Port Anson, Head's Harbour, Miles Cove and Wellman's Cove. Pilley's Island first appeared on the station sheet in 1892 in connection with Little Bay Islands. This station was served by two ministers with one stationed at Pilley's Island. The first church at Pilley's Island was built in about 1896. Roberts Arm's first church was built during 1875-1876.

By 1911, the circuit name was Little Bay Islands, Long Island and Pilley's Island being served by three ministers. In 1913, Long Island and Pilley's Island were separated from Little Bay Islands and there was a minister in each of these communities. The communities were together again for a time in 1914, and by 1916, all three were separated and Pilley's Island appeared as head of a mission until 1930 ministered by J.A. Spencer. By 1931, Pilley's Island had preaching places in the following nearby communities: Head's Harbour, Mile's Cove, Roberts Arm, Wellman's Cove, and Port Anson.

Pilley's Island became affiliated with the United Church on June 10, 1925, having been a Methodist Congregation prior to that time. The pastoral charge at the time of the union included Triton, Robert's Arm, Card's Harbour, Brighton and Sunday Cove Island with a total membership of 148 families. The organizational structure of the pastoral charge is based on the Session, Stewards, Official Board model.

Pilley's Island was a thriving copper mining and fishing community but when the mine closed, and shifts of the population occurred with people moving around for employment, the spirit went out of the community and the church was almost destroyed.

From 1972-1979, Pilley's Island pastoral charge had a stationed minister, Rev. R. Kraglund, who was instrumental in fostering interest in the church. During 1978, stewardship of the pastoral charge increased by 34% over 1977 and considerable donations were made to the building fund in Pilley's Island and South Brook. The old church at Pilley's Island was renovated and a new church at South Brook was nearing completion in 1979. By 1989, Pilley's Island pastoral charge was responsible for Beaumont, Lushes Bight, Pilley's Island, Roberts Arm and South Brook.

Today the pastoral charge is made up of congregations in Beaumont, Roberts Arm and South Brook and the name has changed from Pilley's Island Pastoral Charge to the Green Bay South Pastoral Charge.

Corporate body · 1889-1963

In the early days of Methodism in Botwood, (which was known as Ship Cove then), Botwood was a part of the Exploits Mission, with the minister or missionary stationed at Exploits. This mission had many subdivisions over the course of time.

In 1889 the Exploits Mission was divided, and the Exploits Bay Mission was formed, with preaching appointments at Burnt Bay (Lewisporte), Indian Arm, Loon Bay, Scissors Cove, Kite Cove (Laurenceton), and Ship Cove (Botwood). The first minister under the boundary set up in 1889 was Rev. James Nurse. Rev. Frank Hollett was the first ordained minister stationed at Botwood. In 1898, this mission appears in the Minutes as Botwoodville.

Rev. C.R. Durant was appointed to the charge in 1905. It was during his pastorate that the first Methodist church was built at Botwood. The foundation for the Methodist church was laid in September 1905 and it was opened for worship on April 2, 1906. During this time, Laurenceton was added to the circuit name and it was named Botwoodville and Laurenceton pastoral charge. Northern Arm was also an appointment of this circuit. Laurenceton appears as a separate mission in 1918; It was during the pastorate of the Rev. W. Edgar Mercer from 1924, that the Methodist Church of Botwood became a part of the United Church of Canada. Shortly after the union of churches, plans were laid at Botwood for a new church with twin towers. The new structure was dedicated in 1928 while Rev. Mercer was still pastor.

For about twenty-five years after The Methodist Church in Newfoundland became part of The United Church of Canada, many of the features of Methodism continued - the prayer meeting, in some places class meeting, the annual Missionary Meeting, and in most churches, the Order of Service of the 1914 Methodist Discipline was followed. The Women's Organizations and Circuit Boards were continued for thirty-five years inmost congregations. There was a strong emphasis on Christian Education, and new organizations - Explorers, Trail Rangers, Tuxis and Newfoundland Girls in Training were formed. The Methodist Organization, The Epworth League for young adults, continued for some years, but later the name was changed to The Young People's Society.

The old official boards of the Methodist Church weren't dissolved until 1934 and new ones were appointed according to the manual of the United Church of Canada.

Corporate body · 1892-1981

Although the Shoal Harbour Mission wasn't mentioned in Minutes until 1871, the early settlers of Shoal Harbour, who came from Hants Habour on the south side of Trinity Bay, had settled there by the mid 1800's. It is believed that these people being of the Methodist faith built a little church that was dedicated to the glory of God and opened for worship on February 11, 1866. John Tilley, Moses Tilley, Aaron Tilley and David Palmer were the builders of this first little church. The mission at that time had thirty appointments.

This was their place of worship for 26 years during which time a considerable number of families moved to the area. Not long after the opening of the first church, a parsonage was built and the first residential Minister, Rev. William Swann, arrived. He was stationed at Shoal Harbour from 1871-1872 during which time he spent six months in the area with 30 appointments to visit, most of the which worship during the week night and rarely on Sunday.

As there were no roads then, or for many years after, the Missionary had many dangerous journeys. For the early years the only church in the area was at Shoal Harbour. This church was soon followed by a church at Lower Shoal Harbour (now Clarenville) and George's Brook. Because of the large area to be covered in the Shoal Harbour Pastoral Charge, Shoal Harbour, Lower Shoal Harbour and George's Brook had lay readers who helped out the Minister.

Somewhere between 1872 and 1885, the first church was turned over for re-modeling and used as a school and a new church opened for worship on June 30, 1892. A forest fire swept the area shortly after destroying many of the homes and the church and parsonage as well. All church records previous to 1892 were destroyed in the fire.

In 1874, the Shoal Harbour circuit included the whole bottom of Trinity Bay with more than twenty appointments which was supplied by two men, of whom Thomas W. Atkinson was one. During this same period, a church was completed at George's Brook, and one was made suitable for services at Lower Shoal Harbour, and several others were in course of erection. During his three pastorate, Rev. Atkinson witnessed the building of six churches and school houses and many members were added to the church.

Boundary changes in 1878, saw Shoal Harbour divided into two missions - Random North and Random South and later the former went back to the title of Shoal Harbour. Several other missions were made out of portions of the old Shoal Harbour field. The present appointments are Shoal Harbour, Clarenville, George's Brook, Broad Cove and White Rock.

On December 30th of that year a firm decision was made to build a new church and this, the third church, was dedicated on December 9, 1894. Then in summer of 1903, a forest fire again swept the area and the third church was burned down. A church was dedicated early in 1903 at White Rock and another at Broad Cove, now Harcourt, in the pastorate of James Pincock. We have no record of when the fourth church was started at Shoal Harbour but the Trustee Board Records show that the exterior of the church was completed during 1906 and on October 31, 1907, the new church was dedicated by Rev. Sydney Bennett, Minister at Britannia, acting on behalf of the President of Conference, who was unable to attend.

The cornerstone of a new church at Clarenville, formerly Lower Shoal Harbour, was laid on August 13, 1923, by H.G. Coppin, Chairman of the District. At the time of the union of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational churches to form the United Church of Canada in 1925, the Shoal Harbour pastoral charge had four preaching places and Rev. Isaac Davis was administering to 164 families there.

The Opening an Dedication Service for a new church at George's Brook and Milton was held on July 29, 1962 under the pastorate of Rev. Edward George Bailey. Late in 1962, the congregation of Shoal Harbour decided that the old church was inadequate for their present needs. Work began shortly afterwards on the new church and it was completed on the outside. The closing service for the old church was conducted on June 28, 1966 and then the old church was demolished. For over a year, worship was conducted in the basement of the new church while it was being finished . The dedication ceremony for the new church was conducted on September 15, 1968.

Presently the pastoral charge of Shoal Harbour administers to the following communities: Harcourt, Milton-George's Brook, Monroe, Shoal Harbour.

Corporate body · 1987

The St. John's Regatta Committee Hall of Fame was established in 1987. The constitution of the organization states that the objects of the Committee are:
(1) To recognize, honour and pay tribute to individuals or crews on the basis of ability, sportsmanship, talent and achievement of extraordinary distinction in rowing, whether amateur or professional;
(2) To recognize, honour and pay tribute to those individuals, groups or associations who have given distinguished service and who have made a major contribution to the development and advancement of rowing in Newfoundland;
(3) To encourage the development of all aspects of rowing by permanently recording the achievements and history of such individuals, groups, associations or crews.
(Constitution, 1987)

The Hall of Fame is held in trust by a Board of Governors appointed by the St. John's Regatta Committee.
The Board of Governors, in its turn, appoints a six-member Selection Committee. There are three categories of membership: rowers/crews, coxswains/coaches and builders. Any Newfoundlander enrolled in the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame or the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame whose major achievement was in rowing is also included in the St. John's Regatta Committee Hall of Fame. No one is eligible for inclusion in the Hall of Fame until three years have elapsed since they have actively participated in rowing.

Corporate body · 1967-

The Canada Games were conceived as a national development program for sport among representatives of all provinces and territories. The first Winter Games were held in February 1967 in Quebec City; the first Summer Games were held in August 1969 in Halifax.

Discussions about the possibility of St. John's hosting some aspect of the Canada Games began as early as 1970. A last-minute initiative in January and February of 1974 by St. John's mayor Dorothy Wyatt, resulted in a successful bid by Newfoundland and Labrador to obtain the 1977 Canada Summer Games. Preparations began as soon as the federal government's decision was announced on 16 March 1974. Newfoundland businessman Andrew Crosbie was appointed president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Canada Summer Games Society. Construction of the facilities were completed by June 1977 and the Games were declared open on 7 August 1977.

Newfoundland and Labrador sent over 200 competitors to the 1977 Summer Games. They competed in sixteen sports: archery, baseball, canoeing, cycling, diving, field hockey, lacrosse, sailing, shooting, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, water polo and water skiing. Newfoundland and Labrador athletes won one gold and three bronze medals during the competition and the Newfoundland and Labrador team won the Centennial Cup for the most improved showing. The games ended on 19 August 1977.

Corporate body · [191-]-1934

The exact date of the establishment of the Cubs Baseball Club, a St. John's men's team, is not currently known. However, it was one of the four original teams in the St. John's Baseball League, established in 1913. The team had considerable success in the early years of the League, winning several of the "Garden Party" series, under the auspices of Mount Cashel Orphanage. The St. John's Baseball League became inactive following the 1922 summer season.

The Cubs renewed their membership in the St. John's Baseball League when it was reestablished in 1927, but they do not appear to have been as successful. By 1934 the League was recommending that the Cubs consider amalgamation with the team fielded by the Methodist Guards Amateur Athletic Association. The collapse of the League itself in that year may have made this move unnecessary.

Corporate body · 1976-

The Newfoundland and Labrador Games are multi-sport competition whose objective is to encourage the youth of Newfoundland and Labrador to participate in athletic competition "with an emphasis on development and excellence". Regional sports competitions have been held in Newfoundland and Labrador since the early 1970s, but the first official Newfoundland and Labrador Games were not held until the summer of 1976. Summer Games have alternated with Winter Games in a two-year rotation since that time. Regional teams compete for the Premier's Cup (for the highest number of points), the Sport Newfoundland and Labrador Trophy (for the most improved region) and, since 1990, the Lieutenant-Governor's Award (for the region judged most spirited and sportsmanlike). A list of host communities is as follows:
Summer Games: 1976, Stephenville-Corner Brook; 1980, Burin Peninsula; 1984, Botwood-Bishop's Falls; 1988, Mount Pearl; 1992, Harbour Grace-Carbonear; 1996, Conception Bay South; 2000, Mount Pearl.; Winter Games: 1978, Gander-Grand Falls; 1982, Labrador City-Wabush; 1987, Corner Brook; 1990, Lewisporte; 1994, Clarenville; 1998, Labrador City-Wabush.