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Corporate body · 1986-

The Norman's Cove Pastoral Charge was formed in 1986 within the Avalon Presbytery, Newfoundland Conference of the United Church of Canada. Rev. Ebbie W. Snow became its first minister. The appointments of the charge were Norman's Cove, Thornlea, and Fairhaven.

Although Norman's Cove was one of the first communities to be visited by Methodist missionaries in Newfoundland, it first appeared on the circuit list in the 1880s as part of the Railroad Mission with Chapel Arm as the centre. During its history, the congregation have been part of the various missions and pastoral charges formed on and around the isthmus. In the late 1880s, Norman's Cove became a congregation of the Whitbourne Mission, which was re-named Bay Bulls Arm Mission in 1911, with headquarters in Sunnyside.

The date of construction of the first Methodist church in Norman's Cove is uncertain, but a report on a missionary meeting held there in December 1913 stated, "The church was spotlessly clean, varnished and renovated for the occasion." A replacement church was dedicated in 1923.

In the late 1970s, Norman's Cove was listed as head of the pastoral charge. From 1980 to 1986, Norman's Cove was part of the Dunville-Norman's Cove Pastoral Charge, which included the appointments of Norman's Cove, Dunville, Fairhaven, and Thornlea.

Corporate body · 1885-

Nipper's Harbour Pastoral Charge, established in 1885, was formerly part of Little Bay Islands Pastoral Charge and at one time was associated with Tilt Cove, Bett's Cove and White Bay. The pastoral charge was established to administer to the religious needs of the residents of Nippers Harbour and this pastoral charge boundary extended to Snooks Arm, Woodstock and Pacquet. Church records indicate that baptisms and marriages were being performed at Nipper's Harbour as early as 1874.

Because of the needs of Tilt Cove, the boundaries of the Nipper's Harbour Mission were extended from Three Arms to Cape John in 1888. In 1890 the boundaries of Nipper's Harbour Mission were extended again to include a larger area. The Little Bay, Nipper's Harbour and White Bay Mission's were readjusted resulting in Three Arms, Harry's Harbour and Jackson Cove and the whole of principal places included in the White Bay Mission being added to the Nipper's Harbour Mission. Nipper's Harbour Mission was divided again the following year and Tilt Cove was removed and renamed the Tilt Cove Mission with boundaries extending from Tilt Cove to La Scie with the remaining communities under the Nipper's Harbour Mission.

Nipper's Harbour and Tilt Cove were recorded together as a mission in 1895 with a total of 443 members. Edwin Moore and J.C. Sydney were listed as missionaries for the charge. Although the exact date of the building of a church in Nipper's Harbour could not be determined, records show that the Nipper's Harbour church was enlarged in 1896.

After 1925 the following communities were included in the Nipper's Harbour pastoral charge: Burlington, Smith's Harbour, Rouge Harbour, Middle Arm and Indian Burying Place.

On December 22, 1927, the United Church people of Nipper's Harbour sustained a great loss by destruction of their church by fire. This church was valued at $6,000 and was built by the congregation.

In 1928 its restoration was begun by Rev. J.D. Bourne, who organized a church rebuilding committee, and they set to work to erect another. The church was officially opened in 1929, built on the site of the old United Church and is still in operation today.

Corporate body

Methodism in Musgravetown dates back to the 1860's and by the late 1800's Methodism was well rooted in Goose Bay. Congregations were active in Musgravetown, Bloomfield, Brooklyn West (Lethbridge), Portland and a little later Brooklyn. Musgravetown had a church building, a parsonage and a circuit clergyman.

In early records, Musgravetown was known by another name - Goose Bay . The name of the community was changed to Musgravetown after the then Governor of Newfoundland, Sir Anthony Musgrave (1864-1869). Musgravetown was supplied from Bonavista until 1872 when it was formed into a mission under J. P. Bowell. With the creation of the Musgravetown Methodist Circuit in 1872, among the communities served by this circuit was Hopeville later South East Arm, Brooklyn West, and Lethbridge. Lethbridge is just a few miles from Musgravetown and lies in the S.E. corner of Goose Bay in Bonavista Bay.

Although Musgravetown was the seat of the Musgravetown Circuit, each of the communities under its charge had its own little place of worship, often in the form of a school chapel as in the case of Portland and Brooklyn. Lethbridge was no exception. As early as 1874/75, records show money being collected for the church fund. Lethbridge's church was built when Mr. Broughton was on the field. Lethbridge's church was dedicated on 8 February 1903 by Rev. J.C. Sidley. To the great credit of its members, this church was opened entirely free from debt.

In February 1912, during the ministry of Rev. William Harris the church at Musgravetown was destroyed by fire. Almost immediately plans were made to build a church on the site of the old church. The building was commenced in June, the cornerstone laid in November and the church completed December 7, 1913.

On June 10, 1925, the Methodist Church in Newfoundland, with other Methodist Churches joined with some Presbyterian and Congregational Churches to form the United Church of Canada. At the time of the union, the Musgravetown Circuit had four preaching places: Brooklyn, Lethbridge, Portland and Winter Brook with a total membership of 177 families.

By the mid 1960's, the United Church Congregation at Musgravetown had grown enough to be classed as an entity unto itself, with their place of worship, their Heritage United Church in the community. Some of the congregations once embraced by the Musgravetown Circuit were placed with the Summerville Circuit, which, since the late 1950's, has enjoyed Circuit status. The Memorial United Church at Lethbridge became part of the Summerville Circuit, which at that time also included Brooklyn, Charleston, Princeton, Portland and Summerville.

Musgravetown remained an entity to itself until 1994 after which it was combined with Bloomfield to form the Musgravetown-Bloomfield pastoral charge with a family membership of 240 families.

Corporate body · 1874-

Musgrave Harbour, formerly known as Muddy Hole, was colonized by people from Bonavista and Western Bay. In its early years, Musgrave Harbour was visited by Methodist preachers from Greenspond. From 1870-1874, Solomon Matthews did faithful pioneer work there. In 1874, when the Newfoundland Conference of the Methodist Church was organized and a rearrangement of Circuits and Missions was deemed necessary, Musgrave Harbour became a separate mission with the Rev. Henry Lewis as its first minister.

Previously to 1874, Musgrave Harbour was the first born of the Greenspond Circuit. John B. Wheeler, Esq., J.P., was, for many years, the leading lay worker combining in himself a local preacher, a superintendent of the Sunday School, circuit steward and other offices both civil and religious. He was a most acceptable local preacher. The people of this charge are noted for their cordial cooperation with their ministers. Solomon Hann and Ernest W. Mouland entered the ministry from this circuit, and others fill honored positions in the civil life of the Island and other lands.

Musgrave Harbour had the following appointments: Aspen Cove, Ladle Cove and Milford along with Wadham Island which was an appointment of this circuit during the summer when fishermen from other islands attend. Each of the communities under Musgrave Harbour's charge had its own little place of worship. The congregation of Aspen Cove built a new church in 1960. The foundation was poured for Ladle Cove's new church in November 1957 and the church, which is presently in use, was opened for worship in October 1961. The old church in Ladle Cove, which was opened in 1894 by Rev. Thomas Darby, was closed the same day as the new one was opened. Construction of a new church in Musgrave Harbour began in early 1969 and was completed in October of the same year. Wadham Island also had a small church built there.

Corporate body · 1956-

The first Methodist Church in Mount Pearl, known as First United Church, had its beginnings as a congregation in 1956. The congregation started out without a church building, so services of the congregation were held in a school auditorium and later a temporary building was secured which was once used by the Anglican church. Prior to that time, Glendale-Mount Pearl was a preaching place of the Topsail Pastoral Charge. Glendale and Mount Pearl were merged to become the town of Mount Pearl.

The first phase (the basement) of the present church was completed and dedicated in 1958. It was used for two years while money was being raised to finish the project. In 1959 the second phase of the building program was undertaken and completed. The new church was dedicated on October 22,1961 with Rev. Pearce J. Penney officiating. At the time of the dedication of the church, the Mount Pearl pastoral charge was administering to 135 families. Boundary changes in 1964 resulted in Topsail and Mount Pearl becoming separate charges.

By the early 1970's, Mount Pearl's population had nearly doubled and the effect of this increase in population could be seen in the First United Church services as they were now overcrowded. By 1981 the First United Church had undertook and executed a major job of renovating and extending the church in order to meet the needs of the growing membership in the church. In 1982 the total area from Kenmount Road to Brookfield Road including the Donovan's Industrial Park became the Town of Mount Pearl.

As the town continued to grow, the there was growth within the United Church as well and overcrowding became a problem A decision had to be made on whether to change boundaries and form a new congregation or form a Satellite congregation in conjunction with the First United Church. In the spring of 1988 a decision was made and a satellite congregation to First United Church was formed with a membership of 12. This congregation was named Trinity United and this congregation of people met at the Mount Pearl Junior High School for worship.

The membership has grown considerably since then but this congregation is still using the school for worship.

Custodial History: Before Mount Pearl became a pastoral charge on its own, it was part of the pastoral charge of Topsail. The vital statistics records and Boards and Service groups records are presently being maintained at the church office in Mount Pearl. Mount Pearl Pastoral Charge forwarded a small group of records to the United Church Archive. This accession included Annual Reports, Service Bulletin, Board and Committee Records, Financial Statements from Trinity United and First United Church.

Corporate body · 1856-

Little Bay Islands was an appointment of the old Green Bay Circuit. In 1856, its membership was 16 and increases followed in 1859 when the Society class shows 22 members at Little Bay Islands.

The first church or Meeting House for Little Bay Islands was a log house with an open fireplace. It was built halfway between the two harbours, Northern and Southern Harbours. This meeting house lasted for several years because it was not until 1866 that the second Church was built. This church was built on the opposite side of the road from the old cemetery and Rev. F. Scott was the first minister on record, having ministered there in 1867.

The community of Little Bay Islands was supplied from Exploits previous to 1873 when this missions name appeared on the minutes with Charles Myers as its pastor. Sometimes Pilley's Island and Long Island missions were connected with Little Bay Islands and sometimes worked separately. The first parsonage was built in 1874. Two new churches were erected in Little Bay Islands in 1875.

During the year of 1891, the Little Bay Island Mission was divided and the northern part of the mission was renamed Little Bay Island Mission and the southern part was known as Pilley's Island Mission.

Records indicate that a new church was dedicated on March 1, 1885 with preachers being Revs. J.N. Vickers and G. Noble. From this mission, Walter G. Jones, Harold Parsons, William Grimes and W.J. Morris entered the Ministry. According to the Little Bay Circuit Accounts Books 1889-1911, the boundaries of the Little Bay Islands Circuit included the following communities: Boat Harbour, Harry's Harbour, Jackson's Cove, Little Bay, Three Arms, Wild Bight and Wolf Cove.

After 1925, the following communities were included in the Little Bay Islands Circuit: Lush's Bight, where a new church was built in 1921, Cutwells Arm; Wards Harbour, Wellman's Cove, Mile's Cove, Port Anson, Long Island and Beaumont where a new church was built in 1924.

Corporate body · 1876-1995

Lewisporte Mission, formerly known as Marshallville, was visited by a minister from Exploits as early as 1842 and he conducted services in people's homes. The first church was a log cabin which was constructed in 1876, the same year of settlement and served the Methodist community as Church, Sunday school, and Day school. Lewisporte Mission had the following appointments: Lewisporte, South Side, Stanhope (Scissors Cove), Salt Pond, and Little Burnt Bay. In 1889, Big Burnt Bay (Lewisporte) became associated with the Laurenceton Charge and became a regular preaching point and the first minister was an Englishman by the name of Samuel J. Russell. In 1891, the name of the community was changed from Burnt Bay to Marshallville.

In 1901-02, Lewisporte became a separate charge with its own resident minister, having received the name of Lewisporte the year before. The preaching points on the Lewisporte Charge in 1901 were Lewisporte (north side and south side), Scissors Cove (now Stanhope), Salt Pond (now Embree) and Little Burnt Bay. Glenwood and Millertown were included in the Lewisporte Mission in 1903 and another church building was constructed to replace the first church. A forest fire in 1905 destroyed almost all the buildings in Lewisporte, including the parsonage which had only been built in 1904. Rev. Edwin Moore saved some of his books by burying them but all the church records were lost. Because of the boggy conditions where the second church was built, it was unsuitable for the congregation and they decided to dismantle the church in 1913. A new church was built and opened in the spring of 1916. At this time, the Methodist population of Lewisporte was recorded as 488.

In 1925, the Methodist church of Newfoundland entered into a Church Union and became a part of the United Church of Canada. A church was built in Porterville, a preaching place of Lewisporte, in the 1940's. At that time there were six families living at Porterville.

In 1957, the church at Lewisporte was officially given the name "St. Matthew's United Church." This building was located on what is now the parking lot of the present church. Due to a rapidly growing congregation, it was decided in 1960 that a new church building was needed. The last service in the old church was held on September 8, 1963. The corner stone for the new church was laid by Dr. Hardie in a special ceremony after the morning service. The old church was taken down in the fall of 1963 and the site used for a parking lot for the church. On April 19th, work started on the new church and the building was finished in about ten months. On March 15, 1964, the official opening and dedication of the present St. Matthew's United Church took place.

Only five ministers have served the church throughout its history. Worthy of note is the Reverend Arthur Elliott, whose tenure extended from 1968 to 1988. Rev. Elliott's name is revered not only by the congregation of St. Matthew's but by the whole town of Lewisporte.

The United Church has played a very important role in the life of the town of Lewisporte. Its history can be traced back to the first settlers, Mr. And Mrs. Robert Woolfrey. Its past has been one of continual spiritual and physical growth. The church has grown and prospered with the development of the town and is presently an active, vibrant force in the community. The congregation has steadily increased and presently consists of 500 families.

Corporate body · 1911-

The first Methodist Minister recorded as being in the King's Point area was Rev. George Bond, who visited Three Arms in 1877-78, a short distance from King's Point. From 1883 until 1894, Harry's Harbour was part of the Little Bay Methodist Mission.

In 1894 it became part of the Nipper's Harbour -Tilt Cove Mission which included: Tilt Cove, Nipper's Harbour, Rogues Harbour, North West Arm (Burlington), South West Arm (King's Point), Jackson's Cove, La Scie, Shoe Cove Bight, Shoe Cove Brook, Caplin Cove, Indian Burying Place, Button Hole Cove, Harry's Harbour and Three Arms.

The boundaries changed again in 1897 and Harry's Harbour went back to the Little Bay Mission. In 1901 they were transferred to the Little Bay Islands Mission and were still a part of Little Bay Islands Mission in 1906. King's Point church was built in 1910 while it was part of the Little Bay Islands Mission.

In 1911 the King's Point Charge consisting of King's Point, Rattling Brook, Mansfield Point, Jackson's Cove, Harry's Harbour, and Three Arms was constituted and was ministered by Rev. R. H. Ball. Church Union took place in 1925 and the Methodist Church in Newfoundland became The United Church of Canada. At the time of Church Union in 1925, the mission included King's Point, Rattling Brook, Jackson's Cove and Harry's Harbour. Harry's Harbour church was dedicated for worship on May 22, 1927. The church stands where formerly stood a schoolhouse which was used also for divine worship.

In 1934 the pastoral charge was again divided, with King's Point and Rattling Brook being served by the Minister of Springdale, and Harry's Harbour, Jackson's Cove served by the Nipper's Harbour Minister. By 1951 King's Point again became a Pastoral Charge with its own Minister.

Construction of a new church commenced in King's Point in 1959 and, and when opened, served a membership of 154. Construction was started on a Manse there in 1963 and it was completed in 1964. Construction was started on a new church at Rattling Brook in 1976 and completed in 1977. This was their third church building over a period of seventy years.

Today, King's Point is a pastoral charge with preaching places at Harry's Harbour, Jackson's Cove and Rattling Brook.

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.