Holy Trinity Parish (Torbay, N.L. : Catholic)

The exact date of the founding of Holy Trinity Parish is somewhat uncertain. Primary and secondary sources give differing dates, including 1830, 1834, 1842, and 1845. However, 1845 seems the most likely date from which to mark the informal establishment of the parish since it was in 1845 that Rev. Edward Troy, the first resident Catholic priest, was appointed to Torbay. Prior to this appointment, Torbay and the surrounding area was served by priests travelling from St. John's (in 1830, the District of St. John's included the communities of Portugal Cove, Torbay, Pouch Cove, Topsail, and Petty Harbour). The establishment of Holy Trinity Parish in 1845 must be considered informal since Newfoundland was still a vicariate Apostolic and, as such, the ordinary hierarchy of the Catholic Church was not yet considered to be fully evolved in the colony. Since, technically, a parish is a portion of a diocese, no parishes can be said to have existed prior to the erection of Newfoundland as a diocese in 1847. However, the term "parish" was commonly used to refer to a geographic territory possessing a church and a resident priest (the term "district" was sometimes used).

Corpus Christi Chapel, built around 1834, was the first Catholic structure in Torbay. It was consecrated 5 June 1836 by Bishop Michael A. Fleming. On 9 October 1859, Bishop John T. Mullock laid the cornerstone for a church to replace the chapel. The church was consecrated and dedicated to the Holy Trinity in October 1863. This stone structure served the parish for more than 60 years until construction began on a larger wooden church to replace it. Archbishop Edward P. Roche laid the cornerstone of this building on 8 August 1919. It was completed sometime in 1922 and served the parish until 1988, when it was closed because of structural weakness. Construction on the current church began in 1989, and on 21 June 1992, it was officially opened by Archbishop James H. MacDonald.

The activities of Holy Trinity Parish were intimately intertwined with the operations of parochial schools. The first Roman Catholic school was a one-room structure built in 1850 (prior to this, classes were held in temporary quarters as early as 1843). In 1865, the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Congregation (Presentation Sisters) established St. Michael's Convent and School at Torbay. Charged with the responsibility of educating both Catholic boys and girls, St. Michael's co-existed with the original one-room school for several years. In 1918, the North Side School was opened in Torbay, offering grades one to seven from which graduating students were fed into St. Michael's Convent to complete higher grades. In 1956, with the opening of Holy Trinity School, St. Michael's and the North Side schools were phased out and the Presentation Sisters assumed responsibility for the new unified parochial school. In the 1980s, Holy Trinity High School was built and the former all-grade school became Holy Trinity Elementary. On 31 July 1986, St. Michael's Convent was closed and the Presentation Sisters withdrew from their parish teaching responsibilities. Direct parish involvement with Holy Trinity Elementary and High schools ceased after denominational education reforms were passed by the Provincial Government in 1997. They are now secular institutions.

Holy Trinity's boundaries have evolved since its inception in 1845. Initially, the parish encompassed the nearby communities of Flatrock, Outer Cove, and Middle Cove. However, the parishes of St. Agnes-St. Michael's (Pouch Cove-Flatrock) and St. Francis of Assisi (Outer Cove) were later established to serve the needs of the Catholic populations of these communities, contracting Holy Trinity's boundaries. The parish's boundaries now encompass only the community of Torbay.

Pastors who have served Holy Trinity Parish since its establishment in 1845 include: Edward Troy (1845-1872); Patrick J. Delaney, (Administrator? 1872); John Joseph Nugent, (Administrator? 1872); Richard V. Howley, (Administrator? 1872-1873); Michael J. Clarke (1873-1911); John J. St. John (1911-1917); John T. Ashley (1918-1926); John W. Carter (1927-1930); Alfred J. Maher (1930-1934); Michael J. Kennedy (1934-1935); James J. Greene (1935-1955); James A. Miller (1955-1969); Eric R. Lawlor (1969-1977); Charles G. Greene (1977-1987); John Hanton (1987-1994); Richard Hockman, Administrator (1994-1995); John Vickers, Administrator (1994-1998); Don Layden, Administrator (1995-1998); and David Butler (1998- ).

Structurally, Holy Trinity Parish is organized along lines similar to most Roman Catholic parishes, with various committees and lay societies active in the administration of parochial affairs, including the Parish Council, the Finance Committee, the Liturgy Committee, the Parish Family Aid Group, the Catholic Women's League, the Knights of Columbus, and the Holy Name Society (this list is not exhaustive).

Created - April 24, 2013

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