Devereux, Nicholas

Nicholas Devereux (1778-1845), Catholic priest, was a native of County Wexford, Ireland. It was assumed that he was born in the Bannow area in 1778. He was ordained a deacon in Ireland and arrived at St. John's, Newfoundland in 1816.

Devereux was ordained a priest in the old Cathedral on Henry Street by Bishop Thomas Scallan, becoming the first Catholic priest ordained in Newfoundland. Bishop Scallan described Rev. Devereaux as a "good, moral, and studious" young man.

Devereux's first pastoral appointment was as a curate in Sacred Heart Parish, Placentia, under Rev. Andrew Cleary, parish priest. In 1819, he was appointed a curate in Immaculate Conception Parish, Harbour Grace, where he ministered until 1830. That year, Devereux was appointed the first parish priest at Burin and he remained there for two years. In 1832, he was named parish priest of the ecclesiastical district of Bonavista Bay, with residence at King's Cove. His ministry included pastoral visitations to the northern areas of Bonavista Bay, including Tilting Harbour. He held that appointment from 1832 to 1845.

Rev. Devereux died at the parochial house, King's Cove, Bonavista Bay, on 25 April 1845, after a long and painful illness. He was buried in the parish cemetery at King's Cove.

Created - May 21, 2013

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