Fondos - Anglican Parish of Lake Melville

The Parish of Lake Melville (or the Parish of Happy Valley as it was originally known) was established in 1957. Prior to this the people who lived in the area were served by the priest from the Parish of Cartwright on his bi-yearly trips up the Labrador coast. Deacon Chloe Adams came to serve the people in December of 1956, and then the first rector was appointed, the Rev. Stewart Payne, in 1957. The church and rectory in Happy Valley were built by the residents, with the cornerstone of St. Andrew's church being laid in August of 1959 and the finished building being dedicated in November of the same year. Since that time St. Andrew's has been the main point of the parish, which also included Northwest River and, at times, Rigolet.