Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
General material designation
- Architectural drawing
- Graphic material
- Textual record
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Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title based on canonical decree found in the fonds
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Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
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Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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1902-1986, predominant 1950-1971 (Creation)
- Creator
- St. Thomas of Villanova Parish (Topsail, N.L. : Catholic)
Physical description area
Physical description
12 cm of textual records
4 photographs
1 architectural drawing
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Administrative history
St. Thomas of Villanova was established 15 September 1982 when the Archbishop of St. John's, Alphonsus L. Penney, dismembered St. Edward's Parish (Topsail) to create three new parishes: St. Thomas of Villanova (Topsail); Holy Family (Paradise); and St. Edward's (Kelligrews). St. Edward's Parish (Topsail) was established in 1877 and its original boundaries encompassed the whole of the south shore of Conception Bay. With the erection of St. Thomas of Villanova,however, the communities of Topsail Pond, Long Pond, Three Island Pond, Chamberlains, Manuels, and Topsail became a separate entity (a decree issued by the Archbishop 14 September 1982 transferred the seat of St. Edward's Parish from Topsail to Kelligrews, allowing the former community to become the seat of St. Thomas of Villanova). Assets of the former St. Edward's Parish were proportionately divided among the three new parishes created from the division.
After the erection of the parish in 1982, the church in Topsail, built between 1916 and 1922, underwent a name change from St. Edward's to St. Thomas of Villanova. This building was in use until 1986, when it could no longer accommodate the needs of the parish. A sod-turning ceremony for a new church was held in Powers Court, Manuels, 31 July 1985 and the cornerstone was laid 22 September of the same year. The official opening and dedication of the new parish church and centre, annexed to the Powers Court parish hall, was conducted by Archbishop Penney 25 November 1986.
St. Thomas of Villanova Parish actively supported the parochial schools located within its boundaries St. Thomas of Villanova School and Holy Spirit School (later, High School). However, parish support for these schools ceased after denominational education reforms were passed by the Provincial Government in 1997. They are now secular institutions.
A Steering Committee was established in 1982, shortly after the erection of St. Thomas of Villanova, charged with the responsibility of establishing a parish structure. A Parish Council was formed to administer parish affairs and activities and several committees and sub-committees were struck to aid in this cause, including the Finance Committee, the Building Committee, the Properties Committee, and the Liturgical Committee. In addition, church lay societies, including the Catholic Women's League, the Knights of Columbus, and the PowersCourt Pathfinders, were founded within the parish.
Pastors who have served the parish since its establishment in 1982 include: Gregory Hogan (1982-88?); Patrick J. Kennedy, Administrator (1988?); John Wallis, Administrator ([1988?]); James Doody, Administrator (1991-92); and Charles Hogan, Administrator (1988-1991, 1992-).
Custodial history
Scope and content
Fonds consists of correspondence relating to parish building projects, property, finances, and schools (1902, 1929, 1950-82); financial statements (1916-28); architectural plan of proposed parish hall [195-]; drawings delineating parish property boundaries (1951-65); mortgage (1948); death list for Topsail District (1906); canonical decree establishing parish and defining its boundaries (1982); newspaper clippings relating to parish history (1986); and 4 photographs. Fonds includes some photocopies.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Arrangement
The bulk of the records comprising this fonds appear to have been culled from the St. Edward's Parish fonds on the basis of their subject matter, namely, Topsail. The community of Topsail formed the seat of St. Edward's Parish until 1982, when it was transferred to the newly erected St. Thomas of Villanova Parish. As a result of this arrangement, an artificial order has been imposed upon the fonds.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Location of originals
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Restrictions on access
Restrictions on access may apply. Consult the archivist.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Finding aids
Box list available.
Associated materials
See St. Edward's Parish fonds for records created prior to the establishment of St. Thomas of Villanova Parish in 1982.
Accruals
The fonds is open. Further accruals expected.
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Dates of creation, revision and deletion
Created - April 22, 2013
Language of description
- English