Twillingate was first visited by the London Missionary Society in 1799. By 1831, the first Methodist Congregation in Twillingate was holding secret meetings in the home of one of its members. From these meetings it can be said that Methodism began in Twillingate.
In 1841, the Methodist Church appointed Rev. William Marshall as the first regular missionary to serve what was known as the Green Bay Circuit. He was stationed at Twillingate and traveled throughout the District visiting the scattered communities. Despite its early beginnings, Twillingate's first Methodist Minister, Rev. William Marshall didn't arrive until 1842. Shortly after his arrival, Rev. Marshall oversaw the building of the congregations first church. Rev. Marshall held his last service in Twillingate on December 31, 1845 and died on January 9, 1846. From 1842-1859, the whole of Green Bay was ministered by one minister with headquarters in Twillingate. The circuit changed from Green Bay to Twillingate in 1859 and a new chapel was built there in 1860.
On February 14, 1868, Twillingate suffered a great loss when fire destroyed both the church and mission house. Within a year from the fire, the people of Twillingate had rebuilt the church and it was dedicated in June, 1869. The Methodist Church in Twillingate had a long history, which resulted in the establishment of several churches in the area. The growth of Methodism in the Twillingate Circuit was rapid, especially under the guidance of T.W. Atkinson, Levi Curtis and J.K. Curtis.
The appointments on the circuit are Twillingate North, with a new church seating 600; Twillingate South, where the parsonage is and a church seating 1000, Little Harbour, Crow Head, Bluff Head Cove and Gilliard's Cove. Twillingate became affiliated with the United Church after the union in June 1925.
In the late 1970's and 1980's three of these congregations, Twillingate South, Twillingate North and Little Harbour, made plans to replace their three church buildings with one central edifice. On May 24, 1984, the three congregations participated in a sod-turning ceremony at the site of the new church. The cornerstone was laid in 1986 and Central United Church was opened and dedicated to the glory of God on Sunday afternoon, May 31, 1987.
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Title based on content of the fonds
These fonds consists of parish registers of the pastoral charge and records generated by the Twillingate Pastoral Charge. The records relate to the activities of the pastoral charge and its functional bodies which include: membership, board and committee records, women's and youth groups records and finance records of the pastoral charge and recording of vital statistics.
The fonds are arranged in the following series: Baptism, Marriage and Burial Records, 1853-1979; Membership Records, 1868-1899; Board and Committee Records, 1865-1908; Education, 1875-1909 and 1912-1931; Women's Groups Records, 1939-1956; Youth Groups Records, 1930-1961; Church Histories, 1930-1961; Financial Records, 1903-1959; Annual Reports, 1974, 1984 and 1996; Publications, 1964; Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1868, 1946-1980.
Twillingate was the headquarters of the Green Bay Circuit until 1859 when the circuit changed to Twillingate . The records of the Twillingate Pastoral Charge were maintained by the pastoral charge until they were transferred to the United Church Conference Archives in September 1978.
Other records relating to the Twillingate Harbour Pastoral Charge fonds may be found in the Green Bay Circuit records.
No restrictions
Finding aid is available.
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Series consists of records relating to the activities of the Ladies Association and the United Church Women's Group. Their activities included fund-raising and social activities of the church. Also included is attendance record of the group at their monthly meetings.
Series includes: Ladies Association Accounts Book, 1946-1962; United Women's Minutes Book, 1949-1980; UCW Roll Call Book, 1963-1976; Gander Bay South UCW Minutes, 1975-1978.