Our Lady of Mercy Church
Canada /
Newfoundland and Labrador /
Stephenville /
World
/ Canada
/ Newfoundland and Labrador
/ Stephenville
World / Canada / Newfoundland and Labrador / Division No. 4
church, heritage, Roman Catholic church
Roman Catholic
The church was built under the guidance of Father James Joy, the first resident priest on the Port-au-Port Peninsula. He was minister from 1900 until 1933. In addition to his efforts in constructing Our Lady of Mercy, he was known as a social reformer and leader.
In October 1912 the noted architect William F. Butler of St. John's designed what became the largest wooden Catholic church in Newfoundland, Our Lady of Mercy Church in Port-au-Port. Two years later construction began on the church, which today has a seating capacity of 1,000. Residents expected every able-bodied man and youth old enough to work to donate one week of work per year to the project. The church was built to serve the Catholic population on the eastern end of the Port-aux-Port Peninsula.
An impressive structure, the church is situated on a narrow isthmus separating St. Georges and Port-au-Port Bays, and stands 35 m. (115 ft.) tall. Our Lady of Mercy's spectacular exterior is matched by its interior. The ornate interior is a result of local craftsmanship, gifts to the church and imported religious paraphernalia. The parishioners imported the wood for the interior from mainland Canada, with the ornate designs being completed by local craftsmen. The same craftsmen also made the pews. Residents, at the time of construction and in subsequent years, donated many statues to the church. In addition, St. Patrick's church in St. John's donated the decorative pulpit in 1925.
The spectacular Our Lady of Mercy Church was made a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in May 1997.
The church was built under the guidance of Father James Joy, the first resident priest on the Port-au-Port Peninsula. He was minister from 1900 until 1933. In addition to his efforts in constructing Our Lady of Mercy, he was known as a social reformer and leader.
In October 1912 the noted architect William F. Butler of St. John's designed what became the largest wooden Catholic church in Newfoundland, Our Lady of Mercy Church in Port-au-Port. Two years later construction began on the church, which today has a seating capacity of 1,000. Residents expected every able-bodied man and youth old enough to work to donate one week of work per year to the project. The church was built to serve the Catholic population on the eastern end of the Port-aux-Port Peninsula.
An impressive structure, the church is situated on a narrow isthmus separating St. Georges and Port-au-Port Bays, and stands 35 m. (115 ft.) tall. Our Lady of Mercy's spectacular exterior is matched by its interior. The ornate interior is a result of local craftsmanship, gifts to the church and imported religious paraphernalia. The parishioners imported the wood for the interior from mainland Canada, with the ornate designs being completed by local craftsmen. The same craftsmen also made the pews. Residents, at the time of construction and in subsequent years, donated many statues to the church. In addition, St. Patrick's church in St. John's donated the decorative pulpit in 1925.
The spectacular Our Lady of Mercy Church was made a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in May 1997.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates: 48°33'23"N 58°43'22"W
- Faithworks Centre 423 km
- Church of SS Simon and Jude, Tignish PEI 436 km
- DORJE DENMA LING MEDITATION CENTER 472 km
- DORJE DENMA LING KASUNG LAND 473 km
- Atlantic Baptist Univeristy 535 km
- Monastery of Our Lady of Calvary 542 km
- Penobsquis Baptist Church 589 km
- Rothesay Baptist Church and Valley Christian Academy 653 km
- Saint Joachim Catholic Church 662 km
- Portland United Church 667 km
- Mount Howley 42 km
- The Tableland Mountains 58 km
- King George IV Preserve 74 km
- Glover island 78 km
- Grand Lake 90 km
- Victoria Lake 104 km
- Granite Lake 127 km
- Red Indian Lake 138 km
- Lake Meelpaeg 160 km
- Saint-Pierre and Miquelon 256 km