St. Patrick's Parish Heritage Committee

06/07/2026

Another headstone feature from the Chapel Lane Cemetery. And another Ireland native who moved here and called Brigus home! Bridget Mandeville was likely one of the women who brought the open practice of Catholicism to the area.

Her inscription reads as follows:

"Bridget Mandeville
1804-1855

Sacred
To the memory of
BRIDGET MANDEVILLE
A NATIVE OF
CARRICK ON SUIR IRELAND
DIED
JANUARY 16 1855
AGED
51 years

May She rest in peace
Amen"

06/02/2026

Nice to see our Convent history panel is being enjoyed. The Convent is not only rich in history (see our last post to learn more), it's now rich in food and drink too!

P.S. Our exterior information panels in Brigus, Cupids, and Marysvale will be back up soon!

Does the RDF (Rain, Drizzle, Fog) have you chilled to the bone yet? Rainy days like these call for a warm mug-up at Convent Cafe. Drop in and heat up with our fresh brew, crafted with premium beans from Gros Morne Coffee Roasters! ☕️✨

Mug handcrafted by Coastal Gems Glassblowing & Pottery

05/31/2026

On September 11th, 1861, Mary Barron - a nineteen year old, recent postulant of the Sisters of Mercy - travelled aboard the 'Ellen Gisborne' from St. John's to Brigus. Alongside her were three other sisters, all under the age of 26, who had been tasked with establishing and maintaining the first Sisters of Mercy foundation on the island, outside of St. John's.

One year previous to this, Reverend Edward O'Keefe had overseen the building of a convent. Upon landing in Brigus, the sisters - Mary Theresa Slattery, Mary de Chantel O'Keefe, Mary of the Angel Banks, and our young postulant, Miss Barron - made quick work to establish one of the highest educational standards in the area.

Throughout the Covent's long history as a school, many nuns went on to serve the parish, particularly the children, through their rolls as teachers. According to the Sisters of Mercy Archives, the sisters spoke French fluently and had several French classics within their small library. A fee was charged to students looking to study French, piano, solo lessons in singing, drawing, or painting. For general education (including writing, reading, history, and needlework), no fee was charged. By 1887, the average enrollment was sixty students. Despite their small size, the students accomplishments were frequently cited by the diocese and within local newspapers.

Do you have any memories of St. Joseph's? Were you educated by the Sisters of Mercy? Let us know!

05/10/2026

Life in the Parish: Cupids

For many the church was a centerpiece in their lives growing up. You would go to church every Sunday, you knew your community by seeing and talking to them in church, events would be held in a parish building, and if you lived in smaller communities within the parish, you would often go to school in the same place your Sunday service may be held.

Therefore, these collection of photographs often show the second Sacred Heart School and Chapel, despite the people in them just going for a walk or posing in their best dress. Stay tuned for a future post with more information about the schools and chapels of Cupids!

Many of these photos feature families who lived in and around the Riverhead area in Cupids. The Hurleys and Laracys in particular make an appearance in all of these photographs. Details about each photo are in their captions and can be seen when you click on the photos! Do you recognize anyone?

Did you grow up in Cupids? We would love to see some more photos and read any stories you have!

05/02/2026

This piece of beautiful woodwork once called the Palace in Brigus its home. Crafted by self-taught furniture maker Henry William Winter, who made many pieces by hand and with simple machinery (such as a foot operated lathe), you can now go see a piece of St. Patrick's Parish history at The Rooms!

William Winter was born on August 12th, 1864, and died June 12th, 1936. He is buried in the All Hallows Roman Catholic Cemetery in North River.

This beautiful sideboard was crafted by Henry William Winter, one of the province’s most accomplished furniture makers. It was made for the Roman Catholic Rectory in Brigus around 1900.

It can now be seen on display in the Level 4 museum. Drop by and experience the craftsmanship and traditions that shaped everyday life in Newfoundland and Labrador.

04/19/2026

One of two Walker headstones that are visible, this one is for James Walker, who died on Christmas day. James has one of the several headstones that Black Cat Cemetery Preservation worked to repair in Chapel Lane Cemetery!

The headstone reads as follows:

"James Walker
1768-1844

Sacred
To the Memory of
James Walker
Brigus
Who Departed this Life
December 25 1844
Aged 76 Years

Requiescat in Pace"

04/12/2026

Life in the Parish: Goulds Road

The history of St. Patrick's Parish may stretch back more than 200 years, but for some people, the most important history still lives as memory. Nothing makes that more true, than the memories of family and growing up within the Parish.

Featured in this post are some photographs of the Edmunds family of Goulds Road. The original source of many of these photos is Ron Edmunds, who features in some of them (albeit, as a young boy). It's thanks to the Edmunds family that the Heritage Committee has access to so many photographs of Goulds Road throughout the 20th century!

We hope you enjoy this post, and more yet to come centering around day-to-day life in the Parish. Captions can be found on the photos!

Did you grow up on Goulds Road? We'd love to hear some stories or see some photographs you may have!

04/05/2026

Whether you're headed to or just back from church with family, you're spending a lazy day in, or you're busy hunting for chocolate eggs, we at St. Patrick's Parish Heritage Committee wish you a happy Easter!

Also enjoy this photograph of a very snowy day (much like today!) just outside St. Joseph's Convent in Brigus, date unknown.

03/22/2026

For Catholic families throughout the Parish's history, one of the most important ceremonies that took place (and still takes place!) within the church was one's First Holy Communion. A part of a young person's initiation into the church, this was a great point of pride for many. As the photographs that accompany this post show, it was an occasion worth dressing up for!

These six photos are only some of the many that St. Patrick's Parish Heritage Committee has access to. If you are interested in looking at some more please visit:
https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/ich_avalon/search/searchterm/Children!StPatricksParish/field/subjec!subcol/mode/exact!all/conn/and!and

Have any photos of your own First Communion? We'd love to see them!

03/08/2026

Although today the building is unrecognizable as the school it once was, Bishop O'Neill in Brigus was once the seat of many great memories for those throughout the parish. Not least of which was the yearly Winter Carnival which would most often take place in late February or early March. The carnival would last an entire school week, and feature many indoor and outdoor activities.

Featured here are three articles from the Compass which talk about the Winter Carnival at various points in the 1980s. Games played include three legged races, a dart tournament, tug-o-war, a talent show, and a toboggan race, to name a few. There would also be contests like snow sculpting and a mascot parade, with ribbons and badges given out to those who won.

Do you have any fonds memories or photographs from your own Winter Carnival? We would love to see them!