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St. John the Baptist Church, Chapel Arm
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Prior to 1921, the Anglican people of Chapel Arm worshipped at St. John the Baptist,
which was located in the old cemetery, east of the present Rectory at Norman's Cove.
They continued to worship there until March 21, 1921. Then it was decided to take
down the Norman's Cove Church. Materials from the Church were brought to Chapel Arm including the bell,
some colored glass windows, and even the name. All were used in the first Church that was erected
in Chapel Arm. The last service in this first Church was a Morning Prayer at 11 a.m. on April 16, 1961,
conducted by Mr. G.R. Frampton, then a layman. The Church was demolished on May 8-14, 1961, to make room
for the present building on the same site.
Construction of the present St John the Baptist Church began on May 19, 1961. The seating capacity is
approximately for 250 people. Two of the windows from the Norman's Cove Church have been placed in the present Church - one in
the back of the building and one in the porch.
St. John the Baptist first opened for worship on December 10, 1961, with a Holy Communion Service by The Rev'd E. B. Cheeseman.
At this service, a number of gifts were donated by members of the congregation in memory of loved ones: Chalice, Paten, Baptismal Shell,
Prayer Books, Candle Extinguisher, Litany Book, Pulpit Bible, Funeral Bier, Litany Desk, Pulpit, Altar Missal Book, Wafer Box and $200 towards furnace, Altar and Altar
Hangings, Lattice Work, Communion Rail, Cushion for Bishop's Chair, Cabinet for Prayer Books & Visitor Book, Book for Prayer Desk, Pew Fronts,
Choir Pews, and a Church Flag. New church pews, two stained glass windows, and many other gifts have been given over the years for the Church in memory of loved ones.
St. John the Baptist was dedicated on January 7, 1962, by The Rt. Rev'd John A Meaden, then Bishop of Newfoundland & Labrador.
Bishop Meaden presided over an 8:30 a.m. Holy Communion Service, the Laying of the Cornerstone at 11 a.m. and the
Dedication Service that followed.
All debts being paid, Bishop John A. Meaden consecrated St. John the Baptist Church on November 21, 1965.
The first Baptism in the new Church was Owen Bartley Smith, son of Samuel and Emma Smith;
First marriage was between Stanley Branton and Alice Warren; and the first Burial was Charles Warren.
A Funeral Bier donated by Charles Warren at the opening of the Church was first used at his funeral service.
Today, St. John the Baptist Church serves an Anglican population of approximately 100 families. The church life
includes a fine choir, ACW, Servers, Altar Guild, a Sunday School, Bible Study, Life in the
Eucharist, Prayer Group and faithful worshippers.
In 2007, there were 6 Baptisms, 1 Marriage, and 3 Burials at St. John the Baptist. The congregation is served by The Rev'd Moses Tucker, Associate Priest,
and a strong team of loyal Licensed Lay Ministers.
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| Melany Warren, Natasha Warren, Stephanie Warren, Victoria Williams Back: Mr William Blundon, The Rt. Rev'd Cyrus Pitman, The Rev'd Sheila White
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