St. Matthew's Church, North Harbour Placentia Bay, Newfoundland
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| North Harbour, Placentia Bay
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| St. Matthew's Anglican Church, North Harbour
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North Harbour, Placenta Bay is a community that grew significantly as a result of resettlement. In 1969, incoming
families got together and converted a school building into a church building after moving it to a new site donated by Mr.
Donald Slade. It was enlarged to 25' x 40' and completed free labor. It was used constantly until it got into a state
of disrepair. In 2000, the congregation of St. Matthew's was given permission to construct a new building for worship due
to the impractical costs of repairing the old structure.
With the encouragement of the pastor, The Rev'd Willam Strong, a building committee was formed, and plans were made to
erect the new Church in the spring of 2001. Through the fund raising efforts of the committee, donations, and a grant
and loan from the Anglican Foundation, construction began in June of that year, just behind the old structure.
The new St. Matthew's Church was opened on December 22, 2002, with our Bishop, The Rt. Rev'd Donald F. Harvey,
officiating. The Rev'd Sheila White, Rector of the Parish of the Holy Spirit, was the Priest at that time. Before the
new Church was officially opened, Bishop Harvey deconsecrated the old building. He also presided over a Service of
Confirmation at which three youths: Matthew Fiander, Cara Drover, and Rebecca Hollett; and one adult, Glenys Upshall,
were confirmed. This was a great day for the parishoners of St. Matthew's! They were delighted to have their Church
full of people and Rev'd Strong back for a visit to see the finished project.
A special feature of St. Matthew's is its beautiful stained glass window. The middle section, given in memory of
one its hard working members, Mr. Leslie Dean, was removed from the old Church and placed in the new one.
Two side panels were added, one in memory of George and Adelaide Upshall by the family and the other in
memory of Chesley Hodder by the family. The whole window was encased in vinyl, which was donated by Mrs. Hilda Dean,
wife of Leslie Dean.
Most of the furniture from the old Church, including the old pump organ, were placed in the new building. The altar
and pulpit came from the Anglican Church in Gallants, which had closed. Mrs. Hilda Dean, who was one of our
outstanding members, paid to have these items shipped to our Church. The majority of the windows were given by members of the congregation, some of
whom have now passed on to eternity. There were many other items donated in memory of loved ones by members and friends.
Plaques are to be placed in the Church in recognization of these donations.
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A small electric organ has now been purchased to replace the old pump organ, which was sold. The Church bell
and the font came from the old Church in Kingwell. The font developed a crack in the base and was
repaired by Mr. David Slade. At least three generations of Slades: David, son Dwayne, and grandson Devon have been
baptized from this font. The bell has been refurbished by Mr. John Fiander and placed on a new stand by Mr. Percy Upshall.
The finishing touch to the new building was a new tower that was constructed by Mr. Percy Upshall and erected
on Saturday, May 13, 2006. This would have been Mrs. Hilda Dean's birthday, and she would have been delighted to
have two of her greatest wishes realized - a tower on the Church and the bell refurbished and on a new stand. Both items are
dedicated to her memory.
The first burial in the new church was Paulette Joan Fiander, daughter of John & Susie Fiander; the first baptism was Devon Chesley Slade,
son of Dwayne and Kate Slade; and the first marriage was between Dora Fiander and Rex Lockyer.
In 2007, there was one marriage and one burial in St. Matthew's. The Rev'd Lloyd Collett,
Honorary Aassistant, presently serves as pastor to this community along with The Rev'd
Rowena Wareham, Deacon; and a team of dedicated Licensed Lay Ministers. Our Priest & Rector,
The Rev'd Canon Glenn Small, is currently on sick leave.
Worship services are held weekly and the congregation
would welcome visitors at any time.
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