Trio of churches exemplifies Bay Roberts heritage

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The construction of Central United Church on Water Street began on August 7th, 1905, with William T. Bowering of Coley’s Point serving as master builder and Samuel Mercer of Bay Roberts handling interior decoration. Bowering also built the church’s communion table. Central United Church opened on May 6, 1906, less than year after construction began. It is over 100 feet long and seats a thousand. The church suffered extensive damage due to a fire in 1917, but was ultimately saved by churchgoers.
Over the past 200 years, three St. Matthew’s Anglican Churches have been built on Water Street, each new iteration bigger than last. The first, consecrated in 1827, was initially only 40 by 28 feet, though it was enlarged multiple times. The second, consecrated in 1861, was 80 by 55 feet and could seat 900 people. Construction for the current Saint Matthew’s Anglican Church began in 1911, and the church was consecrated in 1916. Seating 1100 people, it is one of the largest wooden churches in Newfoundland and Labrador. The church’s decorative dome was built by Coley’s Point resident Samuel Greenland.
Before the 1850s, Coley’s Point residents were served by churches of other communities such as Harbour Grace, Port de Grave, and Bay Roberts. To accommodate an increasing population, Coley’s Point’s first church was built by Bareneed resident Samuel Batten. Seating 256 people, it was consecrated in 1861. However, in 1898, the church was torn down to make way for a new one. This led to the current St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church on Neck Road, which was consecrated in 1906. The church suffered some fire damage in 1943, but was discovered and extinguished quickly enough that it was not severe.
The Bay Roberts Heritage Society has installed information signs at each church where folks can read up on the history of the churches themselves.