CHURCH

Sacred Heart Church in Fox Harbour was erected in 1919, but according to archival statistics a church building existed here in 1891. It is recorded again in the 1911 census records when the estimated value for church and land was $2500. It's not known for sure who was responsible for the planning and erection of the church, although a version gives credit to a Paddy Evans, while another has a Mr. Gale involved.  Whether Mr. Gale built or renovated later, it is known that a storm came up and demolished the work which had been done.  A gentleman in the community, Paddy Dreaddy who was known to have a humorous way with words is   reported to have commented "Gale put up: Gale took down."

Both the interior and exterior of our church has undergone many changes down through the years.  The earliest information available on renovations were those done by Father John Hunt, a curate in the late 1930's.  The interior walls, at this time, were very crude and covered with unpainted "tentest" with wainscotting on the lower walls.  He had the walls and ceiling of the sanctuary   painted for the first time and enhanced the appearance of the altar by attaching an oval shaped background which, at Christmas time, was decorated with coloured lights.  A wooden altar rail with a white cloth extending from end to end, separated the sanctuary from the rest of the church.  This cloth would be held under the chin by each communicant when receiving Holy Communion.

Father Dee, parish priest for Argentia area from 1922-1940 made some changes to the exterior of the building when he replaced the clapboard with brick siding.  This exterior covering remained on the church until 1950's.  As well, he is thought to have repainted the interior of the church.  A Fonse Hawco, a Mr. Dinn, and two others did the repair work at this time.

In 1945 Fox Harbour and Ship Harbour became an independent parish and in 1946 Father Collins became the resident priest here and proceeded to make a major change in the sanctuary.  Prior to this time, the sacristy was situated behind the altar with a separate entrance through which priest and altar servers entered. Father Collins wanted to include this space in the sanctuary so he built an extension on the northeast corner which became the new sacristy.   He then proceeded to utilize this extra space in the sanctuary by building a new, larger altar over which he placed a canopy upheld by columns.  Around this time, he also moved the main entrance to the church farther west, so that the congregation entered through a door in the tower.

Prior to 1951, the only source of heat in the church was a wood and coal stove.  The pipes extended out in the sacristy to give some added heat to this area. Father Charles Greene, who resided here from 1951-53, made the church much more comfortable when he had a furnace installed with radiators positioned throughout the building.  The furnace was housed in a room attached to the porch   of the church.  The installation was carried out by Tom Howe and John Bruce. It was indeed much easier to be devout in a well heated, comfortable building.

In July 1953, Father John B. Kent became parish priest, and in 1954 he hired O'Neil Contracting Co. from St. John's to give the church a major face lift.  New doors and windows were installed, including a large double front door with steps leading up to it. The outside walls were redone with 10" pine clapboard and the church was painted white with green trim.  With its high tower it was a very attractive, imposing structure and a suitable place of worship.

Historically, the church has been the focal point for the people of the community.  They took great pride in the upkeep and   maintenance of the building and also enhanced the interior by donating or contributing various religious objects.  At one time, our  church boasted a statue of Mary and Jesus, known as The Pieta, donated by James, Michael, and Henry Healey.  Life-like stations of the cross, statues of St. Anne, Mary and Joseph, a luminary with many brightly coloured vigil lights were also donated.

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