Parish of Bay of Islands

This was very likely the first Anglican Church in the Bay of Islands. The church on the beach stood for a good many years, until it was finally decided to erect a new church, 'St. Ambrose Church' on the present site in 1953.

In a letter from the Reverend J.J. Curling, it is noted that as of 1877 there was a school-chapel and a small parsonage or school master's house at Lark Harbour. There is mention in, "Remininscences of My Life" by Reverend U.Z. Rule, or a confirmatiuon service being held by Bishop Kelly in July 1871 in one of the houses at Lark Harbour. The first Church was erected in Lark Harbour around 1908, when the Reverend H. Petley was rector. This original church stood on the edge of the cemetery until 1962, when the present St. James church was first used.

Over the past 142 years, a total of 18 clergy have served in the parish. The parish has decreased in geographical size since that time, having at one point taken in the area covering both sides of the Bay of Islands, Corner Brook and as far north as Cow Head. The Parish now covers the area on the south shore of the Bay of Islands from Halfway Point to Little Port. The Parish may well have decreased in area, but it is today a vibrant, Christ-centered parish of about 540 families, with a strong core of enthusiastic leaders.