The earliest mission in the region of the Bonavista Peninsula was located at Bonavista. Sometime around 1820, the Mission of Catalina became independent from its predecessor. In an article written by The Rev’d J. T. Hiscock for the Centenary of St Peter’s, we read, “Catalina and neighbouring settlements formed a part of the larger mission of Bonavista…and the clergy of Bonavista visited and gave the church’s administration.” (Fisherman’s Advocate: 10/10/1947 p. 5) The people of this region frequented Bonavista to receive such services as the church provided when the clergy were unable to attend in Catalina.

Around 1843, a Catalina schoolmaster was ordained (by Bishop Feild) to the Diaconate in the person of William Netten. The following dates are on record:

1. From 1841: a list of subscribers committing to annual support for a separate mission.

2. The first baptism service by Rev’d Netten on October 13th, 1843.

3. The first wedding on October 30th, 1844 actually placed him on record as residing in Catalina and presiding at St Peter’s.

4. The Rev’d Wm Netten presided over worship until 1879 at St Peter’s.

As you can see, not much was recorded about the first St Peter’s Church, but did lead to the construction of the current Anglican Church in Catalina, which is the community’s second church named for St. Peter. It was constructed near the site of the first church. Donations for the new church began in 1860 when the minister, The Rev’d William Netten, gave £5 for the project. By 1863, the parish had raised sufficient funds to begin construction. John Harvey supervised the project, which was finished in 1873. The substantial cost of the project was largely borne by the congregation, who contributed approximately £1,500 over the fifteen years of construction. 

The central nave represents a classic example of the Gothic revival style of Anglican churches built in rural Newfoundland throughout the nineteenth century. The 22-metre steeple has been a major landmark in the Catalina area since its construction. The decor reflects a Puritan temperament, with a preference for austerity rather than ornamentation. The church still contains the original pews and can seat 450 people. (Source -Registered Heritage Structures Bibliography) The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador declared St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Catalina a Heritage Structure in June 1987.

Fast forward to August 2023: a committee was struck to plan a celebration for the 150th Anniversary of St Peter’s. The original date of commemoration was not available on record, but indications were that it was an October event. The 100th Anniversary was celebrated on October 5th in 1973. 

From records of 1873, we observed that baptism records were interrupted for an extended period with three babies registered for October 19th of that year. It was possible the interruption signalled the change from St Peter’s I to St Peter’s II. With no guarantees the date was planned for October 19th and 20th, 2023. On October 19th, St Peter’s was the site of a Gospel Jamboree, with approximately 15 performers, for a congregation exceeding 200 patrons. This event was followed by a “Cup o’ Tea” at the hall, complete with a smorgasbord of treats and desserts.

The Commemorative Anniversary Worship was a Eucharist presided over by The Venerable Terry Caines, Archdeacon for The Anglican Diocese of Central Newfoundland, assisted by the current rector, The Rev’d Eli Cross (2020-present), with a homiletic message by former rector, The Rev’d Eric Squires (2005-2012), to over 250 people, seated in the pews. 

Other former clergy in attendance included The Rev’d Neal Buffett (2018-19), and Deacons The Rev’d Judith Squires (05-12) and The Rev’d Beverly Buffett (18–19). Other attendees at the celebration include The Rev’d John Sparkes, Regional Dean; The Rev’d Robert Oldford, retired; The Rev’d Amanda Barnes-Butt from the United Church  in Bonavista; and many active licensed lay ministers from the region.   

The worship was followed by a banquet and dance at the Port Union Lions’ Club with emcees The Rev’d Eli Cross and LLM Glenn Freake. Many happy stories were told and many were honoured with certificates for ministries of leadership, lay ministry, and musical ministry. The most notable were Harold Duffett and Melvin Freake for 70 and 60 years respectively served on vestry, and Penny Duffett and Doris Freake for over 70 years as organists. Marie Duffett was recognized for over 30 years as a Licensed Lay and Eucharistic Assistant ministry. Family members accepted for Melvin, Doris, and Marie, who were absent for health reasons.

The oldest congregational member in attendance, Clayton Cullimore, now in his 89th year, received the honour of cutting the celebration cake. We surrounded him with the children present, who proceeded to distribute the cake to everyone. 

Despite a very successful event, the very next morning we were saddened and shocked at the passing of Doris Freake at her home at Port Union. Our thoughts were immediately with her family, and our grief buoyed by her pleasant demeanour and life-long ministry through her music. Spiritual commitments of people like Doris have truly made St. Peter’s a dynamic and enduring source of ministry. May she forever rest in peace. 

A pictorial banner was dedicated, and it now hangs at the church. Its inscription says:  “You are Peter—and on this rock I will build my church, I give you the keys to the kingdom … what is bound on earth shall be bound in heaven.” It was Peter’s revelation of Jesus as the “Christ” that prompted this statement. We still stand on that revelation of “the Rock”. Not much remains in historic documents of the first church of St Peter, but the latter, with its 30-metre white cross-topped spire has become a community icon recognized for strength of conviction and enduring revelation of the Word.

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Clara Penny, born 1939 at English Harbour, Trinity Bay, experienced a similar path to music. She also took music lessons for a year when she was around 13-14 years old and played at her home church until she left home to go teaching. Her career brought her to Port Union and Catalina for five years where she played at Holy Martyr’s and St Peter’s churches respectively. An early memory she recalls is: “On New Year’s Day the Fishermen at English Harbour would parade and the open offering that day would be given the organist.” 

Both teachers would end up married and living at Catalina. Clara Penny married business manager, Harold Duffett. Doris Simms migrated with Melvin Freake, her new husband, as he was hired an engineer at the Catalina Fish Plant. Clara’s name somehow colloquially got change to “Penny” Duffett after they married, switching her maiden name with her first. 

Though both had been playing in differing churches for nearly 45 years it wasn’t until the 1990’s that they became a tandem team at St Peter’s, Catalina—an executive decision made by a new rector, the Rev’d Wayne Short. When I (Rev’d Eli) arrived, they were a mainstay for the music leadership and ran a very energetic choir that would only shut down in the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, eagerly bouncing back after the Covid-required recesses.

In March of 2022, while at home, Doris experienced a fall at aged 88 that left her with a broken hip and a fractured shoulder. This article was earlier planned as a tribute to my two whirlwind musicians, but it was delayed until we ascertained how Doris might fare from her injuries. Though her desire was strong, her body was too weakened to allow her to resume her biweekly vocation. Playing the double keyboard organ at St Peter’s requires one to literally climb aboard and keep one’s arms elevated throughout the performance. Hence my composition has morphed from a tribute to two fantastic musical leaders for more than 140 combined years of service in their musical ministries. It remains a tribute to their exploits, but also is a retirement wish to one. 

Penny continues to play weekly at her youthful age of 83, occasionally taking a breather. We wish Doris a much well-deserved retirement at 88, though if she had it her way, she’d still be tickling the ivories at church. 

Both would sum up their careers as “Loving every minute of it!” Worship in the Parish of Catalina has been greatly enhanced by their unselfish devotion of time and talent in praise to their Lord.

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So, on July 4th, at St Mark’s Church in Summerville, eight young members of the congregation received a contactless “laying on of hands” to receive the rites of confirmation, and then their first receipt of the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. The St. Mark’s confirmands were: Nicholas, Jorja, and Grace Newell; Margaret and Kimberley Long; Amelia and Sidney Tobin; and Camryn Baker. With the absence of a younger congregation in town, this may have been the final confirmation witnessed at St Mark’s.

On September 19th, Bishop John was once again on the road to Catalina. The second instalment of confirmations at both St Peter’s (Catalina) and St Nicholas’ (Amherst Cove) took place that day. There were supposed to be six confirmands, but a ‘flu bug kept two away. The class was composed of twin sisters Keiara and Karlee Paul, Todd Crewe, Christopher White; absentees were Bradley Phillips and Dylan Duffett. The latter confirmands will be added to a new cohort already who have already begun their learning at St. Peter’s for confirmation in 2022, when Bishop John will be “On the Road Again.” Pictured with the two groups are Bishop John Watton and the Rector of the parish, the Rev’d Eli Cross.

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At another funeral less than a month later, the warden, Harry Wareham, requested that the cross be placed in service again. At the end of the liturgy for the second funeral (Calvin Skiffington), Harry asked if we thought it silly for him to construct one for St Nicholas’ Church.

Fast forward two months, after another shutdown for COVID-19, and then to the first worship back at St Nicholas’ on the first Sunday after Easter 2021. Harry had finished his project, and the family of Derrick Harrison Ford presented a processional cross to the Glory of God, and in memory of Derrick, who is also Harry’s nephew. Harry’s Processional Cross is constructed from cherry, mahogany, maple, and pine.

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