The story of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Parish is inseparable from the story of Bell Island itself. Long before the parish was formally established, the island's early Catholic settlers — families with names like Dwyer and Kent — made the arduous journey by water to Portugal Cove, St. John's, and Harbour Grace to receive the sacraments and maintain their Catholic faith.
In 1875, Bishop Thomas J. Power of the Diocese of St. John's recognized the growing Catholic population on Bell Island and officially established St. Michael's Parish. The first resident parish priest, Reverend Richard Dunphy, arrived that same year and served the community faithfully until 1880, laying the spiritual and organizational foundation upon which the parish would grow.
The discovery of iron ore in 1895 transformed Bell Island overnight. The population swelled as thousands of workers arrived to work the mines, and St. Michael's Parish grew alongside the community. By the early 1900s, Bell Island was one of the most vibrant communities in all of Newfoundland, and St. Michael's stood at the heart of its Catholic life.
In 1903, the foundation stone of the current St. Michael's Church was laid, and in 1907, the completed church was consecrated by Bishop Michael F. Howley — a moment of great joy and pride for the entire Bell Island community. In 1917, the Sisters of Mercy arrived on the island, establishing a convent and assuming responsibility for Catholic education, a transformative contribution that shaped generations of Bell Island families.
Today, St. Michael's Roman Catholic Bell Island Corporation continues this proud legacy — offering spiritual care, sacramental ministry, and community service to the people of Bell Island and the surrounding Conception Bay region.
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These values guide everything we do — from our Sunday liturgies to our community outreach programs across Bell Island.
St. Michael's Roman Catholic Bell Island Corporation is a member parish of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The Archdiocese of St. John's is one of Canada's oldest Roman Catholic dioceses, tracing its roots to the early colonial period of Newfoundland. Our parish proudly upholds the teachings and traditions of the universal Catholic Church under the guidance of our Archbishop.
Visit the Archdiocese →St. Michael's Roman Catholic Bell Island Corporation is a registered Canadian charitable organization in good standing. We operate transparently in accordance with all applicable regulations of the Canada Revenue Agency and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
