From its humble beginnings in 1875 to its vibrant present, St. Michael's Parish has witnessed and shaped every chapter of Bell Island's story. The faith of our ancestors — miners, fishermen, teachers, and families — lives on in the community we are today. Explore the milestones that have defined our parish and our island home.
Bishop Thomas J. Power of the Diocese of St. John's officially establishes St. Michael's Parish on Bell Island. The first resident parish priest, Reverend Richard Dunphy, arrives and begins serving the island's growing Catholic community, which had previously travelled to Portugal Cove and Harbour Grace for sacraments.
The discovery and commercial extraction of iron ore transforms Bell Island. Thousands of workers flood the island, making it one of the most populous communities in Newfoundland. St. Michael's Parish grows rapidly to serve the spiritual needs of the expanding mining population.
In August 1903, the foundation stone for the present St. Michael's Church is laid in a ceremony attended by parishioners and community leaders. Construction begins on a building that will serve as the spiritual home of Bell Island's Catholic community for generations.
St. Michael's Church is consecrated by Bishop Michael F. Howley in a joyful ceremony marking the completion of the parish's permanent home. The consecration is a milestone for the entire Bell Island community and a testament to the generosity and dedication of its Catholic families.
The Sisters of Mercy establish a convent on Bell Island and assume responsibility for Catholic education on the island. Their arrival marks a transformative era in the parish's educational mission, and the Sisters will shape the minds and hearts of generations of Bell Island children.
During the Second World War, German U-boats attack Bell Island's ore carriers in Conception Bay — the only enemy attack on North American soil during the war. St. Michael's Parish becomes a place of prayer and comfort for families mourning their losses and fearing for loved ones overseas.
The iron ore mines close in 1966, ending 70 years of the mining era. Many families leave Bell Island in search of employment elsewhere. St. Michael's Parish walks with its community through this difficult transition, providing spiritual support, pastoral care, and a continued sense of belonging and identity.
St. Michael's Roman Catholic Bell Island Corporation continues to serve the faithful of Bell Island with active worship, sacramental ministry, community outreach, and heritage preservation. Our 150-year legacy is not a memory — it is a living, breathing community of faith.
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For seven decades, Bell Island was the industrial heartbeat of Atlantic Canada. The Wabana iron ore mines — one of the largest submarine iron ore deposits in the world — drew workers from across Newfoundland and beyond, creating a diverse and vibrant community unlike any other in the region.
St. Michael's Parish was at the centre of this community. Sunday Mass drew hundreds of mining families. The parish hall hosted dances, concerts, and community gatherings. The parish school educated the children of miners. When accidents claimed lives in the mines, it was St. Michael's that provided the rites of burial and the comfort of faith to grieving families.
The mining era created a bond between parish and community that has never been broken. Even after the mines closed and the population declined, the faith and community spirit that were forged in those years remain the foundation of St. Michael's today. We remember the miners, their families, and their faith with gratitude and pride.
When the Sisters of Mercy arrived on Bell Island in 1917, they brought with them a mission of education, compassion, and service that would profoundly shape the parish and the island community for generations. The Sisters established a convent and took charge of the Catholic schools on Bell Island, providing high-quality education rooted in Gospel values.
For decades, the Sisters of Mercy taught hundreds of Bell Island children — instilling not only academic knowledge but also a deep faith, moral character, and a sense of community responsibility. Many Bell Islanders who went on to distinguished careers in education, medicine, law, and public service credit the Sisters of Mercy with their formation.
The legacy of the Sisters of Mercy lives on in the educational values of our parish and community. Their spirit of compassionate service continues to inspire our commitment to the young people of Bell Island today.
Bell Island today is home to a proud and resilient community that honours its rich heritage while looking confidently to the future. The No. 2 Mine Museum — one of Newfoundland's most visited cultural attractions — preserves the story of the Wabana mines and the workers who powered them.
St. Michael's Parish is a partner in this heritage preservation effort. Our church, our cemetery, and our parish archives are living repositories of Bell Island's Catholic history. We welcome historians, genealogists, and descendants of Bell Island families who wish to explore their roots and connect with the island's past.
The island's unique geography — accessible only by ferry across Conception Bay — has always given Bell Island a distinct identity. That identity is woven together from the threads of faith, community, mining heritage, and the enduring spirit of its people. St. Michael's Parish has been part of that identity from the very beginning, and we remain committed to honouring and preserving it.
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