Historic St. George's Anglican Church A Provincial Heritage Structure
March 15th, 2006: St. George's was presented The Manning Award for Excellence in the Public Presentation of Historic Places for outstanding leadership in preserving the church as a cultural venue for
public enjoyment.
St. George's Church is a Registered Heritage Structure and is open to the public Mon-Sat 10am to 5pm and Sun 12pm to 5pm from June to September 1st, 2009.
Some exterior restoration work is currently being carried out.
Free Admission (Donations gratefully accepted).
The building is also available for hire for public functions, weddings, etc.
The print "Summer in Brigus" by Ben Gillard was won by Lillian Percy of Brigus with ticket #0319. The winning ticket was drawn by Jim Payne during his concert on August 30th.
Photos of the Official Opening.
Photos of a few interior items.
If you have any information on the origin of this handmade flag, please send us an email.
Dates, times and admission prices for the following events will be announced when they become available.
For more information, contact our Events Coordinator Deanne Hiscock by email or phone 709-528-3060.
For November 2009:
CANCELLED due to illness of several members. November 7th (Saturday) at 7:00pm: STEP - Young Virtuosi - a concert featuring performances by advanced violin students.
Admission: A donation to the STEP program.
For October 2009:
CANCELLED due to scheduling problems. October 3rd (Saturday) at 7:30pm: Jason Simms and Chris Andrews.
Tickets: $15.
For August 2009:
August 6th (Thursday) at 7:00pm: Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Association (Anita Best featuring Andy M. Stewart and Gerry O'Beirne). Tickets: $15.
CANCELLED due to stormAugust 23rd (Sunday) at 8:00pm: Jason Simms and Chris Andrews.
Tickets: $15.
Concert to be rescheduled for some time in October
August 30th (Sunday) at 8:00pm: Jim Payne and Fergus O'Byrne will perform. Two of Newfoundland's most respected performers combine their passion for traditional music and song, as well as their instrumental prowess and humorous repartee, to cover a broad spectrum of
Newfoundland folk culture,including songs, stories and dance tunes. Their repertoire includes rousing sea shantie and work songs, poignant ballads, comic ditties, folk tales and recitations, and toe-tapping
jigs, reels and polkas on a variety of instruments. Tickets: $12.
For July 2009:
July 4th (Saturday) at 7:30pm: Festival 500. Tickets: $20.
July 10th (Friday): The Holdin' Ground. Free Admission.
July 13th (Monday) at 8:00pm: Lori Anna Reid Tickets: $20.
July 23rd (Thursday) at 7:30pm: Opera on the Avalon. Free Admission (donations to St.George's gratefully accepted)
St. George's Anglican Church has been purchased by The St. George's Heritage Committee Inc. The building, all of its contents and the surrounding land (except for cemeteries) was secured for $110,000 CDN. The building will be used for concerts, plays, marriages etc and opened and preserved as an historic building. Except for repairs and improvements (e.g. removing the vinyl siding) the building itself will not be altered thus maintaining its historic value and appeal. The original bell tower, which was destroyed during a storm around 1940, is planned on being reconstructed.
The purchase of the church by the committee will hopefully ensure that this beautiful building will remain one of the main landmarks of Brigus for many, many years to come. Its opening to the public will give many people the chance to view its wonderful interior which may have been lost forever.
I would personally like to thank all eight members of the St. George's Heritage Committee Inc. for their great efforts and unwavering commitment to save this building. They all did a tremendous amount of work and the people of the town of Brigus owe them many thanks.
History
This wooden church was constructed in the Gothic Revival style in 1876 under the supervision of George C. Jerrett. It was presumably built by men of the congregation and other men of the town. Significant interior features include the open gable beam and timber ceilings, plastered walls and the fact that it is in nearly original condition with only a few additions. All of the original woodwork has been retained. It is a landmark in Brigus, both from the land and sea. It served the Anglican Congregation of Brigus and some surrounding areas as a church, until it was sold (to the St. George's Heritage Committee Inc.) in 2004. It received recognition of its important historical value when it became a registered heritage structure in 2004. Visitors can see the beautifully carved alter, pulpit, choir pews and frontals, communion rail and pews (all made of pine) and the christening font, all of which are origianl to the building. Some of the older vessels and artifacts are displayed in covered glass cases at the back of the church. The windows are all original leaded glass with a stained glass window above the alter depicting the Cruxifiction. This window was installed in 1880 as a memorial to Rebecca Bartlett. Plaques honouring men who made the supreme sacrifice in war can be seen above their family pews.
