Other Name(s)
n/a
Links and documents
Construction Date(s)
1855/01/01 to 1857/01/01
Listed on the Canadian Register:
2005/01/18
Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
Built in 1857, St. James Anglican Church is a two storey, clapboard sided church designed in the Gothic Revival style during the episcopacy of Bishop Edward Feild by British architect William Grey. Located in Battle Harbour on the south-east coast of Labrador, St. James Church is the oldest non-Moravian church in Labrador. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Heritage Value
St. James Anglican Church is designated as a Registered Heritage Structure due to its architectural value, historic associations and cultural value.
St. James Church provides an excellent example of the Gothic Revival style as adapted in small churches in Newfoundland and Labrador. This church represents a simplified version of Gothic Revival and elements such as the exposed timber framing on the interior of the church embody the style of design inspired by Tractarian practices. St. James Church is architecturally valuable because it is the only remaining church in Newfoundland designed by British ecclesiastical architect Reverend William Grey. Grey made a significant contribution to the introduction of the Gothic Revival style in Newfoundland by designing a number of churches throughout Newfoundland during the Victorian period.
St. James Anglican Church is an good example of a typical small High Anglican church built in rural Newfoundland during the Victorian period. In particular, the layout of the church is representative of this period. There is a bell tower with a pyramidal roof at the west end of the nave and a vestry at the east end. Both the nave and vestry have a steep pitched gable roof. Many interior features remain original including latches, hinges and keepers that are typical of the Victorian period.
St. James Church is historically valuable because of its long standing role as the centre of the Anglican mission on the Labrador coast. Commissioned by Bishop Edward Feild in 1852, the church is an important reflection of Bishop Feild’s work to expand the Anglican mission in Labrador. Bishop Feild had an important influence on religious, political and educational life of Newfoundland and Labrador during his episcopacy. The introduction of the Gothic Revival style was the architectural expression of Bishop Feild’s Tractarian views. A rural High Anglican Church, St. James Church represents the efforts at High Anglicanism of Bishop Field during his episcopacy.
St. James Anglican Church is a focal point of the cultural landscape of Battle Harbour and contributes significantly to the complex of buildings that make up this fisheries settlement.
Source: Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador unnumbered property designation file, 1 Springdale Street, St. John's, NL, A1C 5V5
Character-Defining Elements
All interior and exterior features (lancet windows, pulpit, baptismal font) that are representative of a Labrador interpretation of the Gothic Revival style of architecture, including:
-wooden shingles;
-pyramidal roof of bell tower;
-steep pitched gable roof of nave and vestry;
-window number, style, construction and placement; and,
-building height, massing and dimensions.
All original interior features that are typical of the period of construction, including:
-original latches, hinges and keepers
-interior exposed timber ceiling;
Those features which speak to the environmental value of the church, including:
-location and context of the church within the Battle Harbour landscape;
Recognition
Jurisdiction
Newfoundland and Labrador
Recognition Authority
Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
Recognition Statute
Historic Resources Act
Recognition Type
Registered Heritage Structure
Recognition Date
1991/07/24
Historical Information
Significant Date(s)
n/a
Theme - Category and Type
- Building Social and Community Life
- Religious Institutions
Function - Category and Type
Current
Historic
- Religion, Ritual and Funeral
- Religious Facility or Place of Worship
Architect / Designer
Reverend William Grey
Builder
n/a
Additional Information
Location of Supporting Documentation
Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
1 Springdale Street
St. John’s, NL
A1C 5V5
Cross-Reference to Collection
Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier
NL-1425
Status
Published
Related Places
n/a