Other Name(s)
n/a
Links and documents
Construction Date(s)
Listed on the Canadian Register:
2006/09/22
Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Presbytery, also referred to as the Parish House, is a two-storey, Carpenter Gothic style cottage located at 005 Chapel Hill in Bonavista, NL. The municipal heritage designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Heritage Value
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Presbytery (also known as the Rectory, the Parish House or Silver Linings), erected 1900-1901, has been designated as a municipal heritage building because of its architectural and cultural value.
Architecturally, St. Joseph's Presbytery is a good example of vernacular Victorian elaboration and a fine example of historically prominent local builder Ronald Strathie’s interpretation of Carpenter Gothic building style. The building's gable-ell plan is fairly common in period Carpenter Gothic houses, though currently rare in the Bonavista area. Other picturesque Carpenter Gothic features of the Parish House include its steeply pitched roof, gables with finials over windows, arched windows and ornate covered porch. Overall, the house reflects the craftsmanship common to all of Ronald Stratie's buildings in Bonavista.
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Presbytery is also culturally significant due to its associations with the Roman Catholic Church in Bonavista. It was built on a hill on Church property, making it a focal point in Bonavista, where its scale, rooflines and level of decoration historically indicated that it belonged to someone with high social standing. The first occupant of the residence was Rev. James Brown, followed by other parish priests over the years. Religious figures of a number of denominations visiting from out of town also often stayed in the house.
Source: Town of Bonavista Town Council meeting minutes of 2006/08/14
Character-Defining Elements
All original features related to the Carpenter Gothic style and the age of the building, including:
- L-layout;
- steep pitched rooflines;
- twin peak window gables in front;
- finials on peaks;
- bay windows;
- decorative window on first floor, front facade;
- arched windows on second storey;
- window placement;
- raincaps on windows;
- placement and style of porch, including roof type;
- decorative porch posts with decorative openwork post brackets;
- narrow, painted clapboard sheathing and wood shingle roofing;
- and building height, number of storeys, dimensions and massing.
Recognition
Jurisdiction
Newfoundland and Labrador
Recognition Authority
NL Municipality
Recognition Statute
Municipalities Act
Recognition Type
Municipal Heritage Building, Structure or Land
Recognition Date
2006/08/14
Historical Information
Significant Date(s)
n/a
Theme - Category and Type
- Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life
- Architecture and Design
Function - Category and Type
Current
- Commerce / Commercial Services
- Hotel, Motel or Inn
Historic
- Residence
- Single Dwelling
Architect / Designer
n/a
Builder
Ronald Strathie
Additional Information
Location of Supporting Documentation
Town of Bonavista, PO Box 279, Bonavista, NL, A0C 1B0
Cross-Reference to Collection
Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier
NL-2879
Status
Published
Related Places
n/a