Religion 
For most individuals, religion or worship is an important part of their life as well as their society and culture. How an individual perceives religion depends upon their personal beliefs and cultural views. These beliefs offer people something to hold onto in times of trouble or indecision with the idea that a higher power exists somewhere in the universe.
A study conducted by Statistics Canada in 2002, demonstrates the importance of religion to ones life by region of residence. The survey resulted in the Atlantic Provinces viewing religion to be of highest importance to residents, with 54% compared to other regions of Canada. The study also verified the important of religion to ones life by immigration status. This ethnic diversity survey put fourth results whereby individuals immigrated to Canada before 1982 felt a high importance (55%) of religion while those who immigrated in 1982-2001 also felt a high importance of religion with 57%.
The town of Grand Falls-Windsor is a community which offers a variety of denominational and non-denominational churches for individuals to choose and practice their religious beliefs. Churches in the area include the following:
- Anglican Church
- Roman Catholic Church
- Pentecostal Church
- Salvation Army
- United Church of Canada
- Jehovah’s Witness
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Anglican Church
History (Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Grand Falls)
Today, the congregation of the Church of England worships in the Holy Trinity Anglican Church. The congregation established a parish in August 1911 which included Millertown, Millertown Junction and Badger. The first service was held on Sept 8, 1907, conducted by Reverend Henry Uphill. In 1910 there were 132 contributing members of the Anglican congregation with services held at the Town Hall and the early school. The new church was completed in Nov 1910 and held its first service. As the years progressed, there was continual upgrading of the facility with the consecration of the church in 1914 by Reverend Llewellan Jones. In 1930, an extension was added to double the seating capacity with a new rectory built in 1934. The Anglicans from the Grand Falls station worshipped at the Holy Trinity yet a new parish was formed in Windsor in 1952. Reverend R.S Sheppard was inducted on July 1, 1955 for the Grand Falls Parish and by Jun 1959, plans where made to the congregation to dismantle the old church and construct a new one. The new building was completed and ready by October 15, 1961 with seating capacity of approximately 480 attendees. In 1963, cosmetic changes where made to the church and the parish included surrounding communities of Grand Falls, Bishops Falls and Windsor by 1966. Finally, in 1952, residents who had attended the Holy Trinity became their own congregation at St. Albans Anglican church in Windsor (The Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society Inc 134).
History (St. Albans Anglican, Windsor)
In 1952, the congregation of St. Albans was established as they set up and furnished the old wing of the St. Albans School which was used as a temporary church. The first service in the school was held on Christmas Day, 1952. Soon, a building committee was formed and members agreed to have a new facility built by paid labour under a supervisory foreman. Construction began the early summer of 1961 and was completed by September 1962. The facility was officially opened by the Bishop of Newfoundland, the Rt. Reverend J.A. Meadow and dedicated under the name of St. Albans. The congregation paid off the church debt in 1974 (The Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society Inc 134).
Worship & Beliefs
Worship at Anglican Churches is liturgical. Usually, local parishes and ministries are the determinants of the form of their form of worship using a Book of Common Prayer or other liturgical worship form as the foundation of their worship. Parishes and ministries have the authority to create their own forms of liturgical worship. The Anglican Church has a prosperous heritage of worship yet Anglicanism can be easily understood (The Universal Anglican Church).
There are three forms of churches surrounding Anglicanism, describing the types of services and worship they follow. The “Low Church” is less formal, does not chant or sing its services, alternates Morning Prayer with Eucharist and sometimes appears to be protestant. The “High Church” is a church that strongly believes in theological or liturgical formality, has a number of vested assistants with many fine utensils used, sings or chants the services rather than speaking them and appears to be more catholic. The “Broad Church” is the middle between the Low and High Church. All types of churches can be found within each community (The Universal Anglican Church). The community of Grand Falls-Windsor has one Anglican Church.
Contact Information: Anglican Church of Canada - Grand Falls Rectory
1 Exploits Avenue
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL
A2A 1L9
Telephone: (709) 489-2343
Rev. Randy Lockyer
Roman Catholic Church
History (Roman Catholic Church in Grand Falls)
The Roman Catholic Church was established by a parish priest from Whitbourne, Reverend Father Geogory J. Battcock. On October 15, 1907, land was purchased by the A.N.D Company to build a chapel. This facility was built by the Martin Gardner family from Millertown from wood and completed in 1912. In June of the same year, Grand Falls mission church was erected to parish status with Rt. Rev. William P. Finn as the first priest.
Tragedy struck the building on May 6, 1918 and was destroyed by fire yet the A.N.D Company was able to build a new, larger church. This new concrete church was completed in 1920 with a Carrara marble altar donated by the Altar Society. The church became dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin by Bishop March in 1927.
(The Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society Inc 135-136).
History (St. Joseph’s, Windsor)
The Roman Catholic people of Grand Falls Station had faith that was nurtured by Father W.P. Finn, the priest of Grand Falls. Mass for these individuals was held in the school house when possible and eventually the congregation began to collect funds to build their own church. In Dec 1938, the first church was opened in Windsor yet was burned to the ground two years later in March 1940. Later, a second church was built and opened in December 1940 with the first parish house completed the same year. The congregation began to grow and a third building was built on the same site and completed in 1965. This facility exists today yet has undergone extensive renovations (The Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society Inc 137-138).
Beliefs
The Roman Catholic Church claims to be the official keeper of the teachings and traditions of Jesus Christ. Those that attend the Catholic Church believe that their religion is a direct descendant from Christ, St. Peter, Jesus’ apostle whom He referred to as “the rock in which I build my church.” The most important doctrines followed by the Catholic Church has been developed from the first century including The Mass, The Eucharist, Confession and The Papacy (Catholicism AKA The Holy Roman Catholic Church).
The Mass is the main ritual of the Catholic Church with the centerpiece being the re-enactment of the Last Supper of Christ. The Last Supper of Christ is representative of the event where Jesus turned bread and wine into His body and blood, whereby, he then fed to his apostles. The Eucharist is where Catholics believe that the priest will literally change bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. Because the bread and wine don’t resemble flesh and blood, the miracle is explained by the transubstantiation doctrine. Transubstantiation means that the break and wine really truly become flesh and blood yet they are indistinguishable from bread and wine for all intents and purposes. Confession is from the Catholic doctrine that believes that ordained priests are permitted to forgive the sins of Catholics who receive the “sacrament of Penance.” This involves speaking to a priest and confessing your sins through genuine repentance. The Papacy is the Pope or Bishop of Rome whom is considered the leader of the Catholic Church. His position is believed to be traced to an unbroken succession from St. Peter, which was the first Bishop of Rome (Catholicism AKA The Holy Roman Catholic Church).
Grand Falls-Windsor offers residents the option of attending two Catholic Church and participating in its worship and service.
Contact Information: Cathedral of Immaculate Conception Church
Church Road
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL
Telephone: (709) 489-6587
Father David Joy
Contact Information: St. Josephs Parish
5 Lincoln Road
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL
Telephone: (709) 489-2626
Father “Don” Alberto Adaza
Pentecostal Church
History (Pentecostals, Windsor)
The first Pentecostal service was held at the Grand Falls Station in 1926. The initial meeting to erect a church was held in Anderson’s store with the building officially opened on May 31, 1931. As the church attendees grew, a replacement church was constructed on a swampy piece of land near the first building. The seating capacity of this church was 400 and opened its doors debt free. At this site, two churches and a second parsonage where eventually constructed while this second church did not meet the needs for very long. Eventually a proposal to renovate the church was created under Pastor G.B Harum and was accepted. Construction began in 1968 with the building being complete with official opening in 1971. This would be the home of the Windsor Pentecostal Church for the following 24 years (The Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society Inc 130-131).
History (Pentecostals, Grand Falls)
The Pentecostal church in the Grand Falls Windsor area was started back in the 1920s and included Pentecostals from Grand Falls. As the church began to grow, it became obvious that the Grand Falls group needed their own church. Their first service was held on Oct 2, 1962 in the Beaumont Hall under Pastor David Bursey. After Pastor David left, Pastor I. Whitt took over the congregation and under his leadership; a new church was constructed during the summer of 1964 called the Union Street Pentecostal Church. When Pastor I. Whitt was replaced by Pastor Grimes, the congregation grew dramatically and the church had to relocate again with the new building completed on June 14, 1982 on Grenfell Heights (The Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society Inc 131-132).
Newfoundland History & Beliefs
Pentecostalism started in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador around the turn of the twentieth century. The message of Pentecostalism was brought to the province in 1910 by Alice Belle Garrigus, an unmarried public school teacher from Rockville, Connecticut. The Pentecostal movement is very assorted yet all Pentecostal Christians have key beliefs in common. They strongly believe that an individual needs to make a personal commitment to faith and through this act, the Holy Spirit will manifest in them. This manifestation will be present through the speaking in tongues while other supernatural events can also occur. They believe in the experience of adult baptism, scripture is interpreted literally and the style of worship is emotional with the clapping of hands, chorusing, contemporary music and innovative preaching. Finally, Pentecostals believe that God can reward them materially, as well as spiritually. This concept underscores an emphasis on positive living. The concept of living well supports a tithing culture of giving back to the church (Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland and Labrador).
The community of Grand Falls-Windsor has two Pentecostal Churches that practice Pentecostalism.
Contact Information: Windsor Pentecostal Church
97 King Street
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL
A2B 1H2
Telephone: (709) 489-6635
Pastor Gary Andrews
Website: www.wpcnf.org
Contact Information: Evangel Pentecostal Tabernacle
131 Grenfell Heights
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL
A2A 2J3
Telephone: (709) 489-6604
Pastor Marvin Burton
Website: www.pentecostalchurch.nf.net
Salvation Army
History in Canada
The Salvation Army was founded in Canada in 1882 with the goal to provide spiritual and practical support to society. In the early years of development, the Salvation Army developed the first prisoner parole system and the first Juvenile Detention facility in Canada. The Army has also provided services to women in crisis and also served in the Great War and World War II along the Canadian Armed Forces. The Salvation Army continues to provide its services to 1.5 million people a year and continues to restore hope and dignity to individuals who might feel invisible to society (The Salvation Army).
History (Salvation Army, Windsor)
The Salvation Army arrived in Grand Falls in the late 1920s or early 1930s as an outpost for the Grand Falls Corps. The initial services use to be held at the school located on King Street under Arthur Loveridge, Corps sergeant major. As the congregation grew, there was a need for larger facility and the congregation volunteered many hours of labour to construct two buildings. In July 1983, Windsor finally became a Corps under Adjutant Arthur Parsons and his wife. During their command, the citadel was renovated with additional rooms created. In Feb 1952, plans where developed to commence a new Citadel and the school was enlarged in October of 1953. Unfortunately, the newly enlarged facility was struck by a fire and ultimately destroyed yet immediate plans where made to erect a new building which was completed in Feb 1956. After this event, plans where made to build a new Citadel, which was finished in 1961 under the command of Captain and Mrs. Ray Pond.
This Citadel underwent renovations and improvements during the years of 1976-1979 and approval for a new Citadel took place on May 1981. This facility was opened and dedicated on August 27, 1988 by the Colonel Ralph Stanley. The Salvation Army in Windsor soon formed a band in 1942, a Young People’s Corp in 1938 and Home League. Today, the Salvation Army Park Street Citadel stands strong and in 2005 exceeded 1,150 attendees (The Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society Inc 126-127).
History (Salvation Army, Grand Falls)
The Salvation Army Corps in Grand Falls was commenced by Salvationists who had traveled to the Exploits region during the construction of the pulp and paper mill. The first meetings where held as open air services at Shallow’s Boxing Club and the Town Hall with Major Peter Sainsbury as the officer in charge. The quarters for the officer was built during the first year of open air with an extension added that could hold 150 people. While under the command of Major Peter, a piece of land was titled to the corps by mill owner Alfred Harmsworth and was declared the property of the Salvation Army. In 1910 a church was started from the eager Salvationists who volunteered their labor and was completed in early fall. As time progressed, the building became too small and a 25 foot extension was built with a Sunday School building. In 1929, under the command of Major and Mrs. Marsh a new citadel was erected on the same site. Finally in 1970, under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Pitcher the new citadel was officially opened (The Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society Inc 128).
Beliefs
The Salvation Army is a international Christian Church with its main message from the Bibl and its ministries developed by love for God and the humility needs of the world. The Salvation Army’s mission is “to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.” The Army’s core values of salvation, holiness, intimacy with God, compassion, Respect, Excellence, Integrity, Relevance, Co-operation and Celebration are the foundation of their beliefs (The Salvation Army).
Contact Information: Salvation Army-Park Street Citadel
27 Park Street
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2B 1C8
Telephone: (709) 489-4432
Captains Randy & Carolyn Hale
Contact Information: Salvation Army-Grand Falls Citadel
33 Circular Road
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 1A9
Telephone: (709) 489-2887
Captains Morris & Wanda Vincent
United Church of Canada & Methodists
History (Memorial United Church)
The first worship service took place in a schoolhouse and was conducted by probationary minister Parnaby in 1906. The Methodists decided to build their own church in 1909 and was completed two years later with a seating capacity of 300, located on High School. The parsonage was build soon afterwards on 26 Carmelite Road. The first minister, Reverend W.M. Muir presided over the construction of the facility. As the 75 Methodists families in Grand Falls continued, the church unity became questioned in 1918. A new church was being constructed in 1922 during the ministry of Reverend Sidney Bennet with services temporary held in the Bennet Hall. The building was finally completed on November 11, 1928 and the congregation became part of the United Church of Canada. Many renovations and improvements where completed during the mid 1950s yet the building soon became unsafe and was no longer available for use. Services where held in the Anglican Church and moved to the Grand Falls Academy gymnasium in August. Finally, on November 11, 1990, the doors of the New Memorial Church where opened for services.
(The Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society Inc 125-126).
History (First United Church, Windsor)
All United Church families in Windsor attended services at the Memorial United Church in Grand Falls until 1954. Soon, a series of meetings took place to focus on the attention of the Windsor congregation and to have its own building. The first service was held in the United Church School on Sunday July 11, 1954 with an offering of $7.20. During the next while, a building committee was formed and a church was eventually built and opened on November 5, 1961 (The Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society Inc 126).
Beliefs
The United Church of Canada believes that the Bible is their center as a source of wisdom, personal prayer and devotion. They believe that the Bible can bring us closer to God and is the best way to experience God’s continuing work of creation. The United Church of Canada also believes and celebrates the two sacraments (action or ritual) of baptism, the ritual that we belong to the Christian community and communion, symbolic meal initiated by Jesus. Baptism is considered an action that signifies new life God has given us as we join the church community. The ritual uses water as a means of cleansing and acceptance of new life in the church. Communion is considered the Lords Supper, the Eucharist or Holy Communion shared by most Christian denominations. The means uses bread and a taste of wine or juice to remind us of Jesus’ last supper with his followers (United Church of Canada).
Jehovah’s Witness
Beliefs
Jehovah’s Witnesses have a variety of beliefs where by they see themselves as a worldwide brotherhood. These individuals believe that Christ proclaimed his kingdom was no part of the world and refused to accept a temporal crown. They believe they are to base their lives and beliefs on the early Christian Church and the Bible.
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe The Bible is historically accurate and it is a way God communicated his will to human beings while they interpret the Bible literally. They test any religious idea against the Bible while they have their own translation of the Bible called the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. Witnesses believe that God the Father is the only true God with Jesus Christ being his firstborn son. They also believe that God is a single whose personal name is Jehovah while they accept Yahweh as a name also. Witnesses believe that Jesus Christ came to earth from heaven and the Holy Spirit is not part of the trinity but an active force. They believe that Jesus did not die on a cross but a single stake and when an individual dies; their existence completely stops (BBC Broadcasting Corporation).
Worship Services
Jehovah’s Witness meet in facilities called Kingdom Halls for religious services. This hall is a modest structure that has a auditorium with chairs for individuals, a platform for the speaker, a lectern, a library and a section where members can request or pick up Bible study literature. The Kingdom Hall does not have any crosses, images or religious symbols as they believe that they are to “Guard themselves from idols.” During the service, Witnesses do not pass collection plates or practice tithing, however, any individual wishing to provide a donation can do so at the rear of the auditorium. Most halls have congregations fewer than 200 members while most attend the Kingdom Halls closest to their home. Services are held at these Kingdom Halls usually three times a week and most programs involve the participation of the audience with discussion. The worship begins and ends with prayer and includes singing (Office of Public Information of Jehovah’s Witnesses).
Contact Information: Kingdom Hall Jehovah’s Witness
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL
Telephone: (709) 489-4951
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Beliefs
Those that believe in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are considered Mormons. Mormons believe that Christ is the only source of salvation and they worship Him by convening to follow Him. These types of believers follow baptism, they partake of the sacrament or Holy Communion, they pray to the Father and they worship Christ that was foretold in the Old Testament, revealed in the New Testament and affirmed in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Members of the church are called “Latter Day Saints” because they follow the New Testament whereby early followers were called Saints (Lindsay).
Worship Services
Mormons gather together and have their services on Sunday in groups referred to as either wards or branches. Wards are those services consisting of larger congregations between 200-400people. Branches, however, are the smaller services with congregations of 2 through 200 people. Mormons meet in meetinghouses which are referred to as chapels or stake centers, located on property owned by the Church. Believers have sacrament (similar to Communion) or the Eucharist on a weekly basis. The Saints also come together to participate in activities during the week (Lindsay).
Contact Information: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
58 Second Avenue
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2B 1B5
Telephone: (709) 489-6855
The results from a 2008 Residential Survey, completed by 10 individuals, indicated that the average rating for “The Selection of Churches in the Area” was a 4.5 out of a possible 5 with 1 being Poor and 5 being excellent.