History
Likely born in Drummersnave (Drumsna), Ireland, in 1740, Lawrence Coughlan is considered to be the first Methodist preacher in British North America. Historians maintain that he came to Newfoundland in 1766, first as a priest for the Church of England, his mission funded under the Society of the Propagation of the Gospel. However, Coughlan’s religious education was heavily influenced by John Wesley, and soon his preaching became increasingly Methodist-influenced in Harbour Grace.
For eight years Coughlan worked as a zealous missionary in Conception Bay. He would publicly denounce individuals from working Sundays, which caused public disputes with the merchant class. He would also visit the fishermen of the area and their families along the coast, organizing religious classes and preaching in Gaelic to the area’s Irish immigrants.
While in Conception Bay Coughlan began a school for boys and girls. He became Justice of the Peace for the area around Harbour Grace in 1770. In 1771 Governor John Byron dismissed Coughlan, due to two controversies with merchants and an allegation of bribery. When Coughlan returned to England he had left behind a strong foundation of Methodism, a tradition which continues in Newfoundland and North America to this day.
In 1788 the Bench of Magistrates granted a Methodist lay preacher, John Stretton, a license to open a Methodist church for divine service. With his own funds, Stretton built a small chapel on his property, near present-day Stretton’s Hill, which today bears the name of the early preacher. On August 31, 1788, Stretton’s church was opened, the first legal Methodist institution in Newfoundland. The church serviced the Methodist movement in Harbour Grace for thirty-four years.
In 1820 discussions began about building a new church. In 1822 the church was dedicated, and in 1823 £120 was raised to finish the new chapel, known as the Harbour Grace Methodist Church. Following the accepted style of architecture, the church was patterned in a similar fashion to other Wesleyan structures in Newfoundland during that time. It was 50 feet long and 40 feet wide, with galleries on each side and one in the south end for the choir. Noted for its comfortable pews and neatness, the church could seat 450 people. For many years the church was commended for its choir’s musical talent.
On February 7, 1850, in the midst of a severe winter, the Harbour Grace Methodist Church was destroyed by fire. The previous year the roof had been shingled, the building painted inside and out. Due to these needed repairs, the church was £100 in debt and carried no insurance. Though the goodwill of the Board of Works and Sheriff George Gaden, church service continued at the courthouse for the rest of 1850.
Rev. William E. Stenstone petitioned the Newfoundland Legislature for aid, which the governor, Sir Gaspard LeMarchant, endorsed. The Government subsequently granted £200 for a new Methodist church. There were also donations from local merchants: Ridley & Sons donated £50 and John Munn and his wife gave £100 each. In five months, the subscription list stood at about £600, and further donations were expected from the Methodist congregation in St. John’s.
On June 25, 1850, Rev. Stenstone laid the cornerstone for the new church, to be built under the leadership of John W. Withcombe. By July 15, the walls were framed.
On February 9, 1851, the new church was opened and dedicated, with every pew rented. The building was 58 feet long and 36 feet wide, with a capacity of 500 people. Its windows and galleries were designed in the Gothic style, in a manner similar to the former church. A separate room, a Sabbath school, was attached to the chapel, measuring 26 feet in length and 18 in width.
In 1867 the church, now under the direction of Rev. John Sidney Phinney, could not safely accommodate its congregation and was enlarged to seat 750 people. In 1881, under the pastorate of Rev. John Goodison, the Board of Trustees imported a fine pipe organ for $1,000.
On February 7, 1904, at three o’clock in the afternoon, this third Methodist church of Harbour Grace caught fire – a strange coincidence, considering its predecessor burned on the same day of the same month. Though a crowd gathered to extinguish the flames, the church could not be saved. By six o’clock the church had been razed, a loss of $9,000 for the congregation only covered by $3,000 insurance.
Arrangements were made immediately. Church service would proceed at Coughlan Hall for the time being. On February 10, the congregation met at Coughlan Hall and decided to start building a new church that spring. The congregation subscribed handsomely to the building fund and appeals to the public were made.
Horwood Lumber Company constructed this new church within a year. On July 28, 1904, the cornerstone was laid. On January 28, 1905, Rev. James Pincock officially dedicated and opened the fourth Harbour Grace Methodist Church. The church measured 73 feet in length, 39 feet in width; the height of the ornate spire was 76 feet. There were no side galleries as in the previous churches. The church could seat 500 people.
In 1925 the Harbour Grace Methodist Church became Harbour Grace United Church.
The United Church would meet the fate of its unfortunate predecessors, burning during the third ‘Great Fire’ of Harbour Grace on August 17, 1944. Services were again held in Coughlan Hall until a new church could be built.
Rev. Walter H. Macabe opened and dedicated the present-day Coughlan United Church on August 29, 1950. More than 1,000 people, including visitors from St. John’s, attended the opening service.
On May 17, 1965, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) designated Laurence Coughlan a National Historic Person. A plaque near the United Church on 6 Water Street W, Harbour Grace, commemorates Coughlan’s achievements in Newfoundland. This plaque was refurbished in 2017.
Research by Gordon G. Pike. Historical pictures are always welcome. Send (with attribution) to matthewmccarthy@www.hrgrace.ca.
Location:
GPS Coordinates: 47.694300, -53.211470
Street Address: 6 Water St E, Harbour Grace, NL
Contact Information:
Clergy: Rev. Nancy Mojica-Fisher
Phone: (709) 596-3716 / (709) 596-7432
Email:
Website: http://coughlanunitedchurch.com/
Links & Further Information:
Dictionary of Canadian Biography | Historic Sites & Monuments Board of Canada | Canadian Encyclopedia