Reference Historic St. Peter's Church, Twillingate, Newfoundland, a booklet commemorating the 150th anniversary of the church's first service, Dec 11, 1992.
The congregation of St. Peter's can trace its history back as far as 1814, when a request for a minister was sent to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. In 1816, Rev. John Leigh, the first resident minister, arrived in Twillingate.
A church building had already been started and was eventually consecrated in July, 1827 by the Bishop of Nova Scotia, The Right Reverend John Inglis.
By 1838, it was decided to build a new church and in 1839 the foundation was laid. On December 11, 1842 the first service was held and the church was consecrated on July 3, 1845 by Bishop Field.
St. Peter's Church is one of the oldest wooden churches in Newfoundland and is patterned from St. Jame's Church in Poole, England from where the chandeliers were purchased.
The bell was purchased by the people of all religious denominations as a Thanksgiving for the great seal harvest in the spring of 1862. The bell bears the inscription, "In memory of the Great Haul, 1862". The bell rang for the first time on December 25, 1863.
The pipe organ, which is used today, was erected in 1897 and was hand blown until an electric blower was installed in 1963.
St. Peter's Church also has five stained glass windows given in memory of our forebears.
A William Harnett Memorial Fund was set up.
During William Harnett's Principalship at St. Peter's, seven hundred pupils were registered - of these over one hundred had answered the final roll call. Approximately four hundred were contacted, and about two hundred could not be contacted because of a lack of address.
Only a small number of those contacted contributed to the fund.
But the few who remembered with gratitude and affection the work of Wm. Harnett in school and church and community, gave generously, and the result was the placing of a beautiful stained glass window in the church near the Font. The theme of the window is "Follow Me". It depicts Jesus and the children, of different nations of the world.
The inscription on the memorial window reads '"To the Glory of God and in memory of William Harnett, Principal of St. Peter's High School, and Lay Reader at St. Peter's Church, 1915 - 1945. Installed in 1976 by ex-pupils and friends".
The dedication of the window was held on August 1, 1976 during Evensong, conducted by the Rector, Rev. Ronald Saunders. Two former pupils, Messrs. Malcolm Loveridge and John M. Manuel, read the Lessons from Exodus, Chapter 39, Verses 45-56. Psalm 122 was recited, and the hymns "New Every Morning is the Love", (sung practically every morning at the opening of school); "He Who Would Valiant Be"; "Love Divine, All Love Excelling" and the Dedication Hymn, "Great God To Thee Our Hearts We Raise In Joyful Adoration."
The Rev. R. Saunders spoke on the work and accomplishments of the late William Harnett, and the contribution of church schools in general. He regretted that such are no longer the foundations of Christian life and work among the youth of the province.
Many former pupils of William Harnett will no doubt recall that he also taught at Moreton's Harbour, Pinchard's Island, Bonavista Bay, Joe Batt's Arm, Tilt Cove and Channel.
All of the late Mr. Harnett's family now living were present at the Dedication Service. They included his widow, Mrs. Annie Harnett, his son Frank, daughters Rita Saunders, now Mrs. Farwell; Joan and her husband Bernard Bartle; Dorothy; Mrs. Russell Senior and her three daughters.
Jean, the twin sister of Joan died of meningitis in Twillingate in 1941. Neil, a second son, paid the supreme sacrifice during World War II when his RAF plane crashed in Staffordshire, England, January 10, 1945.
Thus 30 years of faithful and devoted service to school, church, and community by William Harnett were fittingly remembered in this service by the gift of a Memorial Window to St. Peter's Church.
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