Part 1: A Brief History of the Parish of St. Michael and All Angels, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada

The Parish of St. Michael and All Angels had its beginning as a Mission of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The first chapel was a small school on New Gower Street just west of Springdale Street. This Mission was formally opened on January 18, 1885 with the first service conducted by the Rev. Ambrose Heygate.

In 1886, it became necessary to expand to "The Mission Room" on the corner of Gilbert and Springdale Streets. The first service at this second site was held on May 26, 1886. In 1898 "The Mission Room" first became known as St. Michael and All Angels.

The Church of England population continued to expand in the west end of St. John's and in 1903, the corner stone was laid for a new building on Casey Street. This third site was dedicated on July 3, 1904 by the Right Reverend Llewellyn Jones.

On March 9, 1922, at a meeting presided over by Canon L.L. Jeeves, Rector of the Cathedral, an official document was approved which established St. Michael and All Angels as a Parish. The Rev. E.J.R. Nichols became the first rector of the new parish on April 9, 1922.

On September 16, 1945, the sod was turned by Bishop P.S. Abraham for a new building at the corner of St. Clare Avenue and LeMarchant Road. On September 30, 1956 the new church was officially opened. This building is 174 feet long and 55 feet wide and has a capacity for seating 900 people. In 1981 the Parish Hall which had been constructed adjoining the church, was officially opened and the main auditorium named in honour of the first rector, Father Nichols.

The downstairs conference room is dedicated to Father Greavett, while the upstairs complex is dedicated to Father Honeygold.

Fr. Greavett retired from St. Michael's in 1956, immediately following the opening of the new church at Michaelmas that year. He is still fondly remembered.

Fr. Honeygold celebrated his 65th Anniversary as a Priest in December 2002.