OUR HISTORY
The history of the Anglican Church in Paradise goes back to the early 1900's when a number of families resettled in the area from the community of Upper Island Cove. Some of the early families were: Lynches, Coombs, Janes, Gosses and Sharpes. Shortly after they settled, a one-room school was constructed which also served as a chapel. This building was used until the late 1940's when a new two-room school was built, in which a more suitable chapel was provided. This building continued to serve the needs of the Congregation until 1963, when a small chapel was built, known as, “The Little Church on the Hill.
During the 1970's and 1980's the congregation in Paradise remained small. It was during those years that there was an influx of people into the area, and the Anglican population started to increase. In 1984 The Reverend Trudy Gosse was appointed Assistant Priest, in the Parish of Topsail, under which jurisdiction the Church in Paradise came. One of her main areas of work was to concentrate on the growing Congregation in Paradise. By now it was evident that a larger building was needed to meet the needs of the Congregation. In 1986 the Corner Stone of the present building was laid. The Church Hall section was completed first and used for worship until the Church Building was completed in 1991, with a seating capacity for approximately 300.At that time the new Parish of Holy Innocents was established and The Reverend Trudy Gosse became its first Rector. In the fall of 1993, The Reverend Munden Waye was appointed as Rector. After 10 years as Rector the Reverend Munden Waye retired in October 2003.In November 2003 The Reverend Shawn Samson became the 3rd Rector of the Parish of the Holy Innocents, Paradise. Father Shawn left the Parish in February 2014 2014 to continue his doctoral studies. The current and 4th Rector of our Parish is Reverend Byron Barter. Holy Innocents has grown to approximately 250 families today. The majority of which are young to middle aged. Over the years the Congregation, both in its worship and programs has placed a strong emphasis on the importance of family. As the population of the Community of Paradise continues to grow, there is every indication that the Congregation will increase in coming years.
The history of the Anglican Church in Paradise goes back to the early 1900's when a number of families resettled in the area from the community of Upper Island Cove. Some of the early families were: Lynches, Coombs, Janes, Gosses and Sharpes. Shortly after they settled, a one-room school was constructed which also served as a chapel. This building was used until the late 1940's when a new two-room school was built, in which a more suitable chapel was provided. This building continued to serve the needs of the Congregation until 1963, when a small chapel was built, known as, “The Little Church on the Hill.
During the 1970's and 1980's the congregation in Paradise remained small. It was during those years that there was an influx of people into the area, and the Anglican population started to increase. In 1984 The Reverend Trudy Gosse was appointed Assistant Priest, in the Parish of Topsail, under which jurisdiction the Church in Paradise came. One of her main areas of work was to concentrate on the growing Congregation in Paradise. By now it was evident that a larger building was needed to meet the needs of the Congregation. In 1986 the Corner Stone of the present building was laid. The Church Hall section was completed first and used for worship until the Church Building was completed in 1991, with a seating capacity for approximately 300.At that time the new Parish of Holy Innocents was established and The Reverend Trudy Gosse became its first Rector. In the fall of 1993, The Reverend Munden Waye was appointed as Rector. After 10 years as Rector the Reverend Munden Waye retired in October 2003.In November 2003 The Reverend Shawn Samson became the 3rd Rector of the Parish of the Holy Innocents, Paradise. Father Shawn left the Parish in February 2014 2014 to continue his doctoral studies. The current and 4th Rector of our Parish is Reverend Byron Barter. Holy Innocents has grown to approximately 250 families today. The majority of which are young to middle aged. Over the years the Congregation, both in its worship and programs has placed a strong emphasis on the importance of family. As the population of the Community of Paradise continues to grow, there is every indication that the Congregation will increase in coming years.