Mary Queen of the World History
On July 1, 1962, Archbishop Patrick James Skinner appointed Father John B. Kent as the first Pastor of Mary Queen of the World Parish. Previously, this faith community worshipped in St. John's, Kilbride, and Topsail until 1956, when the Mary Queen of the World was built, and the faithful were able to gather in the School-Chapel for worship.
The Presentation Sisters, who had previously administered the school, withdrew from its administration in 1985. They still maintain a convent and continue to be part of our Parish life.
In 1962, construction began on a new Rectory for the Pastor. The building remained the pastor's residence until October 2017. Due to the closing of the pastor's residence, the parish office was moved into the Church on July 11, 2018.
Our first pastor, Father John B. Kent, celebrated his Silver Jubilee on June 23, 1965. On August 3, 1969 at the age of 53, while celebrating Mass, he died suddenly. Following Father Kent's death, Father McDermott J. Penney was appointed Pastor from 1969 to 1974. After Father McDermott, the Capuchin Friars served our parish from 1974 to 1996.
In 1974, the Father J. B. Kent Council, Knights of Columbus, was formed under the leadership of the first Grand Knight, Mr. Steve Best.
In 1975, the first Parish Pastoral Council was established, with Richard Hall serving as the first Chairperson.
The Catholic Women's League was established in 1978; Mrs. Josephine Barron served as the first President.
In the fall of 1983, demand for a new worship space grew. Under the leadership of Father Adrian Kimenai, O.F.M.Cap., construction soon began for the new Mary Queen of the World Church, which was completed in 1984 and officially blessed by Archbishop A. L. Penney on October 30, 1985.
To add to the beauty of our Church, local artist, Gerry Squires was commissioned to paint the Stations of the Cross, the Last Supper and the Triptych of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In 1985, The St. Vincent de Paul Society was formed, with Josephine Rossiter serving as the first President.
On October 7, 1987, Archbishop A. L. Penney blessed the newly built Grotto, a statue to the blessed Virgin Mary. People from all over Newfoundland donated rocks that were used in the construction of the Grotto, including cobblestones from Water Street, stones from the Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, and one Stone from the City of Jerusalem.
In 1996, Monsignor John Walls was appointed Pastor followed by Monsignor Patrick J. Kennedy, from 1999 to 2011, and then, by Father Patrick J. Power, from 2012 to 2017. Under the leadership of Father Pat Kennedy, following the closing of St. Matthew's Parish in Cowan Heights, a weekday chapel was built as an extension to Mary Queen of the World Church. St. Matthew's Parish had served the Catholic people of Cowan Heights for 18 years. The first Mass with our combined parishes was held on October 16, 2004.
On September 16, 2017, Mary Queen of the World Parish and St. Peter's Parish began to be served by one Pastor, Fr. Wayne Dohey. We continue to live the Gospel of love and service in the way of the Lord.
In October 2022, Mary Queen of the World Parish officially closed.
St. Peter's Parish History
Our Journey as the Faith Community of St. Peter's began in 1977. With the growing population of Mount Pearl and of Mary Queen of the World Parish, the Capuchin Friars offered the opportunity for those parishioners residing in the new housing development (Newtown), just outside the boundaries of Mount Pearl, to celebrate Mass in the gymnasium of the newly constructed St. Peter's Elementary School, on Munden Drive. With the rapid growth of the area at the time, it soon became evident that expansion was needed. Archbishop Alphonsus Penney recognized this need and St. Peter's Parish was canonically established on September 1, 1982.
When O'Donel High School was constructed on 1985, the parish built a chapel, attached by a moveable wall, on to the gymnasium of the high school. This gave the parish a more permanent home, accommodated our growing parish and allowed us to celebrate weekday Mass.
In March 2001, Archbishop Brendan O'Brien, his College of Consultors, and the Archdiocesan Board of Administration, granted approval to proceed with the construction of our new St. Peter's Parish at the Ashford drive site.
On Sunday, July 22, 2001, Archbishop O'Brien celebrated Sunday Mass for the first time in St Peter's Parish. Following mass, with members of the parish and with invited guests, he proceeded to the new church site to bless it, and then he turned the sod to officially mark the beginning of construction of the new church. On Sunday, September 15, 2002, nearing the completion of our church, Archbishop O'Brien returned to bless and unveil our corner store and to view the progress we made.
On December 1, 2002 Archbishop O'Brien presided over the blessing and dedication of our new church.
Many of the furnishings in our church come from several formal churches an chapels around our Archdiocese.
Altar, Ambo, and Chair - These were expressly made for the Papal Mass during the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1984, and they were given to St. Peter's Parish in anticipation of the construction of our church.
The Oak - Used on the walls of our church, and to fabricate our Processional Cross, the Ambry and various other objects in our church were milled from the pews of the former Parish of St. Joseph's, St. John's, the College Chapel of the Mercy Sisters, Littledale, and from the Chapel of the Presentation Sisters' Convent, Carbonear.
Stations of the Cross - The Stations in our Chapel were gifts to our parish from the Presentation Sisters at the former Assumption Convent, St. John's.
Also, the Stations of the Cross in the main Church were gifts donated individually by parishioners of our Parish.
Baptismal Font - Designed by members of our parish for the Baptism of infants and adults, the Font is a constant reminder of our Baptism to go forth and witness to the risen lord.
Stained Glass - These 10 stained glass windows, which included our patron Saint. St. Peter, are from the former St. Joseph's Church, St. John's, and they were refurbished by Mr. Brendan Blackmore of Sunhound Glass.
In August 2022, St. Peter's Parish held a contest to allow parishoners ro rename the church. The church then became and is to this day named, Our Lady, Queen of Families Parish.