History of St. Barnabas Church
Blaketown, Trinity Bay

The text contained within this document was copied from a special anniversary plate issued by the St. Barnabas Church in 1989 to celebrate its original construction 100 years earlier. The front of the plate had a picture of the old and the new churches and the back of the plate had the following text which it stated was the history of the church in Blaketown.

It is also interesting to note a couple of points. My great-grandmother Annie Bertha Mercer (maiden name Drover), born 1878 and died 1964 (both events in Blaketown) daughter of the William Drover mentioned in the history, was the last person buried from the old church. Furthermore, one of my uncles, Annie's grandson was the last person married in the old St. Barnabas church.
Thanks.

Mike Cooper

This is the history as printed on the back of the plate:

"The first Anglican Church in Blaketown was erected by William Drover in 1889. It was used as a school chapel until 1921. The first Rector was Rev William F Rafter. In 1944, a belfry was added to the church and on June 13 1944 at 7:30 pm, St. Barnabas Church was consecrated by Bishop Philip Abraham, assisted by the Rector Rev George Camp. On Feb 16, 1964 the new St. Barnabas Church was opened with Holy Communion at 11:00 am, celebrated by Archdeacon Legge and assisted by the Rector Rev A.E. Bennett."

Copied by Michael Cooper on March 1, 2000.