Sr. Mona Carew, RSM, in May of 1997 released her "Historical Notes on Sacred Heart Oratory (Mercy Convent Chapel), Cathedral Square/Military Road, St. John’s, Newfoundland."
It makes very interesting reading and I'd like to post the notes online for all to access.
The Mercy Convent Church, as it was called in 1891, was built to commemorate the 50th anniversary (the golden jubilee) of the arrival in St. John's of the Sisters of Mercy from Dublin, Ireland, in 1842. Construction began on 1 April 1891, the feast of our Lady of Good Counsel, and the chapel was blessed and dedicated in 1892.
The first mass was celebrated on 3 June 1892. At its opening, the chapel was decorated with evergreens and flowers, and the dedication ceremony took place at 9 AM when the procession entered, the clergy and sisters first, followed by the girls of Mercy Convent schools in their white veils and procession dresses. Many clergy were present, including Archbishop O'Brien of Halifax, Bishop Macdonald of Charlottetown, Dr. Power the bishop of St. John's, Monsignor Howley and others, 23 clergy in all.
The celebrant was the Vicar-General of the diocese, Rev. John Scott of the Cathedral parish. Rev. J.J. McGrath was Deacon, and Rev. J. Donnelly was Sub-Deacon. The dedication ceremony was performed by Bishop Power. The bishop preached the sermon, touching on the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy and the good work done by them since they established their foundation in St. John's in 1842. Bishop Power also preached briefly on the manifestation of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary. This was the feast chosen by the celebrant. In referring to the good work done by the Sisters, the bishop paid tribute to "the liberal assistance afforded them by the people of St. John's... no more noble or generous hearted people existed in the world." He noted that their faith and respect for their clergy and religious were also some of their characteristics, speaking of the "lavish generosity toward their faith, its ministers and its institutions has almost become proverbial, and is amply indicated in this and other religious buildings which embellish the city". The bishop then paid tribute to Mr. John Coleman, the architect of Mercy Convent Church. The mass was followed by solemn benediction. The cathedral choir sang, and at 11:30 the congregation left the building.
Mercy Convent Chapel is oblong, the ceiling edge is arched and lofty. Circular stained-glass windows shed a soft light into the building. The altar is at the north end and the choir gallery is in the South. The chapel fronts on Military Road. In the apse which extends upward and forms the dome, the apex of which is glass, the altar is erected. The ceiling is fully plastered, and six rose windows illuminate the chapel from the clerestory walls. The northwest rose window containing the stained-glass image of St. Joseph carrying the infant Jesus in his arms was donated by the businessmen of St. John's to show their reverence and appreciation for their deceased teacher Sister Mary Joseph Fox, founder and teacher of the Commercial Department of Mercy school. (See Sr. M. Wilhelmina Hogan, Pathways of Mercy, St. John's, 1986)
The altar was designed by J. J. Callahan, the carving and painting of the panels was the work of Dan Carroll. The principal part of the woodwork was done by James Armstrong and painted by Thomas Dunn. The altar and the elegant chancel rail were the gift of the generous benefactor James Boggan. In 1992, the repainting of the chapel was completed by Tempo Construction of St. John's under the direction of Jerry and Richard Scaplen.
Since its dedication over a century ago, Mercy Convent Chapel was where daily mass was said for the Sisters of Mercy and their pupils. Children of Mary retreats were made, and there was benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Here the little ones made their First Holy Communion. Ceremonies of reception, and profession of the Sisters were held here, and many marriages of the alumni of the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy School have taken place.
On 18 October 1990, the Convent of our Lady of Mercy and the Sacred Heart Oratory, Military Road, were designated provincial heritage structures by the heritage foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador.
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