You would think it would be hard to keep the largest wooden church in the province a secret but that may be the case here. Our Lady of Mercy is a breathtaking structure complete with the roof being made from the hull of a ship – constructed by volunteer fishermen – and the Stations of the Cross being imported from Italy. The marble contained in them is Travertine and Carrara, the latter being the kind Michelangelo favoured.

The pine boards in the walls were carefully selected to be as knot-free as possible, thus the church hardly creaks and it has a brightness and airiness to it due to an open concept that you wouldn’t expect in this type of renaissance revival architecture.

Consecrated in 1925 and deconsecrated in 2004 it is now open for tours in the summer and has special events such as concerts and Christmas events. 

The former rectory next door to the church has been turned into an impressive two-story museum with a collection of religious and lay items smartly laid out in a variety of theme rooms such as the school room.

See the old radios in the priest’s office on the main floor and then head up the red-carpeted staircase to peek in on pompoms and old school jackets from Bishop O’Reilly High. Get a close look at gorgeously embroidered vestments and see women’s war uniforms.  And in a “see it before it’s gone vein” there are copies of a newspaper The Daily News from St. John’s, circa 1939 and 1949 laminated and set out for a flip through the past.
 
In the museum’s covered wraparound veranda there is a café where tea and snacks like Oreo cheesecake can be had. And the gift store on-site has locally made jams and crafts as well as books about Newfoundland history. 

Admission for adults to the church is $3 and to the museum $2. Children under 12 visit for free.