St. John’s, NL, September 30, 2010--On behalf of the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Senator Fabian Manning today unveiled a plaque from the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada commemorating the national historic significance of the St. John’s Ecclesiastical District.
“The cultural landscape of the St. John’s Ecclesiastical District with its incredible architecture and the unusual proximity of the ecclesiastical buildings and their associated spaces clearly depicts the role religious denominations played in shaping the educational system and of a way of life and ideas in St. John’s and Newfoundland during the 19th and 20th century,” said Senator Manning.
The area is representative of cultural traditions, a way of life and ideas important in Newfoundland, particularly the development of the denominational system of education. The district is composed of separate nodes containing buildings and spaces associated with the Roman Catholic, Anglican, United, and Presbyterian denominations. Portions of the district are associated with Bishop Feild and Bishop Fleming, two persons of national historic significance.
“I am pleased to designate the St. John’s Ecclesiastical District as a National Historic District,” said Minister Prentice. “Ceremonies like this one highlight the value we, as a society, place on preserving built heritage and significant cultural spaces. Many people are working hard to ensure the extraordinary history of St. John’s is preserved and available for the enjoyment of future generations. Today’s ceremony is an important contribution to, and validation of, their hard work.”
Parks Canada is the largest provider of historic and natural heritage tourism in Canada. Through a network of 42 national parks, 167 national historic sites, and three national marine conservation areas, Parks Canada sets the stage and invites Canadians, as well as people from around the world, to engage in personal moments of inspiring discovery of our treasured natural and historic places.
For additional information, please see the accompanying backgrounder at www.parkscanada.gc.ca, under Media Room.
Information:
Jennifer Duff
Public Relations and Communications
Newfoundland East Field Unit
Parks Canada
709-772-0285
www.twitter.com/parkscanada
Backgrounder associated with this News Release.
St. John’s Ecclesiastical District
