Torbay was once home to St. Michael's Convent - the home
of the Congregation of the Sister's of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin
Mary. The first convent was opened on October 18, 1865. This building was
torn down in 1889 and construction of a new building commenced. The new
structure which was made of wood, lasted in the town for 97 years.
The Presentation Sisters were established in 1776 in Cork,
Ireland. They were brought to Newfoundland by Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming.
Their purpose was to provide Christian education to the children of those
days.
In 1866, the presence of the Sisters in the Torbay area
brought forth the first school for Catholic girls. The basement of the Convent
was used as St. Michael's School and continued as an all-grade school until
1956. It was during this time a new Holy Trinity School was opened and some
of the grades were transferred there. However, the Presentation Sisters
continued to teach for many years afterwards.
On July 31, 1986 an era of education and fellowship was
completed. St. Michael's Convent closed its doors forever. There was a diminishing
number of sisters entering into the convent and the town council was not
in the financial position to provide the money that was needed to do restoration
and preservation of the Convent at that time. Many attempts were made, unsuccessfully,
to find a new owner for this building. Unfortunately, August of 1987 brought
forth the demolition of this site.
Today some of the Convent is preserved at the Torbay Museum.
There is a nine-piece chesterfield set (dated back to 1880), 2 stain glass
door and 2 stain glass windows. These items were the donations that started
the basis of the Torbay Museum.