Formal Recognition Type

Registered Heritage Structure

Heritage Value

St. Michael’s Orphanage was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1999 due to its aesthetic and historic value.

St. Michael’s Orphanage has aesthetic value as an excellent example of the Second Empire style employed in an institutional building. Furthermore, St. Michael’s Orphanage is, along with the Benevolent Irish Society, the only surviving Second Empire masonry institutional building in Newfoundland. St. Michael’s Orphanage is a four storey building with a central tower and ornate detailing in the trim. The window hoods in this building are the most important architectural feature of the building both for their rarity and their detailing. Made of cast iron, the window hoods on the first floor are different from those on the second floor. Other intricate Second Empire details include quoining, hooded dormers and elaborate eaves brackets.

St. Michael’s Orphanage has further aesthetic value for its association with Bishop M. F. Howley – who designed a number of ecclesiastical buildings in St. John’s. St. Michael’s Orphanage is likely the last remaining of these buildings.

St. Michael’s Orphanage has historic value due to its age and use. It was built in 1885 to meet the demands for an orphanage for young girls and was run by the Sisters of Mercy. This Order was formed in Dublin in 1831 by Sister Catherine McAuley. The Sisters of Mercy have made a very important contribution to the community of St. John’s through their work in various fields. The Mercy Sisters are known for their work in health care at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital, as well as their work with the elderly at St. Patrick’s Mercy Home, and especially their work in education. St. Michael’s Orphanage serves as a reminder of the far-reaching role once played by the Sisters of Mercy.

Source: Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador property file “St. John’s – St. Michael’s Orphanage – Belvedere – FPT 1194”

Character Defining Elements

All those elements that are representative of the building’s age, construction and design in the Second Empire style, including:
-mansard roof, eaves brackets, dormers;
-ornate cast iron window hoods;
-central tower with mansard roof;
-original porch with pedimented entrance;
-arched windows in central tower;
-brick construction;
-quoining;
-window size and placement; and,
-building height, size, and massing.

Community

St. John's

Municipality

City of St. John's

Civic Address

055 Margaret's Place

Construction (circa)

1885 - 1885

Builder

Bishop M.F. Howley

Style

Rectangular Long Façade