Community Profiles
Brent's Cove
Trail: Dorset Trail HWY 410
Mayor: Terrence Sullivan
Deputy Mayor: Richard Andrews
Councillors: Collen Sullivan, Chris Sullivan, Shawn Sacrey
Address: General Delivery, A0K 1R0
Telephone: (709) 661-5301
Fax: (709) 661-5303
Availability: Thursday and Friday; 9:00am - 5:00pm
Introduction
Lovell's Newfoundland Directory (1871) described Brent's Cove as "a small fishing station on the French Shore” It is not known where Brent's Cove got its name, but the name Brent is an English place name.
Location
Brent's Cove, incorporated in 1966, is located 4km off highway 414, northwest of La Scie in Confusion Bay.
It is not known where Brent's Cove got its name, but the name Brent is an English place name. The community is located on what was called the "French Shore" and was probably fished by the French like all the other communities in the area. The community is situated around the salt water with numerous high hills surrounding it.
Population:
Today Brent’s Cove has 205 people.
History
Brent's Cove first appeared in the Census in 1857. At that time there were 5 homes in the community with a population of 21 people.
Lovell's Newfoundland Directory (1871) described Brent's Cove as "a small fishing station on the French Shore". It lists Samuel Brown, John Butler, John Carroll, Francis House, and James Martin, all fishermen, as residents of Brent's Cove.
The historical roots of Brent's Cove as a permanently established settlement can only be traced back as far as the mid 1800's. Previous to that time Brent's Cove was nothing more than a seasonal station where migratory French fisherman landed and set up operations to carry out the summer fishery.
It is interesting to note that Brent's Cove has not always existed under that name. When the French were regularly sailing the northeast coast, the French Shore, Brent's Cove was called La Rochelle and at times Petit Coup de Hache. Both these names reflect prominent geographical features of Brent's Cove.
Despite this change of names from French to English, the French have left lasting influences on the place. In fact, the high school in Brent's Cove today is not called Brent's Cove Central High but instead it bears the name La Rochelle Central High.*
*Quote: Joe Martin, La Scie; The History of Educational Administration in Brent's Cove up until 1930.
Brent's Cove, a predominantly Roman Catholic community, depended mainly on fishing for their livelihood. Their catch was made up of cod, herring, mackerel, and seals. The community grew rapidly in the 1800's, by 1884 there were 75 residents living in Brent's Cove. They had a church, school, one merchant and a resident clergyman. By 1935 the population had risen to 144, and over the next 21 years the population had increase by 86 to a total of 230. Because of its isolation, Brent's Cove had problems retaining trained teachers.
Postal Service
There is a postal service available to the community, operated from the basement of the postmistress' house.
All postal services are available and General Delivery mailing address.
Media Data
The regional paper that serves the community is the Nor 'Wester.
Cable television is available to the residents with thirteen channels. There are no motion picture theatres in the community. The local school group puts off two stage productions a year.
Health and Welfare
The nearest medical center to Brent's Cove is in La Scie , approximately fifteen kilometer's from the community.
A public health nurse visits the school periodically, and a dentist carries out annual check-ups on the students. Social workers are located at the Department of Social Services Office in Baie Verte .
Fire Protection
The community has a Volunteer Fire Department...
Consisting of 14 volunteers. It is a branch of the local administration.
The equipment and facilities consist of a fire truck, two Scott air packs, fourteen fire suits, and one water pump with hoses. There is no fire alarm system in the community. There are 25 hydrants in the community. The method used to warn of a fire is the telephone. For the year 1991, the fire department was called out to three residential fires, but no commercial or industrial fires were reported.
Utilities and Power
Newfoundland & Labrador Hydro provides the community with its power.
Water Supply and Sanitation
The source of water for the water system is a pond.
Gravity flow is used to access the water to all of the community. The water is treated with chlorine. Every three months the water is inspected by authorities. There are 92 households connected to main water and sewer system.
Garbage collection is of service to the community.
Once a week it is picked up. A private contractor is responsible for collection. It is picked up by truck and brought to the incinerator near La Scie located 5km from the community. The disposal area is supervised.
Social & Cultural Data
Music and dancing are part of the lifestyle in this small community.
Old songs and recitations tell of the way of life from long ago and the changes that have taken place.
The Annual Garden Party held in November includes games for the children, the sale of crafts and baked goods, soup supper, dance, and generally provides the opportunity for the community to come together. Many people are talented accordion players, guitar players and song-writers.
The population of Brent's Cove is predominately of Roman Catholic faith. Saint John the Apostle Parish is made up of Brent's Cove, Harbor Round, and La Scie. Father Edward Brophy is the parish Priest. He is stationed in Baie Verte , but visits the community twice a week for Mass. Sister Elizabeth Whelan is Parish Administrator, and lives in Brent's Cove. The size of the congregation has decreased in the past three years. The chief problem facing the church is the lack of financial support due to poor economic times. The church is involved in bingo, the Cancer Society, cemetery upkeep, altar society, bible group and choir group, and Sunday School is held every Sunday morning. The church participates in interdenominational projects, such as World Day of Prayer.
Town Hall is available to the public for meetings, and is used during elections as a Polling Booth.
