Flatrock, Newfoundland Labrador, is a charming town with a rich history and vibrant culture. With a population of 1,722 according to the Canada 2021 Census, this town is a testament to the enduring spirit of its inhabitants, most of whom are of Irish descent. The town also has a small Norwegian community, descendants of settlers who arrived in the 19th century. The Irish heritage is still strong today, reflected in the town's religion, folkways, music, and dialect/accent.
Flatrock, Newfoundland Labrador, is a predominantly Roman Catholic town, with the first settlers being Roman Catholic Irish fishermen and French descendants. The town is home to St Michael's Roman Catholic Church, which shares its parish with St Agnes' Roman Catholic Church in the neighboring community of Pouch Cove. The church also shares a parish priest with Holy Trinity in Torbay, and St. Agnes' in Pouch Cove.
The town's Protestant population, which includes Anglicans, Methodists, and Presbyterians, is largely made up of individuals from other Newfoundland communities who moved to Flatrock due to recent economic development. Interestingly, there is no evidence of any Protestant family settling in Flatrock other than Norwegian and some English families, who, according to local history, soon converted to Catholicism.
One of the most notable landmarks in Flatrock, Newfoundland Labrador, is the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto. Founded in 1954 by Fr. William Sullivan, the grotto is the largest religious shrine east of Montreal. The grotto was blessed by Pope John Paul II during his visit on September 12, 1984, and has since been adorned with several monuments, including life-size statues and the fourteen Stations of the Cross. The grotto was also voted the "Most Psychedelic Spot" by the St. John's bi-weekly publication The Scope in 2007.
Flatrock, Newfoundland Labrador, has a strong sense of identity, particularly evident in its stance during the confederation debate of 1949. As an Irish settlement, the town voted against confederation. Today, the town proudly flies the Union Jack, the Irish Flag, the traditional pink, white and green flag of Newfoundland, and the American flag. This is a nod to the townsfolk who moved to New England States and New York before Newfoundland joined Confederation to live with relatives.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Flatrock, Newfoundland Labrador, had a population of 1,722 living in 638 of its 675 total private dwellings. This represented a 2.3% increase from its 2016 population of 1,683. With a land area of 18.1 km2 (7.0 sq mi), the town had a population density of 95.1/km2 (246.4/sq mi) in 2021.
