Stanley Mission Church Anniversary A Big Draw

Stanley Mission Church Anniversary A Big Draw

Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 15:50

 

 

Hundreds of people have gathered at the site of the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Stanley Mission today for the church’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

 

Guided tours, jigging, a fish fry and a church service are among the activities taking place today.

 

Visitors in attendance include the great-great-grandaughter of the minister responsible for building the structure, who travelled from England to be a part of the celebration and says she can’t believe the respect she has received from locals.

 

Margaret Wynn says that after years of research, she believes that Robert Hunt had a great appreciation for the local Cree people and their way of life — but adds he “wasn’t too enamoured with the treatment they got from the Hudson Bay Company”.

 

The church was built by local people in the 1850s under the direction of Hunt.

 

It is now both a provincial and a National Historic Site, as well as the oldest building in Saskatchewan.

 

Premier Brad Wall is among the dignitaries in attendance.

 

Organizers say today’s festivities are dedicated to the elders of the past and present, and mark the beginning of a year-long celebration.