The oldest building in Saskatchewan will be around for generations to come thanks to some major restoration work financed by the federal and provincial governments.
The Holy Trinity Anglican Church at Stanley Mission was built in 1860 and still stands proud 154 years later.
It is a beautiful building on the shores of the Churchill River in Lac La Ronge Provincial Park.
The church was designed by the English missionary Robert Hunt and constructed by Cree craftsman using locally cut lumber as well as stained glass brought from England.
It took six years to build and has stood the test of time.
However, the Stanley Mission church now needs some major restoration work which includes a new foundation and roof.
Saskatchewan Parks Minister Kevin Doherty says it is critically important to maintain the historic site.
“It not only has historical significance for the province but cultural significance, obviously for our First Nations and Métis population in this province it is something our government recognizes,” he says.
Doherty says in addition to being a national historic site and tourist destination, the church still also serves as a place of worship.
“The locals still use it as a church up there. It’s historically important, it’s culturally important, it has a tourism aspect to it – so that is important to us as well.”
The total cost of the recent restoration work was $330,000 dollars.
The province provided $230,000 with the federal government providing the rest.
Doherty says if more money is needed to preserve the church, the province will provide it as needs arise.