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Interesting, To Say the Least (The Old Stone Church)

Posted August 2025 | Bob Turner

How time flies. Eight years ago, I wrote a blog in which I commented that my two oldest grandsons were such interesting youngsters because of their fascination with history.

Well, they are now young men, but they continue to have a voracious appetite for the history of our province and country. So, it came as no surprise to their very proud Grandpa when, shortly after arriving at my place to spend a couple of days, they asked if we could visit “The Old Stone Church”. For those who aren’t familiar with the name, they were referring to The Church of St. Pete’s, Dynevor, which is located on the east bank of The Red River, about 5 k.m. north of Selkirk, in the Rural Municipality of St. Clements.

St. Peter’s Church is important in the history of Manitoba for many reasons:

  • It is the second oldest stone church in the province and in Western Canada.

  • The church served the First Nations settlement which was established here in 1834, the first attempt at an Indigenous agricultural community in Western Canada.

  • It was the home church for Chief Peguis, friend and benefactor to the Selkirk Settlers.

  • It was the first Anglican mission of its type in Western Canada.

  • It was the only First Nations Anglican parish in the Red River settlement.

  • The church, and the over 700 graves in the adjoining graveyard, are rare links to the only First Nations parish in the Red River Settlement.

  • It is still in use as a place of worship.

Photo Credits: Eppic Industries

When I refer to the 700 graves in the churchyard, I am certain that Elliot and Luke visited all 700, in their quest to locate the oldest grave – 1846 if you are wondering. I had been here before, and did my best to keep up, as many of the headstones and gravesite markers are very interesting.

The timing of our visit was fortuitous; the caretakers of the facility happened along, and gave us a very informative tour, providing a history of its construction, renovation, and ongoing improvements and activities, and answering many questions.

The History: The first church built on the site was a log one, built in 1836 to serve the spiritual needs of the growing settlement in the area, but it never held an official Christian name. It served the needs of the community in the beginning, but later, as the community grew, it became too small, and was too cold in the Manitoba winters.

The present church came about thanks to an organizing committee led by the legendary Saulteaux (Ojibway) Chief Peguis, leader of the community of First Nations people in the area, friend and benefactor to the Selkirk Setters, and Rev. William Cochran, an Anglican missionary, sent to serve the spiritual needs of the community, and convert them to Christianity. By this time, 1851, about 87 families (500 people) lived in the region, and had begun to see that their previous way of making a living by trapping and hunting becoming more tenuous. They had turned to agriculture, and a less nomadic lifestyle. The St. Peter’s community became one of the first western agricultural/Christian settlements established by First Nations people.

Chief Peguis is one of many First Nations people buried here, and his grave marker alone is worth seeing. It is a very impressive and tasteful tribute to a great man.

The building: The existing building was constructed in 1851, and repaired and restored to its former glory in 2002/3, thanks to the hard work and fundraising of a dedicated group of volunteers, is an architectural wonder:

The outer structure was built with foot thick blocks of locally quarried limestone. The log rafters of the roof are clad in wood planks and cedar shakes. The stained-glass windows, crafted in England, travelled in barrels of molasses aboard ships sailing to York Factory on Hudson Bay, and then carried by smaller York boats to the site.

Interior furnishings were also original in 1851: the pulpit and altar rails were made from local oak, and there are 72 narrow, hand-hewn pews. Even today, the congregation relies on two wood-burning stoves as a source of heat. There is a bell tower with two bells (the tower was rebuilt in 1904/05 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the church.)

The word “Kanatiseyen” sits high above the altar. It is a mixture of Saulteaux (Ojibway) and Cree, and translates to Holy or Clean.

Recent Activity: This amazing historic church has been honoured with royal visits, and in 1963, “The Old Stone Church” was designated a Provincial Historic Site. It is still used on a regular basis, as summer services are held here on Sundays, and special services are held throughout December.

This church is still of profound importance to Peguis’ descendants - Peguis Days are held every June to celebrate the past, and the people who lived then. Weddings and funerals are held regularly in the church and on the grounds. Hundreds of people come here each year to admire the building, enjoy the peaceful landscape, or wander through the graveyard and grounds. Have You?

And, interesting young “historians”, and their proud grandparents come to spend a very enjoyable, educational few hours, proving once again, the truth of my mantra:

“Whatever the season, there’s always a reason,
To spend time in Red River North.”

Photo Credits belong to the St. Peter, Dynevor Old Stone Church Facebook page.