Holy Trinity Anglican Church and Cemetery History Excerpt

The following is an excerpt regarding Holy Trinity in the district of Sturgeon Valley from Our Harvest of Memories, a locally compiled history book:

Holy Trinity Church

This little old log church was built in 1914 in what was considered to be, at that time, the centre of the Sturgeon Valley settlement.

Mr. Mortimer Montgomery gave the parcel of land on which the church stands and he and Mr. Robert Lofthouse were instrumental in getting the work started. Local people of all denominations gave freely of their labour and a small grant from the Synod was used to buy the finishing lumber required. The furnishings were donated by members of the congregation in memory of their loved ones and the Ladies Aid raised sufficient money, by organizing socials, to pay for the pews, which were assembled and varnished by Mr. Rupert Bruce.

Holy Trinity Church about 1915.

The church was opened on November 1, 1914, by Bishop Newnham, with the Rev. LeClair assisting, and in the early days it was known as the "Church outside the Reserve", according to records in the Synod office.

Baptism of Valerie Ernst and Vern Ziegeman. Canon Payton, clergyman.

In the early days a branch of W.A. was formed with Mrs. Rupert Bruce as the first President, Mrs. Wm. Taylor as vice-president and Hilda Lofthouse as secretary. They were well supported by other women of the congregation and still continue to this day, only the name has since been changed to Anglican Church Women.

At first the Rev. LeClair, working from the Sturgeon Lake Mission, occasionally held services at Holy Trinity and performed any necessary functions until 1918, when the Archdeacon Paul was sent to the Mission and he held regular services at Holy Trinity from 1921 to 1924. As he worked among the Indians he went north in the summer and his place was taken at the church by students from the Theological College.

The first marriage solemnized in this little church was that of Rose Holmes and Ernest Robarts on May 1, 1916.

Rose Holmes and Ernest Robarts -- first wedding held in Holy Trinity Church, May 1, 1916.

The first confirmation class of teenagers and adults was instructed by Archdeacon Paul and confirmed by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Lloyd, (Bishop of Saskatchewan), on May 25, 1923, in Holy Trinity Church.

Confirmation service at Holy Trinity, October 13, 1947. L. to R., Back: Unknown, Ethel Anderson, Walter Anderson, Dreda Mason, Ross Mason. Front: Calvin Stene, Irvin Ziegeman, Mary Ernst, Olive Stene, Lavern Anderson, Elsi Anderson, Bishop Martin, Canon Payton.

When Archdeacon Paul was called to another post, services were conducted by students in the summer, with an occasional service in the winter, usually conducted by a clergyman from Prince Albert. Mr. Richard Snaith, a Methodist missionary in Australia, came to settle in Sturgeon Valley and was given permission by Bishop Burd to become a layreader in the Anglican church and he took the services in Holy Trinity Church for several years.

Church service at Holy Trinity, about 1929. L. to R., Staind Mr and Mrs Corydon Cowles, Joe Bruce, Marvin Cowles, Walter Featherstone, Mrs Lyons, Rose Roberts, Mrs Davidson (partial view), Mrs C. Bruce St. Dora Bruce, Rupert Bruce, Ruth Bruce, Granddad Smith, Jack Wright (partial view), Mrs Hann, George Wright, Jane Robinson, Syd Smith Sr., Jack Mitchell, Bishop Burd. Middle row, Seated: Mrs G. Wright holding Eleanor, Mrs Syd Smith Sr., Mrs J. Saunders, Grandma Smith, Kate Mitchell, Mrs Marvin Cowles. Front row, Seated: Bert Searle, Bert Wright, Audrey Smith, Milt Bruce, Dennis Deatherstone, Wilfred Wright, Bishop Burd's son, Lawrence Featherstone, Eileen Wright.

From March 1942 the church was in the charge of the Rev. W. G. Payton from Prince Albert. In time the settlement began to centre around Brant school and road conditions improved in that area, so church services were held there, especially in the winter. Services in the summer months were taken by a student minister from Emmanuel and St Chad's in Saskatoon, who would reside in the district for the duration of the college vacation. By now Holy Trinity Church had been stuccoed on the outside to preserve the log walls and the cemetery fenced and beautified by the work-bees that were held annually.

Holy Trinity Church after renovation, 1981. Corey Ziegeman in front.

In 1958 it was decided that a new church should be erected nearer to the centre of the district and the building of St. Luke's church was commenced. The much beloved little church, Holy Trinity, was restored in 1980 to an historical site. People in the district, as well as interested people from distant points, were anxious to make this church a monument to the dedicated people who had built it and the many who were laid to rest in the little cemetery alongside the church. Money was raised by donation and a government subsidy. Labour was willingly donated and the work was completed. The church holds many dear memories for the people of the district and, as an historic site, it will be preserved for many years to come.

Cairn, erected in front of Holy Trinity Church, 1982.

While there is only one mention of the churchyard next to the church, the entry is of interest for the history lesson and comparing how many of the mentioned names in relation to the church are actually buried in the churchyard (with or without markers).

Lofthouse, Bruce, Taylor, Snaith, Holmes, and Robarts are all surnames that appear in the text and for individuals in the graveyard. Of the specific individuals mentioned Rupert Bruce, Mary Bruce (Mrs. Rupert Bruce), and Rose Robarts nee Holmes, are buried in Holy Trinity. What the full relationship between the buried individuals and surnames mentioned in the history book remains to be investigated.

Source: Coles, Cathy, ed. "Holy Trinity Church." Our Harvest of Memories: Foxdale, Sturgeon Valley, Silver Cliff, Three Creeks, Rayside, Rich Valley. Shellbrook, SK: Shell River North Book Committee, 1983. pp. 491-493.