Before the arrival of churches in Baldur the Presbyterians and Anglicans both conducted their ceremonies upstairs in the Stilwell Blacksmith’s shop. After a frame church was hauled in from Tiger Hills in 1891, and until appropriate places of worship became available, the services were conducted there.
When St. Mark’s Anglican Church was built in 1898, Archbishop McCrae acted as dedicator and Rev. Belter as rector.
The church is a distinctive expression of the faith of one of Baldur’s pioneer groups: the Anglo-Ontario Protestants of the Church of England. Its simple box-like form, the basic gable roof, and such Gothic Revival Style features as the pointed door and windows, are typical of the early settlers’ church buildings. However, St. Mark’s Anglican Church is built of brick, a more expensive and durable building material than wood. This by itself is indicative of the church’s importance to its builders. The addition of a complex chancel at the rear of the church is further evidence of that consideration.
In 2011-2012 the Baldur-Argyle Special Places project recognised St. Mark’s Anglican Church as one of 17 from an original list of 96 buildings and sites that were “significant, interesting and attractive, and suggest an enduring sense of community.” So, although there have been no religious services at St. Mark’s Anglican Church for a while, in keeping with this evaluation the building and grounds are being maintained.
When Baldur was founded in 1890 that name was suggested by J. Christopherson, leader of a group of Icelandic settlers. However, the proposal did not go unchallenged. Some wanted the place named for Jesse Chester, a prominent citizen of Baldur, and some for a prairie flower. Baldur was the name approved for this community south of Glenboro.
According to Norse mythology Baldur is one of the Aesir gods, the son of Odin and Frigg, husband of Nanna. He is god of innocence and god of the summer sun. He is noted for his good looks, and personifies the nobler qualities of human nature. He is so gracious and cheerful that he gives off light.
• Photographed in 2009.
• Published in Senior Scope, July 10, 2019.