Emerson originated as a trading post in 1873 when 640 acres were granted to Wisconsin businessmen, Thomas Carney and William Fairbanks. The first settlers were about a hundred. In 1874 Emerson was named after William Fairbanks’ favourite author.
In 1875 the first service of the Church of England was held in the temporary one-room schoolhouse. It was conducted by Rev. Mark Jukes, who also provided services at Marais (Coulee), Roseau Crossing (now Dominion City), Fort Pembina, Plum Coulee and Scratching River (now Morris).
With the prospect of becoming the “gateway to the west” the settlement grew. By 1876 there were three churches in the community: Church of England, Episcopal Methodist, and Presbyterian. The wood frame building of the Church of England was named St. Luke. It was consecrated on 20th December 1876 by Bishop Robert Machray, assisted by Canon Grisdale and Canon O’Meara.
In 1879 a belfry and bell were added to the building, the interior was refurbished to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, and Emerson was incorporated as a town on 25th November. In 1883 St. Luke became the first church in Manitoba to own a pipe organ. The Parish of St Luke was created on 29th January 1886.
During the flood of 1948 St. Luke became a distribution centre for the Red Cross. The church was used again during the flood of 1950. But when water began to surround the church the operations were moved to the United Church. Meanwhile, Rev. Stanley Atkins continued with services. The congregation arrived by boat until worsening conditions made that impossible. After the flood the church was placed on a higher foundation, and a parish hall was added.
From its early days the minister at St. Luke also served St. Mary in Ridgeville. Services were also provided to Marais and Morris.
In 1969 the Border Area Parishes, which included All Saints (Dominion City) and St. Mary, made an ecumenical arrangement with the Valley Pastoral charge of the United Church. One priest and one minister were responsible for alternating services in seven churches. St. John, in Hallock, Minnesota, joined in 1970 and left at the end of the 1970s. Valley Pastoral charge withdrew from the arrangement in 1972. When All Saints (Dominion City) closed in 1983 only St. Luke and St. Mary were left to share a priest. Hallock rejoined Emerson and Ridgeville in 1992.
In 2002 St. Luke’s congregation voted to open the church only for funerals and special services. Another vote in 2005 was to close it permanently. St. Luke was deconsecrated on June 16, 2005. The parish was dissolved on November 24, 2005. The property was transferred to the Town of Emerson for use as a museum. In 2017 the property was sold.
What was once a church is now a private residence.
• Photographed in 1990.
• Published in Senior Scope, April 10, 2019.