This was the first church of the parish. It was designed by Father Hewki and built in 1937 with donated materials and volunteer labour of the Ukrainian settlers of Brightstone. Had the name not already been taken Brightstone would have have been Whitestone, named after a nearby stony hill.
The first services were then conducted by priests who came from Winnipeg, especially Rev. Dr. Kushnir, who came frequently.
Due to the influx of settlers from Brightstone in the 1950s a new parish was established in Lac du Bonnet in 1960. Also in 1960, with a donation of $1,000 the parish purchased 2.75 acres of land and moved the church to Lac du Bonnet. In August 1961 the church was blessed by His Excellency Metropolitan M. Hermaniuk and placed under the patronage of St. Anthony Petchersky.
The parish was served by Rev. Iwanchuk until 1965, and then in succession by Rev. George Spolitakewich, Rev. Semen Izyk and Rev. Eugene Rudachek. The church was visited by Bishop Myron Daciuk on July 9. 1984.
This wooden church is on a masonry foundation. It has a large dome in front. Entry is through an added-on porch. Four columns support the choir loft to the left of the nave. The slightly raised carpeted sanctuary has the sacristy to its right. To the left is a room with the oil-burning stove. Although wired for electricity the chandelier used candles for lighting. The roof is shingled. The walls are clad in imitation stone siding. The interior and ceiling are finished with wood siding and press board.
Other than for the framed painting behind the main altar “Jesus Christ – Lover of Mankind” (signed “Kostur V. 1938”), the holy images on the walls are all oil paintings.
After closure the church was moved from Lac du Bonnet to north of Old Pinawa beside Provincial Road 520.
• Photographed in 1993.
• Published in Senior Scope, November 10, 1993.