Manitoba Provincial Heritage Site No. 97
In the mid 19th century when the pioneers were looking for better places to farm outside the Red River Settlement, the Victoria district near present-day Stonewall was one of the first to be chosen. And, until a communal place of worship could be built they conducted religious services in their homes.
Samuel Matheson, then a divinity student taking services in the district, worked on the building fund. In 1876, while in England, he raised funds for a church to be named All Saints after a parish church in Shrewsbury, England. His efforts were successful: a church was built in Victoria.
All Saints was officially opened on 23rd December 1877, the first Anglican church outside the Red River Settlement. Rev. Samuel Matheson was its first minister. He subsequently distinguished himself as Canon of St. John’s Cathedral, Professor of Theology at St. John’s College, Archbishop of Rupert’s Land, and Primate of All Canada in 1909.
The parish of All Saints, Victoria, was formed by the Rt. Rev. Machray on July 5th 1886. During its existence it received service from the Church of the Ascension in Stonewall, and St. Cyprian in Teulon. All Saints was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Matheson on 13th February 1918. The cemetery was consecrated on 7th July 1918.
When All Saints was closed in 1954 the building remained standing. Over the years it fell into disrepair and was vandalised. So demolition was a serious consideration. However, those whose ancestors were early parishioners saved the church, and celebrated its restoration with a service in September 1971. Renovations continued during the 1980s and in 1997.
All Saints Anglican Church is an early example of dovetail log construction, a building technology that replaced the wood frame method. This historic feature, together with other building elements and its age, determined the church’s designation as a Manitoba Provincial Heritage Site on 13th February 1997.
• Photographed in 1992.
• Published in Senior Scope, September 9, 2018.
• Included in Testaments of Faith, Manitoba’s Pioneer Churches.