SHARE

Raising the Roof (In More Ways Than One)

Posted June 5, 2024 | Bob Turner

St. Andrews On the Red Anglican Church is really “raising the roof” this summer! First, the fundraising committee is raising money to replace the roof of the church, which lost many of the cedar shakes shingles in a big windstorm in 2021. Second, the church is hoping to “raise the roof” celebrating its 175-year history.

Photo Credit: Parks Canada

A very special church… St. Andrews Anglican Church is:

  • the oldest church in continuous use in Western Canada

  • the oldest stone church in Western Canada

  • a National Historic Site as of 1970

  • a Provincial Heritage Site as of 1990

A colourful history… the original church, a wooden structure, was erected under the direction of The Reverand (later Archdeacon) William Cochrane in 1831. The nearby Rectory was built the same year. When the wooden church became too small for a growing parish, the current stone structure was construction in 1845 and was finished in 1849, marking the “official” birth of St. Andrews Anglican Church.

St. Andrews Rectory

St. Andrews Anglican Church

The architecture of the church reflects the history of the area it serves. It was built in the Gothic Revival Style. The window frames, pulpit, communion rails, lectern, and choir stalls, are examples of what is known as a pre-Tractarian church design.

Unique to this church is the design of the ceiling, which is constructed to reflect the shape of an inverted York Boat, used on the nearby Red River so extensively during the fur trade era. The men who worked on building the church knew the strength and durability of the York boats and felt that the design would work well on the ceiling.

Although not original, the pews were installed in 1885 and the kneelers are covered in buffalo hide donated by the Winnipeg Police Force, whose officers wore buffalo great coats as part of their official uniform until the 1960s.

One of the original pews is on display in the tower entrance.

Photo Credit: St. Andrews on the Red

The cemetery… A walk through the cemetery surrounding the church is a walk through the history of the area. The headstones reflect the hardships endured by the people throughout the years, such as plagues like influenza, typhoid, and tuberculosis.

William Cockrane

William Kennedy

Many people who played a role in the Red River settlement and Manitoba's history are buried here: Archdeacon Cochran, founder of the church; EHGG Hay, the first leader of Manitoba's Official Opposition Party in 1870; and Matilda Davis, who ran Miss Davis’s School for Daughters of Hudson Bay Company employees.

The cemetery is also the final resting place of Captain William Kennedy, Arctic explorer who searched for Sir John Franklin's lost expedition, and later was instrumental in bringing Manitoba into Confederation, is also buried here. Captain Kennedy House, located just down River Road to the North, is a historic site.

“It takes a village to raise a child…” and it takes a community to raise the funds to maintain such a magnificent piece of history.

To maintain the integrity of the structure and the National Historic Site designation, the new roof must be done with historic materials (cedar shakes) and in the same manner, which is costly.

Check out the upcoming events the St. Andrews on the Red Anglican Church will be hosting this summer:

  • Garage Sale: June 8th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM the Anglican Church will be hosting a Yard and Book Sale with all items donated by the community. There will be BBQ with hot dogs and hamburgers, as well as chips and drinks available to purchase. This is a cash only event! This is a rain or shine event. Volunteers will be providing information on the church and conducting small tours throughout the day.

  • Canada Day: June 30th from 1:00 to 4:00 and July 1st from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m the church will be hosting a Canada Day Open House. Tours will be available all throughout the day. These tours are free, but a silver donation is accepted. Tours include inside the church and the grounds.

  • Tours: Throughout the summer, the church is offering tours about the historic building. Tours must be booked ahead of time by calling the church at the following phone number: (204) 334-5700. These tours are free, but a small silver donation is welcomed.

  • Go Fund Me Page: If you’re interested in supporting the St. Andrews Anglican Church but unable to attend one of the following events above, consider donating online at their Go Fund Me Page here: http://gofund.me/8f5f6936

The story of St. Andrews on the Red is the story of the area's history. There is no doubt about it: they are “raising the roof” for the good of St. Andrews Anglican Church and the surrounding community.

Whatever the season, there’s always a reason to spend time in Red River North!