In the early 1880s, several families settled near the place where the Boundary Commission of 1873 had crossed the Pembina River. In 1885, these pioneers established the Parish of St. Luke’s Pembina Crossing. Originally, Church of England (Anglican) services were held directly across the road from this site in the Valley Stopping House. After the Pembina Valley School was built in 1885, services were held there until 1886. The picturesque poplar log building, originally a general store built in May 1880, was in use until 1920 when it was replaced by a new building which opened on 26 September 1920. The following year, by an unfortunate accident, it burned down although most of the furniture and fittings were saved.
In 1922, the church was replaced by the present structure, a municipally-designated historic site as of 2011.
For the first 18 years, the Parish was served by Reverend Edward Powell Nicholl. For 28 years, the church Warden was Richard Nathaniel Lea. Both pioneers rest in the churchyard which was consecrated by Archbishop Robert Machray in 1894. The burial in the cemetery took place in 1896, of John Cyprian Lea. A plaque inside the church commemorates four parishioners killed during the First World War.
The St. Luke’s cemetery and churchyard are maintained by volunteers, most of whom have family buried here. Services are held twice a year, a Rogation service in the spring and Narvest Thanksgiving in the fall.
Old St. Luke’s Pembina Crossing Anglican Church (no date)
Source: Carol Hooper
St. Luke’s Pembina Crossing Anglican Church (no date)
Source: Carol Hooper
Interior of St. Luke’s Pembina Crossing Anglican Church (no date)
Source: Felix Kuehn
St. Luke’s Pembina Crossing Anglican Church (June 2013)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
St. Luke’s Pembina Crossing Anglican Church (August 2018)
Source: George Penner
Aerial view of St. Luke’s Pembina Crossing Anglican Church (July 2022)
Source: George Penner
Interior of St. Luke’s Pembina Crossing Anglican Church (August 2018)
Source: George Penner
Interior of St. Luke’s Pembina Crossing Anglican Church (October 2021)
Source: Rose Kuzina
Interior of St. Luke’s Pembina Crossing Anglican Church (November 2024)
Source: Milan Lukes
First World War commemorative plaque inside St. Luke’s Pembina Crossing Anglican Church (May 2019)
Source: Gordon GoldsboroughSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.14972, W98.56039
denoted by symbol on the map above
Name
Occupation
Service
Rank
Birth Date
Death Date
Chemist
5th Battalion, Canadian Infantry
Lieutenant
15 December 1882
30 July 1915
Hubert Mansell Nicholl
[Manitou]Mechanic
8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry
Private
10 July 1871
11 September 1917
John Edward Severn
[Next of Kin, St. Johns]At College
16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry
Sergeant
16 February 1899
4 October 1918
Vernon Nicholl Severn
[Next of Kin, St. Johns]Banking
43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry
Lieutenant
28 May 1890
26 October 1917
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Richard Nathaniel Lea (1845-1917)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Pembina Crossing (Municipality of Pembina)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites
We thank Carol Hooper, Felix Kuehn, Ed Grassick, George Penner, Lindy Sharpe, Rose Kuzina, and Milan Lukes for providing information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough and Darryl Toews.
Page revised: 17 November 2024
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