This church was designed and built between 1853 and 1854 by stonemason Duncan McRae under the personal direction of Archdeacon William Cockran. The foundation stone was laid on 23 May 1853 by Bishop David Anderson, who gave the church its name. It replaced an earlier one built in 1836 a little to the south of the new site. Stone was quarried from the bank of the Red River for the foundation and walls. The final dimensions measured 70 feet long by 40 feet wide. The church served the Aboriginal settlement of the same name established here in 1834, the first attempt at an Aboriginal agricultural community in Western Canada. It was the home church for Chief Peguis, friend and benefactor to the Selkirk Settlers.
During the restoration of the church in 2002-2003, archaeological work in the ground below the floorboards revealed aboriginal artifacts dating back many centuries. In 1963, the St. Peter Dynevor “Old Stone Church” was designated a Provincial Historic Site by the Historic Sites Advisory Board of Manitoba. Commemorative plaques are located next to the front entrance to the church building.
Among the noteworthy people buried in its cemetery are Abraham Cowley and Chief Peguis. A plaque recognizing Peguis as a person of national historic significance was unveiled by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada in June 2017.
St. Peter Dynevor Anglican Church (May 2011)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
St. Peter Dynevor Anglican Church (February 2016)
Source: George Penner
St. Peter Dynevor Anglican Church (August 2018)
Source: Rose Kuzina
Aerial view of St. Peter Dynevor Anglican Church (June 2019)
Source: George Penner
Interior of St. Peter Dynevor Anglican Church (August 2005)
Source: George Penner
St. Peter Dynevor commemorative plaque (May 2011)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Chief Peguis commemorative plaque (May 2011)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Grave marker for Chief Peguis at St. Peter Dynevor Anglican Church (May 2011)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Unveiling of Chief Peguis plaque (June 2017)
Source: Rick WishartSite Coordinates (lat/long): N50.18250, W96.83987
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: St. Peter Dynevor Anglican Rectory / Dynevor Indian Hospital / St. John’s Cathedral Boys’ School (1147 Breezy Point Road, RM of St. Andrews)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: St. Peter Dynevor Anglican Church (1087 Breezy Point Road, RM of St. Andrews)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Provincially Designated Historic Sites
Early Red River Homes by Lillian Gibbons
MHS Transactions, Series 3, 1945-46 Season
St. Peter Dynevor Anglican Church, Manitoba Historic Resources Branch.
We thank Tim Worth, George Penner, Rose Kuzina, and Rick Wishart for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 29 March 2024
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