By 1890 the need for a new building to serve the Anglican congregation in Churchill was pressing. An immediate local problem was the availability of building materials and Reverend Joseph Lofthouse took advantage of a recent development in building technology. He acquired prefabricated components in England and had them shipped over.
While both the prefabrication and the transport to a distant building site were unusual for this date, what made the situation at Churchill remarkable was the nature of the materials. The structural frame at St. Paul’s was made of iron. Only three of these buildings ever made it to Canada. The building slowly rose, on the west bank of the Churchill River, over the course of two years and was ready for use in 1892.
In the winter of 1933, the building was moved by sledge across the Churchill River and, three years later, was position at a site on Franklin Street. It was moved to the present site in 1973. Believed to be the oldest church building in northern Manitoba still in use, it contains many old and valuable artifacts, including a stained-glass window donated to the parish by the widow of Sir John Franklin, the famous Arctic explorer. It received heritage status in 1996.
St. Paul’s Anglican Church (July 2018)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
St. Paul’s Anglican Church (September 2024)
Source: Greg Petzold
St. Paul’s Anglican Church (August 2026)
Source: Glen Toews
Interior of St. Paul’s Anglican Church (August 2026)
Source: Glen Toews
Interior of St. Paul’s Anglican Church (August 2026)
Source: Glen Toews
Franklin stained-glass window in St. Paul’s Anglican Church (September 2024)
Source: Greg PetzoldSite Coordinates (lat/long): N58.77234, W94.17339
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Provincially Designated Historic Sites
St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Manitoba Historic Resources Branch.
Financial support for research reported on this page was provided by Manitoba Heritage Grant 18F-H49829.
We thank Tim Worth, Greg Petzold, and Glen Toews for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 10 October 2026
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