STANLEY MISSION, Sask. – Saskatchewan’s oldest standing building will receive provincial funding for the restoration of its defining feature.
The 37 stained glass windows at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, built between 1854 and 1860, have been identified as a critical element in its heritage character.
“Holy Trinity Anglican Church has immense historical significance and preservation work is required to protect the structural and aesthetic integrity of the church,” said Mark Docherty, Saskatchewan’s minister of parks, culture and sport.
“These window repairs will ensure the building is preserved for future generations.”
The ministry says a portion of the windows are original but a number were replaced between 1981 and 1983 as part of an earlier restoration project.
Saskatoon-based Advantage Roofing was awarded the $217,000 contract to replace windows and remove, clean and re-set existing ones back into frames.
“We’ve done our fair share out heritage work, whether that’s been government or homeowners who own 100-year-old buildings and by far this has been the most exciting piece of heritage work we’ve done. There’s just so much history and culture there, it’s unbelievable,” said Tim Hopkins, the owner of Advantage Roofing.
“It’s a project that’s more than just about work, there obviously has to be a passion to it.”
Hopkins attend a preliminary site meeting Monday afternoon and work is expected to be done this fall.
This is the second phase of renovations being done to the church which stands across the Churchill River from the northern Saskatchewan community of Stanley Mission.
Necessary improvements to the building were identified several years ago by an engineering consultant.
The provincial and federal governments partnered up for the initial $330,000 phase of restoration, completed by Advantage Roofing earlier this year. There are more planned renovations that, subject to budget approval, will take place.
Stanley Mission is approximately 395 kilometres north of Saskatoon.
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