A little history

A comment from Bellen the other day about the origin and location of the little red-roofed church, made me realize I really didn't know much about the church itself.

For eleven years it's been the signpost alerting me to my destination. Yet I'd never thought to wonder why and how it came to be there.

I knew it was an Anglican church because of a sign out front so I did a quick Google search and found this information.

The Kennell Anglican Church is a Municipal Heritage Property located 10 km northeast of the Village of Craven within the Rural Municipality of Lumsden No. 189. Situated in the Qu’Appelle Valley at the base of the south slope, the property features a single-storey, rectangular wood-frame church. A page-wire fence surrounds the church and adjacent graveyard on the north and west sides of the property.

Originally named St. Nicholas Anglican Church, it was constructed in 1900 about nine km northeast of its present site. After many of the parishioners moved away, the church was dismantled and reconstructed in 1910-11 at its present location, and has remained in continual, although irregular, use. 

My search results didn't provide any information as to how it came to be re-named though my initial assumption would be it was named for a local farmer or businessman. However, the list of those buried in the graveyard doesn't reveal anyone named Kennell.  I guess that will stay a mystery.

A few years ago, my godmother came for a visit, so we dropped in on the little church during a trip to the farm. (You can see her on the left checking out the organ).

Normally, the church would have been locked up but we were fortunate to meet one of the parishioners on site who let us take a walk through.

He explained the church is used in the summer months for services but because it has no heat it is closed the remainder of the year.

It is obvious the church has been well-maintained by its members. The distinctive roof was recently re-shingled and the exterior is painted every few years.  According to the website where I found the most information, it's location and condition make it one of the most photographed churches in Saskatchewan.

That I can attest to!  On my trips to the farm I frequently stop on the hill, even without my camera,  just to take in the view. It's peaceful and calm and so beautiful no matter the time of year.  As a heritage site, it should be around for many more years for visitors to enjoy!