Home / Accueil

Thingvalla Church and Cemetery

Churchbridge RM 211, Saskatchewan, S0A, Canada

Formally Recognized: 2005/12/08

View highlighting the altar of Thingvalla Church, 2006; Dwayne Yasinowski, 2006.
Interior
View highlighting the vernacular architecture of the Church and the close proximity to the cemetary, 2006; Dwayne Yasinowski, 2006.
Front facade of church and cemetery markers
No Image

Other Name(s)

n/a

Links and documents

Construction Date(s)

1910/01/01 to 1910/12/31

Listed on the Canadian Register: 2007/01/19

Statement of Significance

Description of Historic Place

The Thingavalla Church and Cemetery is a Municipal Heritage property located approximately seven kilometres northeast of the Town of Churchbridge in the Rural Municipality of Churchbridge No. 211. The property features a wood-frame church built in 1910 and a cemetery dating from 1887.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of the Thingavalla Church and Cemetery lies in its association with the religious history of the area. The Icelandic settlement of Thingvalla was established in 1885. In 1887, a cemetery site was needed and Narfi Halldorsson donated one acre of his homestead. In 1910, a wood-frame church was built on the site. Over the years, the Thingavalla Church has served the Icelandic community by hosting church services, weddings, funerals, and meetings. The small cemetery surrounding the church is the final resting place for over a hundred community members and serves as a symbol of the connection between the original pioneers and the area’s current residents.

The heritage value of the property also lies in its representation of early-twentieth century vernacular construction. The property features a rectangular form with one open room, and a gable roof. The interior features many wood features, including the doors, window frames, walls and flooring. Also of note are the carved chancel rails at the front of the altar and the pulpit.

Source:

The Rural Municipality of Churchbridge No. 211 Bylaw No. 2005 - 10.

Character-Defining Elements

The heritage value of the Thingvalla Church and Cemetery resides in the following character-defining elements:
-those elements of the property that speak to its position as a long standing place of worship, including its position on its original location and tombstones in the cemetery;
-those elements of the property that reflect its vernacular construction, including its regular massing, gable roof, wood window frames, interior walls, floors, chancel rail, and pulpit.

Recognition

Jurisdiction

Saskatchewan

Recognition Authority

Local Governments (SK)

Recognition Statute

Heritage Property Act, s. 11(1)(a)

Recognition Type

Municipal Heritage Property

Recognition Date

2005/12/08

Historical Information

Significant Date(s)

1887/01/01 to 1910/12/31

Theme - Category and Type

Peopling the Land
Settlement

Function - Category and Type

Current

Religion, Ritual and Funeral
Religious Facility or Place of Worship
Religion, Ritual and Funeral
Mortuary Site, Cemetery or Enclosure

Historic

Architect / Designer

n/a

Builder

n/a

Additional Information

Location of Supporting Documentation

Department of Culture, Youth and Recreation Heritage Resources Branch 1919 Saskatchewan Drive Regina, SK File: MHP 2322

Cross-Reference to Collection

Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier

MHP 2322

Status

Published

Related Places

n/a

SEARCH THE CANADIAN REGISTER

Advanced SearchAdvanced Search
Find Nearby PlacesFIND NEARBY PLACES PrintPRINT
Nearby Places