Kildonan Presbyterian Church Cemetery Trust Fund

The Kildonan Presbyterian Church Cemetery Trust Fund is a Canadian nonprofit organization responsible for the maintenance and preservation of the Old Kildonan Presbyterian Church and its cemetery, located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The organization operates under Business Registration Number 118980721RR0001.

Historical Background

The cemetery is associated with the Old Kildonan Presbyterian Church, which holds significant historical importance as the site of the first Presbyterian church in Western Canada. Constructed between 1852 and 1854 under the direction of Reverend John Black, the first resident Presbyterian minister in the region, the church represents a landmark in the establishment of Presbyterianism in Manitoba. Reverend Black arrived in Kildonan in 1851, about 37 years after the first Presbyterian settlers from Scotland had arrived. Prior to the church’s construction, the settlers attended Anglican services.

The church building was erected by stonemason Duncan McRae, an important craftsman in the Red River settlement, who supervised its construction inspired by the small parish churches of Great Britain. The structure features rough stone walls, pointed windows, a gable roof, and originally had a delicate bell tower rising from the roof, representing architectural styles imported from the old country. The church is designated as both a provincial and municipal historic site, reflecting its cultural and historical significance.

Cemetery Significance

The Kildonan Presbyterian Church Cemetery is the final resting place of many notable figures in Manitoba's early history, including Selkirk settlers, Hudson’s Bay Company men, founders, and prominent citizens of the province. Among those interred are A. G. B. Bannatyne, John Black, George Bryce, Charles W. Gordon, John M. King, and others who played pivotal roles in the development of the region.

The cemetery has been in use for over 150 years and serves as an important historical record of the community’s early European settlers, particularly of Scottish descent. The Manitoba Genealogical Society maintains a searchable burial database, contributing to historical and genealogical research.

Operations and Public Access

Managed by the Kildonan Presbyterian Church Cemetery Trust Fund, the cemetery is open to visitors from May through October daily. The organization ensures the upkeep and preservation of both the church and cemetery grounds, honoring the legacy of the region’s early Presbyterian community.

Recognition

The Old Kildonan Presbyterian Church and Cemetery are recognized heritage sites in Manitoba, marking the first established Presbyterian congregation and church building in Western Canada. The site's historical plaques and official heritage designations underscore its significance within Canadian religious and cultural history.

This summary is based on documented historical sources detailing the church, cemetery, and their preservation efforts, highlighting the role of the nonprofit trust fund in managing this heritage site[1][2][4][5].