This impressive 28-foot by 44-foot stone church south of Manitou, just passed the town of Kaleida was designed by Winnipeg architect, Charles Wheeler. Built in 1892 for a cost of $6,500 by W. H. Bowler and the construction firm of Kerr and Magee.
The church was originally named Winram Memorial Church in commemoration of W.J. Winram. Born in the Isle-of-Man on 8 January 1838, and the son of shipbuilder, he worked as a mechanical engineer in his father’s shipyard. Upon coming to Canada around 1866 he settled in Simcoe County, Ontario and resided there until May 1878, when he came to Manitoba.
In 1860 he married Catherine Ingersoll and together they had 3 children. He won his first seat in the Manitoba Legislature by acclamation in 1879 and was re-elected or acclaimed at the general elections of 1883, 1886 and 1888. He was also a Speaker of the Legislative Assembly from 1888 until his death.
Upon my arrival at the church which is down a horrid PTH (that’s not surprising in this Province right now) to this well kept church and cemetery, it wasn’t what I was expecting. When I came around the back I found the headstone of a friend’s Dad. She told me today that her parents were also engaged at this church and her Mom grew up not far from here. Her maternal grandparents are buried beside her Dad.
I’m happy I made my way down here. Of course I tried to avoid going back down the PTH and ended up in a maze of gravel roads and pouring rain but with Colton’s keen Snapchat mapping skills, we made it home.
CRUMBLING MEMORIES 