Lögberg-Heimskringla - 21.10.2005, Síða 6

6 • Lögberg-Heimskringla • Friday 21 October 2005
Major heritage projects underway in Churchbridge
CHURCHBRIDGE, SK —
As reported in L-H earlier this
year (Issue 4,11 February), The
Thingvalla Endowment fund is
being created. The endowment,
the words of Nelson Gerrard, is
meant to preserve and enhance
the historic Thingvalla Cem-
etery in Churchbridge, SK.
Nelson Gerrard notes that
the cemetery “dates from 1887
and is the oldest Icelandic
cemetery west of Manitoba.
A beautiful and scenic hilltop
site steeped in history and still
graced by the little country
church built there almost a cen-
tury ago, this sacred spot is the
resting place of more than 100
Icelandic pioneer men, women,
and children.”
The Cemetery has been
preserved, unspoiled. With the
passage of time, pioneer cem-
eteries and churches across the
Prairies require continued care
and maintenance.
The local residents have
worked hard to maintain the
area. The property has been
fenced. The arched entrance to
the ground was built in the 70s.
Around 1980, a team of vol-
unteers headed by Valdi John-
son, Martin Johnson and Mindi
Hinrikson lifted the church
off its foundation, moved the
church to one side, then built a
new secure foundation.
To ensure that this mainte-
nance continues, an application
has been made to the Saskatch-
ewan Provincial Govemment
by the Rural Municipality of
Churchbridge to make the
Thingvalla Church a Heritage
Site. But even with this desig-
nation, there is work that needs
to be done now.
And even with provincial
grants, there is still a need for
funds to do the necessary work.
Plans are underway to have the
building shingled to its origi-
nal quality and repair the win-
dows.
Furthermore, the commit-
tee of volunteers who cher-
ish their heritage and work to
honour the memories öf their
pioneer ancestors are working
to build a caim at the site of
the original Thingvalla School.
The first school was built in
1888.
To ensure the future of
both the cemetery and the little
Thingvalla Church for years to
come, the committee is seeking
donations to the Concordia/
Thingvalla Perpetual Care fund
to complete this project. This is
a registered fund that is tax-de-
ductible, was set up many years
ago to maintain the Concordia
and Thingvalla Churches and
cemeteries. Please make dona-
tions payable to the Thingvalla
Cemetery fund and indicate
which project (re-roofing the
church or building a cairn) you
wish your funds to be applied
to. Charitable donation receipts
for income tax purposes will
be issued upon request. Send
donations to: Thingvalla Proj-
ect, c/o Ron Johnson, Box 219,
Churchbridge, SK, SOA OMO,
Ph 306-896-2840
A painting of the second
school, circa 1912, donated by
local artist Mildred Kotzer and
valued at $250, will be given
to a donor. The committee will
draw a name from our list of
donors November 1, 2005.
Three other options for giv-
ing include The Heritage Cem-
eteries Project which includes:
1. General gift where dona-
tions go to a general fund with-
in the Heritage Cemetery Proj-
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Even with provincial grants, there is still a need for funds to restore Thingvalla Church.
ect for use to a cemetery where
there is the greatest need. A
tax receipt will be issued.
2. Designated gift for the
designated cemetery of your
choice; indicate that your do-
nation is for the Thingvalla
Project. A tax receipt will be
issued.
3. Family and Friends
Endowment where the dona-
tions may be sent to the Heri-
tage Cemetery Endowment
fund. Each year only the inter-
est eamed on the fund will be
used, ensuring that the money
is available in the future. A tax
receipt will be issued. Be sure
to indicate that your donation
is for the Thingvalla Project.
For more information re-
garding these two major proj-
ects, please phone or write to:
Thingvalla Project
c/o Ron Johnson
Box 219
Churchbridge, SK
SOA OMO
Ph 306-896-2840
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Ron Johnson with the painting of the second Thingvalla School.
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