The Rufus Project

When you visit the Cathedral, look up - look 'way up - and see our beautiful new roof. The Cathedral is a designated heritage building, so the roof is done in cedar shingles like the original roof of 1926. The golden honey colour looks great, in wet weather and dry.
 
Thank you to all those who donated funds to support the Rufus Project - to the private donors, the foundations, and the government programs.
 
We are now in the process of investigating the cost of adding insulation to the roof, and of repointing the masonry. The steps at both the Main Street door and the Tower door are being replaced.
 
The Memorial Garden
 
Thanks to the indefatigable Ted Stebbing, the space between the tower and the office area part of the Cathedral building has been landscaped. Trees - cedars, spruce and mountain ash - have been planted, along with rose bushes. Fran Sutton donated some border plants, and the lawn was re-seeded. Ted has spent hours under the broiling summer sun, weeding the new garden which will be dedicated on October 15. (Wait for the article in the St. John's Journal to find out what else is happening on October 15!)

New Additions to the Web Site

Sunday Pew Leaflets and Sunday Chronicles are now available to download. Click HERE.

The first edition of the St. John's Journal, a quarterly magazine, will soon be posted on the web site. We hope you will find it informative and entertaining.

St. John's Cathedral Now a Provincial Heritage Site.

In September, 2004, St. John's was designated as a Heritage Site by the Hon. Eric Robinson, Manitoba Minister of Culture, Heritage and Tourism. The historical designation covers both the Cathedral and the surrounding cemetery, which predates the parish. The Parish was founded in 1820 when the Rev. John West arrived in Red River to serve as chaplain to the Hudson's Bay Company officers and men, and as missionary to the aboriginal people of the region. The Cathedral, which is the fourth building on this site, was built in 1927, (the previous churches were built in 1822, 1834 and 1862).

The cemetery was founded prior to the 1817 visit of Lord Selkirk to this part of the world. Meeting with the Selkirk Settlers in May, 1817, the Earl agreed to send them a Minister, and suggested that they build the church in the graveyard. The Settlers were hoping for a Presbyterian, of course, but it was not until 1850 that John Black, the first Presbyterian minister arrived. Until that time, the Settlers were ministered to by Anglican John West and his successors.

Tours of both the Cathedral and the Cemetery are available on request. To arrange for a tour please call 1-(204)-586-8385 or e mail stjministry@mts.net.

Cemetery Lighting and driveway.

A bequest earmarked for cemetery lighting has allowed us to start upgrading the lighting in the cemetery. The wiring is in place, and we are installing street-style lighting poles around the perimeter of the Cathedral.

Those who drive into the cemetery will be happy to note that the driveway has a fresh layer of crushed gravel, so the drive is smoother!