Finally Home

On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, after a year of preparation, the St. Anthony Petchersky Ukrainian Catholic Church finally arrived home in Halliday Park.

The day was cold, cloudy and rainy. Hydro crews led the move along highway 520 and onto 313, disconnecting and lifting transmission lines, and getting power restored as quickly as possible. Vehicles were stopped in both directions, allowing the church to cross safely over the Winnipeg River bridge. The intersection of highways 313 and 502 was temporarily closed and traffic backed up as Hydro and Bell MTS crews worked on moving lines to allow the church to pass under and over them.

Once at Halliday Park, the trucks struggled through the rain-soaked ground to place the church on its new concrete foundation. Reimer Movers, along with Marvin and Garrett Hueston, expertly guided the whole process.

The St. Anthony Petchersky Ukrainian Catholic Church has moved three times since it was built in 1937: from Brightstone to Lac du Bonnet in 1960, then to a private property off highway 520 in 1996, and now to Halliday Park.

But the journey is not over yet!

The Lac du Bonnet & District Historical Society is still in need of volunteers and financial help to restore the St. Anthony Petchersky Ukrainian Catholic Church to its former glory.

Photos credit: Jennifer Strassel

On Wednesday, November 5, 2025 the distinctive church onion domes were put in place.
Thanks to Fern’s Craning (St. Anne, MB), and Marvin & Garrett Hueston. With all the recent rain, the crane truck got stuck in the mud. Marvin’s Ram truck was able to pull it out so work could continue.

Photos credit: Jennifer Strassel

Donations are needed to restore the church to its former glory.
GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-st-anthony-petchersky-ukrainian-catholic-church 
e-Transfer: ldbhistorical@gmail.com
Cheques can be mailed to Lac du Bonnet and District Historical Society, PO Box 658, Lac du Bonnet, MB, R0E 1A0
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Latvian Event Announcement, June 2024

The Lac du Bonnet & District Historical Society has decided to cancel the Latvian event for June 2024.

Unfortunately the “Latvians are Coming” event proved to be too high a hill to climb as external funding and grants did not materialize to help cover some major expenses.

I would like to thank the dedicated “Latvians are Coming” Committee for all their efforts and time involved.

Going ahead:

The Latvian National Education & Cultural Foundation in Canada has generously donated $500 towards the production of a brochure “Lac du Bonnet Latvian Heritage Trail” (a tour through the Town, RM of Lac du Bonnet & Alexander)

More details will follow once confirmed.

Terry Tottle
Lac du Bonnet & District Historical Society

Riel Gentlemen’s Choir Food Bank Donation

On December 4th The Listening Room presented the Riel Gentlemen's Choir.

The Lac du Bonnet & District Historical Society is grateful for your support in attending and on December 20 presented $420.00 to our local Food Bank.

Janice Halliday is seen handing over the cheque to Russ & Linda Reid representatives of the Lac du Bonnet & Area Food Bank