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In 1905, a movement began to move St. James Church from the present site overlooking the Birdtail Valley, into the community of Solsgirth in order to provide a more central location. There was big protest to this motion.Reverard ECR Pritchard, who was clergyman at Birtle, began to organize the movement to build St. Stephen's in Solsgirth.
In 1906 the corner stone was laid by the Birtle Masonic Lodge.
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A large crowd gathered in Solsgirth to lay the first corner stone for St. Stephen's.23 July 1906
Solsgirth, Manitoba
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Repairing the church with cedar shingles and asphalt.1940
Solsgirth, Manitoba
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Many years have passed since the construction of this building and repairs have had to be done on a couple of occassions. The steeple was removed and the roof on the south side was reshingled with cedar shingles. The north side was done later with asphalt shingles. The south side needs to be repaired once again.18
Thanksgiving service and cairn dedication service at St. Stephen's.October, 2002
Solsgirth, Manitoba
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A congregation of about 50 parishioners and former parishioners from Solsgirth and Birtle attended the final service held at St. Stephen's on October 13th, 2002. This Thanksgiving service was led by the Rev. Laura Hermakin with assitance from Bishop Jim Njegovan of the Diocese of Brandon.Following the Eucharist, a statement from the Bishop secularizing St. Stephen's was read by Jim Nickel, the people's warden. Some of the liturgical ornaments were removed from the sanctuary and taken to the back of the church symbolizing that the church is no longer a consecrated church building.
After this part of the service, the bishop and congregation proceeded outside to the memorial cairn. The bishop dedicated this cairn to the glory of God and in loving memory of the pioneers who built this "treasure" in 1906 and in the memory of all who have worshipped there since that time.
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The members of the church at the cairn dedication service.October, 2002
Solsgirth, Manitoba
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