BRIGHT BANK CHURCH
The building was built in 1909, originally as a school, by August Kreye and Fred Kreye. The large low windows on one side confirm it as originally built as a school. In 1930, it was converted into a church, and a steeple was added in 1948 when it was moved to the corner of HWY 627 and RR 21 on property donated by Mr. John Kyle. At some point in the 1960s or early 1970s, the wall panelling was installed on the walls. The United Church donated it to the museum in 1997, where it was repaired and restored. Now it is non-denominational.
Highlights: The pump organ is from 1887 and still works, although it needs its tubes repaired, handmade last supper.
Zeke & Mabel Tour Bright Bank Church
New here? Meet Zee and Mabel, your unofficial museum guides.
Now if Zeke gets especially quiet while we’re walking the museum grounds, it usually means we’ve wandered into the church.
The Bright Bank Church began life in 1909 — not as a church, but as a school built by August and Fred Kreye.
Zeke pointed to the windows right away.
“See those big low ones along the side?” he said. “That’s how you know it started as a school. Let in lots of daylight so kids could see their books… or watch birds when they should’ve been studying.”
In 1930 the building became a church, and in 1948 it was moved to the corner of Highway 627 and Range Road 21, where the steeple was added.
The United Church later donated it to the museum in 1997, where volunteers restored it. Today it serves as a non-denominational church.
Zeke stepped inside and tipped his hat. At the front sits a beautiful pump organ from 1887.
“Still has a fine presence,” he said. “You can just imagine the whole room singing along.”
He tapped a finger on the pew. “Back in the day, if somebody played that organ loud enough, the whole congregation could join in.”
Then he grinned. “Even folks who couldn’t sing worth a lick.”
“Which, based on family reunions,” I said, “is more people than most choirs care to admit.”
There’s also a handmade crocheted depiction of The Last Supper, which Zeke studied for a long moment before whispering,
“Now that right there took patience.”
And that’s something prairie folks have always had plenty of.