New book delves into history of Eagle Butte’s St. Margaret’s Church

Posted on June 22, 2023 by Ryan Dahlman

By Kendall King
Southern Alberta Newspapers

Three southeastern Albertans are proud to release their new book which has been decades in the making.

Newly published, A Tiny Prairie Cathedral is an in-depth history of St. Margaret’s Church in Eagle Butte, and the land on which it sits.

The 36-page book was written by a trio of authors, William Anhorn, Rev. David Carter and Michael Truman, all of whom are connected to the church and reside in the southeast region.

Carter, the church’s minister, says he began compiling information about St. Margaret’s, Eagle Butte and the neighbouring Medicine Lodge Coulee in roughly 1976 when he purchased the church and began working to restore, saving it from impending foreclosure and the dilapidated state it had fallen into.

“My dad was a clergyman, as well as me, and our family used to go out there three or four times a year, weather permitted, to (conduct) church services,” Carter told Southern Alberta Newspapers. “So, my interest in it kind of goes back to that … but the Medicine Hat area is rich in history.”

As well as a clergyman, Carter is also an established author with more than 20 books published, most of which are history-focused.

While Carter, with his experience as an author and as the church’s long-standing church reverend, had enough information to write about the subject without assistance, he sought out Anhorn and Truman, also established writers, as he felt they could provide important contributions.

Born and raised in Medicine Hat, Anhorn is well-versed in the region’s history, as well as St. Margaret’s, having already written several articles.

Truman, the church’s gardener, is also familiar with the subject matter. He runs a blog dedicated to historic prairie locations and is a skilled photographer.

While much of the trio’s fascination with the subject was born from their own personal interest, they also hope A Tiny Prairie Cathedral will serve as a record for future generations, while honouring the stories of those who’ve passed.

The book is available to purchase online for $25 at djcarter.ca. The trio will also have books available for sale for $20 at several upcoming Stampede Farmer’s Markets.

Individuals seeking additional information about A Tiny Prairie Cathedral or other historic accounts of the southeast region are encouraged to reach out to Anhorn at wjanhorn.ca; Carter at djcarter.ca; or Truman at michaeltruman.blogspot.com.