Here’s what one woman has created with a 124-year-old church in Saskatchewan

A 124-year-old building in Estevan’s Old Stone Inn is getting new life as the historic site enters a new chapter. Mick Favel has the story.

The oldest building in Estevan, which predates Saskatchewan as a province, is once again welcoming weary travellers in its latest incarnation.

Since December 2024, the Old Stone Inn has operated as a bed and breakfast getaway and dinner venue in the Energy City.

Laurie Wall is the innkeeper and chef at the Old Stone Inn. She said the space was a retirement idea based on her years of visiting bed and breakfasts around the world.

“I like that homely experience and I think people are getting back to that now. They don’t want a cookie cutter hotel anymore, they want something a little more personalized,” she told CTV News.

The building was originally a church, made of field stones and was constructed in 1902. George Brooks was the builder, who also made similar structures in the area at the time.

Originally used by a Presbyterian congregation, the property has changed hands many times over the years. Some locals connect the building with the Salvation Army, who owned it for some time before the 1980’s.

When renovations for the inn began, the basement was gutted to the stone walls and ground. Burnt wooden beams were discovered, likely from a fire which happened in the building’s early history.

The lower level is now home to three guest rooms with each having their own showers and bathrooms.

The upper level is now a community gathering spot.

“It was a big job. That is buying an old building for you. You never know what is going to be behind the walls,” Wall explained.

Chef table dinners are held regularly at the Inn. The events bring both locals and visitors alike.

“I am inspired by that table and the chatter. [It] brings such a friendly nature to our community,” said Trina Battersby, a dinner attendee at the Old Stone Inn.

Hannah Bod also attended a dinner at the Inn. She sees the positive the bed and breakfast has had on the city.

“It’s a beautiful building on the outside,” she said.

“It catches your eye. It is amazing just to see it and brings that homely sense of feeling to our community.”