The Olde Kirk

06/07/2026

Today is the day! Come to the Olde Kirk at 2pm to listen to Doug Patterson share the history of the Brotherhood!

Ten boys. One leader. A summer evening on Balsam Lake.

On July 20, 1926, fifteen young men set out from Long Point on Balsam Lake in a wooden war canoe, bound for Coboconk. Before morning, eleven of them had perished.

Join us as local historian Doug Paterson shares new research into this pivotal moment in Balsam Lake history - stories and details never before presented publicly - in advance of the July film screening of Brotherhood.

Sunday, June 7th at 2PM
The Olde Kirk - 992 Portage Rd., Kirkfield Admission by Donation. All welcome.

Their names deserve to be remembered. Raymond William George Allen • Frederick Harold Bakewell • Walter Mark Burgess • Frank Frederick Burkitt • William James Vernon Clarke • Joseph Edwards • Charles Henry Gordon Heale • Oliver Charles Wilson Mardall • Harry P. Mills • Arthur Robert Shea-Butcher • John Edward Wigington

06/03/2026

Happening this Sunday!! We are so excited to listen to Doug’s talk on the brotherhood! A sad story but a part of our shared history.

Ten boys. One leader. A summer evening on Balsam Lake.

On July 20, 1926, fifteen young men set out from Long Point on Balsam Lake in a wooden war canoe, bound for Coboconk. Before morning, eleven of them had perished.

Join us as local historian Doug Paterson shares new research into this pivotal moment in Balsam Lake history - stories and details never before presented publicly - in advance of the July film screening of Brotherhood.

Sunday, June 7th at 2PM
The Olde Kirk - 992 Portage Rd., Kirkfield Admission by Donation. All welcome.

Their names deserve to be remembered. Raymond William George Allen • Frederick Harold Bakewell • Walter Mark Burgess • Frank Frederick Burkitt • William James Vernon Clarke • Joseph Edwards • Charles Henry Gordon Heale • Oliver Charles Wilson Mardall • Harry P. Mills • Arthur Robert Shea-Butcher • John Edward Wigington

05/01/2026

Thanks to CKL for this shout-out!! We are absolutely looking forward to opening the museum for the season. More to follow soon!!

Let’s Celebrate Our Local Heritage! 🥳

May is Museum Month, a time to recognize the vital role museums play and an opportunity to reflect on the invaluable contributions these institutions make to our communities and our understanding of the world.

We invite you to explore all our local museums and discover the rich heritage on display, starting with a visit to the Olde Kirk- the Kirkfield and District Historical Society and Museum! Did you know that 'Kirk' is the Scottish word for Church?!

📍 992 Portage Rd, Kirkfield, ON K0M 2B0

04/30/2026

Ten boys. One leader. A summer evening on Balsam Lake.

On July 20, 1926, fifteen young men set out from Long Point on Balsam Lake in a wooden war canoe, bound for Coboconk. Before morning, eleven of them had perished.

Join us as local historian Doug Paterson shares new research into this pivotal moment in Balsam Lake history - stories and details never before presented publicly - in advance of the July film screening of Brotherhood.

Sunday, June 7th at 2PM
The Olde Kirk - 992 Portage Rd., Kirkfield Admission by Donation. All welcome.

Their names deserve to be remembered. Raymond William George Allen • Frederick Harold Bakewell • Walter Mark Burgess • Frank Frederick Burkitt • William James Vernon Clarke • Joseph Edwards • Charles Henry Gordon Heale • Oliver Charles Wilson Mardall • Harry P. Mills • Arthur Robert Shea-Butcher • John Edward Wigington

03/14/2026

Tomorrow is the day! See you then!

03/07/2026

You’re Invited! — Annual General Meeting & Special Keynote

Sunday, March 15th
2:00 PM
The Olde Kirk - 992 Portage Rd., Kirkfield

Join us as we begin the 26th year of the Kirkfield & District Historical Society.

This year’s AGM will include a special keynote presentation and first look at a new local history book project: Stories Behind the Glass

The stained glass windows in this building hold more than colour and light. They hold names, families and lives lived.

At the AGM, you’ll hear the remarkable true stories behind several of those dedications:

• A young Kirkfield mechanic who stepped onto English soil in 1916 — not knowing what that date would one day mean.
• A seventeen-year-old boy from Sheffield who crossed the Atlantic alone and found his future here.
• A family whose roots are woven deeply into this community.

This project will preserve these stories in print so that anyone who walks through the doors of the Olde Kirk can meet the people behind the glass.

Take time to renew your membership!

Enjoy refreshments by Finding Joy Sweet & Savoury Shop.

Celebrate your local history, heritage, and be a part of the future of this beautiful building! Hope to see you there!

03/02/2026

02/13/2026

Only a few tickets left for this event - Saturday, February 21st! Get your tickets here: https://square.link/u/tvztHuoj

02/02/2026

It's official!

It's official - the ships have seen their shadow so only 115 days until the sailing season begins! Happy Groundhog Day!! 😁
📷thanks to

02/01/2026

Our history!