Services at the Morrin United Church ended in May 2019, with the building standing empty since, but the Morrin Historical Society will preserve the building and its history within the community by converting it into a museum.
The Morrin Historical Park Sod House, which is also managed by the society, is part of the motivation behind the new museum as a number of delicate artifacts, including books, are currently kept at the sod house. With no climate control, these items are at risk of being damaged or lost entirely.
Secretary for the Morrin Historical Society, Marilyn Trentham, told the Mail, “Our society is looking for more members or volunteers to help with the renovations and displays.”
The original church was built in 1911 and was converted into a Sunday School and church hall in 1958 when construction of a new church incorporated the footprint of the original building.
Over the years, congregation numbers dwindled and in 2019 the church board made the decision to amalgamate with the Knox United Church in Drumheller.
According to Trentham, the Historical Society plans to keep the church relatively the same, with some minor additions.
So far, an accessibility ramp and some landscape work has been completed over the summer. They are hopeful improvements such as new flooring can be completed over winter.
The Historical Society would like to see the oldest section used for small functions, such as showers and meetings, while the newer section would be used as the museum.

Now over two weeks, residents of Rosedale and the surrounding area who have post office boxes in the community have been coming to Drumheller to pick up their mail.
On September 10 the Rosedale Post Office was temporarily closed. Customers were directed to pick up their mail at the Drumheller outlet for the foreseeable future.
According to a letter posted at the Rosedale location, Canada Post is “working diligently to find a permanent solution for mail delivery and retail services.”
Rosedale area resident Keith Hodgson says it has become an inconvenience for residents as well as rural customers in the area. He says restrictions at the Drumheller Post Office due to COVID -19, only allowing a limited number in the office has compounded the inconvenience. Rosedale box holders have to pick their mail from the customer service desk.
“It doesn’t help when you can only have two people in the lobby area at a time,” he said.
He says they have not heard of any update from Canada Post. The Drumheller Mail reached out to Canada Post and in an email, it stated they have no further updates. There are just over 180 mailboxes in the Rosedale Post Office.
Customers who are not able to pick up their own mail can have someone pick it up on their behalf with a letter of authorization and government-issued photo identification. More information is available at www.canadapost.ca