Discover Bonnievale

Building history and remembrance in Bonnievale

Mary Myrtle Rigg Church and the canals built by Rigg give Bonnievale two distinct historical facets. At the church, a personal dedication and architectural details are central; for the canals, their continued use and preservation matter. Both topics relate to Bonnievale, but appeal to different interests.

Mary Myrtle Rigg Church

Mary Myrtle Rigg Church is a small church in the Norman style. Mary Myrtle Rigg, the daughter of Christopher Forrest Rigg, asked her father to build a small church. He built it in her memory. The family request and the commemorative purpose are thus directly connected to the building's origins. Its stylistic classification adds an architectural context to this personal background. The style and the dedication answer different questions: one describes the architectural classification, while the other explains the reason for the building's construction.

The year 1921 is inscribed on its foundation stone; however, the first Anglican service was not held until 1924. The dates mark different milestones: 1921 refers to the foundation stone, and 1924 to the first service. Three years lie between them. This distinction is important for establishing the chronology, since the foundation stone inscription does not date the first service.

Above the main entrance is a statuette based on the likeness of Mary Myrtle. Behind it, a rosebush with seven roses is depicted; they symbolize the seven years of her life. The design links the depiction of the person to a specific number, adding another element of remembrance to the dedication. Together with the reason the church was built, these details connect Mary Myrtle's story with the church's design.

The canals and their continued use

The canals built by Rigg add another dimension to the church's history. More than 100 years after their completion, they still supply water to the entire eastern side and large parts of Bonnievale's western side. The canals have also been largely preserved as Rigg built them. Their continued function and their preservation go hand in hand: they are a historic structure and a facility that is still in use. Their reach in supplying the town is clearly differentiated: the eastern side is supplied in full, while large parts of the western side are supplied.

When choosing Bonnievale as a destination for a hotel stay, you can distinguish between these topics by your interests. The church brings together a personal story in a single building; the canals focus on water supply and geographical reach. If you are interested in dedications and architectural details, the church offers that focus. If, on the other hand, you are interested in infrastructure and its long-term use, the canals provide a concrete point of reference. In this way, the two topics offer different perspectives to guide your stay.

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