The Story
In 1888, four families came to Canada from Beresina, a German village in Russia (Province of Bessarabia): Michael and Karl Esslinger, Gottlieb Mundt, and Christian Heinzelman. They settled here and named the new district after their homeland.
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In 1892 a log building was moved in from Churchbridge to serve as a school and a church. In 1903 a congregation was formed called the Grace Lutheran Church. The charter members were: Christian, Daniel, and George Dressler, Frank Adolf and Ferdinand Becker, Christian and Fred Esslinger, Gottlieb Mundt, Kasper Rathgeber, Jacob, Fred, and William Busch, Adam Wagner, Rudolf Wirth, Rudolf Andres, and Jacob Daum.
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In 1903 a new church was built in SE 30-23-31. Both the church and the school were in the same yard. In 1920 a parsonage was built beside the church, and in 1927 a new steeple and tower with bell was installed.
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In 1962, the church was closed, and they joined Trinity Lutheran Church in Churchbridge. The building was moved to Kamsack and is used as a Lutheran church.
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The cairn that was erected on the church grounds in 1938 is still there. It was made to honor the first settlers' 50th anniversary from 1888-1938.
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Finding the Cemetery
GPS: 51.02062,-101.79670 (marks the turnoff from the grid onto the trail that leads to the cemetery.)
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Driving Directions
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From the town of Churchbridge drive 3 miles North on Highway 80.
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Turn East and drive 4 miles on grid road.
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Turn North on Beresina Road and drive 5 miles. You will see a sign that points East, represented by the GPS co-ordinates above. Turn East here. (This is a small trail through a field).
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Follow the trail East for 1 mile until you see another sign that points South. The cemetery is 1/2 mile south on the second trail.
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NOTE: The cemetery is best accessed by truck, and can be difficult to access when the trail is wet.
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The map below is a screenshot that shows directions to the cemetery. To view the interactive map, click here.
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Who Is Here?
If you would like to see who is resting in Beresina Cemetery, we recommend you visit the Beresina Cemetery page at Find A Grave by clicking the button below.
