Lieu historique national du Canada des Doukhobors à Veregin

In 1982, the Province of Saskatchewan declared the Doukhobor Prayer House a provincial heritage building. The Verigin Doukhobor Prayer House is a local landmark, with architecture that dates back to the mid-1800s in Russia. Built in 1917, it served as a prayer house and residence for two Doukhobor leaders, Peter V. Verigin and his son Peter P. Verigin. Today, it is part of the National Doukhobor Heritage Village.

The National Doukhobor Heritage Village was officially opened on June 29, 1980, a day that the Doukhobors celebrate each year as Peter's Day. This is the day that commemorates the burning of weapons and led to the emigration of the Doukhobors from Russia. The cement foundations are evidence of several commercial and residential structures that once stood there.

The prayer house symbolized the first community that began in 1899, flourished for two decades, and then saw the majority of its residents move to British Columbia. The smaller brick prayer house is reminiscent of the prayer houses located in each of the more than sixty villages that emerged in the early years of the century.

Additional buildings, typical of village dwellings of the past, were added in 1981 and 1982. In all, thirteen buildings make up the Heritage Village Museum Complex. In its remarkable design and size, the prayer house speaks to the leadership and vision of Peter V. Verigin and the spiritual and cultural significance of this place for the Doukhobors.

The Doukhobors originated in southern Russia. They are a schismatic sect of the Russian Orthodox Church. After several movements within Russia itself, the Doukhobors began immigrating to Canada in the early 20th century. Inspired by their leader, the Doukhobors established the settlement of Veregin. This settlement played a vital role as an administrative, distribution and spiritual centre for the Doukhobor community in the region.