ESTEVAN — Nestled within the weathered stone walls of a historic 1902 church lies a business that perfectly melds history, community and modern-day comfort: the Old Stone Inn.
The brainchild of Laurie Wall, a local entrepreneur and visionary, The Inn, located in the basement, offers a charming bed and breakfast experience; and The Church on the main level provides a unique, intimate event space, all infused with Wall’s personal touch and love for her roots.
Journey back to her roots
Wall’s journey to the Old Stone Inn was anything but straightforward. Born and raised on a farm near Alameda, Wall spent her formative years immersed in a unique family environment.
“My mom was a musician. She played in a band,” Wall shared. “We grew up a little bit different than the other kids because mom was cool and hip…with the wigs and the go-go boots and hot pants. She was pretty fun.”
After graduating, Wall left small-town life behind, living first in Regina and then in Vancouver for quite a while before settling in Regina to run a bustling catering business. Despite her success, she felt burnt out.
“I sold my business in Regina, March of 2023, and I didn’t know what to do with myself,” she said. “I’ve always worked a lot and very hard, so it was really hard to not determine my self-worth by my productivity.”
She embarked on a journey of self-discovery, travelling extensively in Europe and Asia. But a suggestion from her father, who, along with her mother, lives in Estevan, planted the seed for what would become the Old Stone Inn.
“He said, ‘There’s this old stone church in Estevan, and I think you could do something with it.’ I thought, there’s no way I’m living in Estevan,” Wall laughed.
Her father’s instincts proved right. The historic building, which had sat on the market for some time, lingered in Wall’s thoughts during her travels.
“All I could think about was this building,” she admitted.
Breathing new life into history
The church, originally built by stonemason George Rooks in 1902, had served many purposes over the decades. By the time Wall took the keys in June 2023, it was in need of repairs, but the real scale wasn’t clear until the process had begun.
“We discovered fire damage in the basement, and the beams and joists had to be replaced,” she said.
Ever resourceful, Wall salvaged the old beams and transformed them into a striking frame for the fireplace centrepiece.
Her vision for the space was clear: to blend historic charm with modern functionality, creating a warm and welcoming environment. Upstairs, she established an event space dubbed The Church, while the basement became The Inn, a cozy bed and breakfast featuring three thoughtfully-designed suites.
“I’ve always had a bed and breakfast in the back of my mind,” Wall explained. “It seemed like a great retirement business, where you work in the mornings and have afternoons free. This was my chance to make that dream a reality.”
Space with stories
Every corner of the Old Stone Inn tells a story, reflecting Wall’s eclectic taste and commitment to sustainability.
“I try to never buy anything new,” she said. “I like to salvage things or find them at estate sales or Facebook Marketplace.”
One standout piece is the inn’s long dining table, salvaged from a Second World War airplane hangar in Dauphin, Man.
“The wood, Douglas fir, originally came from a lumber mill on Vancouver Island,” Wall explained, noting that the couple who built it used it for their wedding and then sold it. “And my parents braved the elements to pick it up for me on a blustery day ... It weighs a million pounds, but it’s got a great story.”
Other treasures include a swing that has become a photo hotspot, a vintage couch, and china gifted by local residents among dozens of other eclectic items, stories of which are also on display at The Church.
“People have been so generous,” Wall said. “Everything here has a bit of a story.”
Vision for excellence
Wall’s dual vision for the Old Stone Inn is ambitious yet deeply personal. The bed and breakfast aims to provide an unparalleled guest experience.
“My vision for the inn part is to see people come back. I want to build relationships with people that last and have people wanting to come and stay here, solely to be here. Those business travellers that come to Estevan on a fairly regular basis, I want them to come and stay again and again, and bring people back on a regular basis, so that we become friends. And they have that feeling that they're coming to their old eccentric aunt's home, getting really great service, doted on with breakfast, and made to feel special every time they come,” Wall explained.
The Church, meanwhile, is a playground for Wall’s creativity. She hosts chef’s table dinners, specialty meals, micro-weddings, which she is licensed to conduct herself, intimate live music events and more.
“I want to be able to host my own events that bring me joy,” she said.
“And I want Estevan to be proud of this space. It’s a place where people can come for a six-course dinner, some really decent wine and decent service in a cool atmosphere. I want them to love it.”
Wall’s approach to food is equally thoughtful.
“I try to keep it local, within a 100-mile radius,” Wall said. “I’ve had people drop off pork from their farms, aquaponically-grown produce and more. Supporting local producers is really important to me.”
A community hub
Wall’s efforts are already paying off. The inn’s first events in December and January, including a sold-out appetizer evening with singer-songwriter Eli Barsi out of Moosomin, were met with enthusiasm.
“People are eager for something different,” she noted.
Looking ahead, Wall plans to expand the inn’s offerings.
“This summer, I want to build an outdoor kitchen with a barbecue area and raised flower beds,” she said. “I’d love to host outdoor chef’s dinners and grow my own herbs and tomatoes.”
While the Old Stone Inn is still evolving, Wall remains committed to creating something truly special for Estevan.
“I’ve travelled a lot, and I know what good service looks like,” she said. “I want to give people here that same level of care and excellence.”
For Wall, the Old Stone Inn is more than a business; it’s a way to reconnect with her roots and share her love of hospitality.
“Coming back feels right,” she said. “It’s comfortable, and it’s nice to be surrounded by family and old friends.”
As Estevan’s newest gem, the Old Stone Inn is poised to become a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike.
For more information, to check out the upcoming events or to book a stay, visit . Follow the Old Stone Inn on social media for the latest updates.
