The Tummel district includes land between the Shell and Assiniboine Rivers and extends from the road 3 miles south of Roblin to the 12—mile road on the south side of the E. Brumwell (now Doug. Lyon) and J. Alexander farms. Life in Tummel in the early days revolved around the church, the school and the hall.

People will remember the dances, fowl suppers, and Christmas concerts which were held in the community hall. These were held for many years and enjoyed by all.

Deer Park Cemetery was in existence before the church or the consolidated school. The Tummel people have always taken great pride in their cemetery. Its management was first undertaken by the W.I., then by the Community Club and now by a Cemetery Committee. An annual Cemetery Day is held in June when interested people gather to trim hedges, mow grass and fix walks.

On July 24—25, 1982 a Tummel School Reunion was held with over 700 people attending. 

As early as 1885 summer services were held in Tumbell, as it was first called. It was part of the Shellmouth field. The other points were Asessippi, Castleavery and Shellmouth. The following families made up the congregation: Archie Buie, William Kelso, Wilson Kelso, Jas. McNeelands, John Watson, John McNicol, William Watson, Robert J. Brooks, Benjamin Marshall, Robert McClory, George Ford, John Kines, John Edwards, Peter McDougall and two bachelors Jim Anderson and Robert Ford.

The first available record shows that in September 1886 a meeting was called at the home of Peter McDougall for the purpose of making plans for the erection of a log church. It was decided that the logs were to be at a site donated by John Watson not later than March 31st, 1887. This meeting was presided over by Wm. Stewart, (missionary), and the following building committee was elected: Peter McDougall, Convenor; John Kines Sec-Treas.; James McDougall, George Ford, Wilson Kelso, and Jim McNeelands. This church was the most northerly church, of the Presbyterian denomination, in the Province of Manitoba, and was one of less than one hundred churches in the area stretching from Winnipeg to the Rocky Mountains.

The service of dedication took place on November 17, 1887, amid much rejoicing and at it thanks were given to the various members who had opened their homes for church services prior to the opening of the church. Miss Annie McDougall was presented with a Bible for her kindness in this connection. The first service in the new church was held on October 23, 1887.

The little church was built just a short distance from the old Pelly Trail and the screech of the Red River carts could be heard pushing north or as the Indians travelled south to the Hudson's Bay Post at Russell.

In 1903 and 1904 the railway was built through Roblin and new settlers moved in as the new names mentioned in the church record indicates.

(Source: Shell River Municipality Century One - 1884-1984, pp 197f, pp250f [1984; Adapted])

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Established in 1886, the cemetery has many sites marked only by funeral home markers.

(Source: Manitoba Genealogical Society [1990; Adapted])

Adjacent to the Tummel United Church. Among the noteworthy people buried in this cemetery is Frank Leith Skinner (Memorable Manitoban).

(Source: Manitoba Historical Society [Adapted])

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Dominion Land Survey coordinates: LSD13-06-25-28-W1

In the Rural Municipality of Roblin

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As noted above, a part of the community's story, and those of its inhabitants, from the early days of European settlement through roughly 1984 is told in the volume "Shell River Municipality Century One - 1884-1984", especially on the cited pages. A free digital version of this and many other Manitoba local history books can be found online in the University of Manitoba Digital Collections. There is also a list of such books organized by district and town name on the Manitoba Historical Society's website on their page entitled "Finding Aid: Manitoba Local History Books".

A list of burials in this cemetery is available from the Manitoba Genealogical Society (reference #0518), transcribed by a member or members in 1990. Also available to MGS members is a searchable online database named the "MGS Manitoba Name Index" (or MANI). Some additional information is contained in the 1996 MGS publication "Carved in Stone: Manitoba Cemeteries and Burial Sites" (revised edition, Special Projects Publication, 106 pages).

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Also of interest, many records for defunct United congregations in Manitoba, and those of the sects that merged to form it, are now kept in their Archives and Records Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.