Hello...it's Lovely to See You

Westerham Congregational Cemetery, June 2, 2017

Greetings and welcome to "Past Presence."

The primary focus of this blog will be on pioneer churches, cemeteries and schools.  Most likely I'll change it up a little from time to time...as they say, variety is the spice of life.  My current plan is to post something new once or twice each week.  The blog will draw from a large archive of photos dating from the fall of 2016 to the present day and onwards.

Some of you may know me from BW Bandy's blog "The View from Here" where I've been guest posting for the past year or so.  You can see those posts here:  The View from Here

Here's a sample of what's to come:

Above is Westerham Congregational Cemetery in the Gascoigne, Saskatchewan area.  The black crosses look stark in the Saskatchewan prairie landscape.

Zion Lutheran Church, June 2, 2017

Zion Lutheran Church near Horsham, Saskatchewan.  The roof collapsed years ago but the walls are still standing upright.

South of Empress, Saskatchewan , June 2, 2017

Cattle on a hillside near the Empress Cemetery in Saskatchewan...a lovely day in late spring.

Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery, June 8, 2017

Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery at Eagle Butte in the Cypress Hills of Alberta.  The church seats about thirty-two people comfortably.  This past Easter service was attended by fifty-five people...standing room only!

Saint Anthony's Church at Grosswerder, December 12, 2017

Saint Anthony's Church at Grosswerder, Saskatchewan.  The big yellow church out in the country.

Congregational Church at Gros-Ventre/Tothill, May 20, 2018

Buffalo beans blooming in front of Congregational Church at Gros-Ventre/Tothill in southern Alberta.  There is a small cemetery just west of the church.

Cypress School, June 20, 2018

Cypress School, north of Elkwater in the Cypress Hills of Alberta.  This little one-room school was open for fifty-eight years...that must be a record.

Peace Lutheran Church, August 9, 2018

Peace Lutheran Church in the R.M. of Stonehenge, Saskatchewan.  Lots to see in the area.

Near Savoy, October 18, 2018

The half-moon above Pony Hill Cemetery near Savoy in north-central Montana.  Be it near or far, I always feel "at home" in the prairie landscape.

Saint Joseph Catholic Church, October 19, 2018

On top of a small and very steep hill is Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Zortman, Montana...right in the middle of the Little Rocky Mountains.

Turner Cemetery, October 21, 2018

Turner Cemetery north of Turner, Montana.  Flyin' high!

Union Cemetery, December 18, 2018

Union Cemetery just outside of Sherwood, North Dakota...the long shadows of winter.

Saint Raphael's Roman Catholic Church, December 17, 2018

Saint Raphael's Roman Catholic Church in Cantal, Saskatchewan.  A cemetery and school cairn are a little west of this big stone and wooden church.

Saint Olaf Cemetery, December 18, 2018

Saint Olaf Cemetery near Tioga, North Dakota...a long abandoned church sits east of the cemetery.  I love the big open prairie of the area.

Winner Township School #2, December 19, 2018

The winter sun setting on Winner Township School #2 near Blacktail Lake in Williams County, North Dakota.  This was the last shot of the day and then it was back to Estevan, Saskatchewan for the night.

Thanks for the visit!