Touchwood Hills School is near Punnichy, Saskatchewan.
There were three different schools bearing the same name. The first school was in use from 1897-1905. After a fifteen year hiatus the second school was built and operated between 1920-1931. The third school, as shown in the photos, was the education centre for the community from 1932-1959.
Information courtesy of the Saskatchewan One Room School Project.
Photographed in a freak snow storm on November 28, 2020.
The country location of a pioneer school near some rolling hills...
...and the town location just down the street from Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Same school, different locations...things change but stay the same.
Photographed in and near Tway, Saskatchewan on August 5, 2020.
A beautiful end to the day at Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Photographed at Maryville, Saskatchewan on November 26, 2020.
Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church dates back to the mid-1920's. The central onion dome is a real beauty.
The single bell purchased in 1926 was mounted on posts until 1943 when the bell tower was erected.
The parish hall was constructed by church members in the early-1960's. Imagine all the perogie suppers they enjoyed here over the years.
A cemetery sits on a rise on the northwest corner of the grounds.
A metal cross dated "1925" stands on the eastern edge of the cemetery. The date is old but the cross in fairly new.
The cemetery accommodates a vast array of headstones and grave covers both new and old. Look closely...the canola in the background is just beginning to bloom.
The name "Pokrov" refers to a town in Ukraine...a fond memory and a dedication to the settler's homeland.
The church is officially closed but a dedicated group of people keep the buildings and grounds in top-notch condition and I thank them for their time and care.
Information courtesy of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon.
Photographed near Saint Julien, Saskatchewan on August 5, 2020.
While out on a road trip I frequently come across signs marking the location of a pioneer school. Unless I'm in a hurry (which isn't often) I like to stop for a few photos to mark the site and the occasion. Many of these signs are quite plain in their execution but the important thing is that the historical location is marked for the near future for all to see. Chances are this sign and many others like it will last for decades to come.
Also while in Claybank I stopped at Saint Joseph's Roman Catholic Church where I was lucky enough to gain access to their extensive archives. The large collection of artifacts was somewhat overwhelming but what immediately caught my eye was this handmade banner for Claybank School...
...now that's pretty special.
Photographed on November 4, 2020.
I've seen this church a few times previously but never on a day so brilliantly blue as this.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church is in Wakaw, Saskatchewan.
The cornerstone for the church was laid on the 23rd of October in 1949...all these years later the church still looks good.
Photographed on August 5, 2020.
I was on my way home from a short road trip when I decided to take a detour off the Trans Canada Highway and head north of Chaplin, Saskatchewan. Just over a hill I saw the upper half of an old grain elevator.
Taking a side road gave me this view to the east...
...and another side road gave me this view to the west.
The name "Marzolf" is painted on this side of the elevator. That's a name I've seen in a few country cemeteries in the surrounding area.
Photographed near Thunder Creek, Saskatchewan on November 5, 2020.
Heading south of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan I saw this historical bow string bridge. I'm always pleased to run across one of these...big or small.
This one is still in use.
Photographed on November 4, 2020.
Before this sighting, I don't think I'd ever found a sign marking a prairie school that dates this far back in time.
1895 somehow seems like such a long time ago.
Photographed near Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on November 4, 2020.
A very special headstone for a very special little girl.
Photographed at Saint John's Lutheran Cemetery near Edenwold, Saskatchewan.
The historic Bell Barn is just north of Indian Head, Saskatchewan.
Not exactly the original but...in 2008 it was decided that the barn, being in a state of disrepair, needed a new life. The barn was dismantled stone by stone and then rebuilt, utilizing those same stones on a site just a little north of the original.
I remember seeing the original Bell Barn in the late 1970's when it was still in reasonably good condition. What you see in these recent photographs is remarkably exact except for the metal roof...the original barn had a cedar shake roof.
Kudos to all those involved in bringing back a piece of the past!
Photographed on October 8, 2020.
Saron Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church was built in 1907.
It was the first Norwegian Lutheran Church in Canada...
...and hosted the first Lutheran circuit convention in 1908.
The church building was repaired and preserved by the Saron congregation for the sixtieth anniversary on November 10, 1967.
The congregation soon outgrew the tiny church and in 1916 erected a substantially larger church building on the same property. The new church is a fine example of prairie Lutheran churches of the period.
The cemetery is situated between and behind both churches.
Information courtesy of Canada's Historic Places.
Photographed near Hagen, Saskatchewan on August 6, 2020.
An historical war memorial in Bateman, Saskatchewan.
No reason these courageous people shouldn't be remembered everyday. Bless them all.
Photographed on November 3, 2020.
