The remains of a stone church near Markinch, Saskatchewan.
At the time I didn't notice but one of the tree branches follows the gable end roof line. It had been a long day and must have been in auto-pilot mode.
Not many country churches face eastwards as this one does.
It took a lot of manpower...
...and horsepower to hoist these stones.
Another auto-pilot moment...the curved branch seems to be cradling the round window on the west wall.
A more extensive collection of photos of the church including the cemetery taken fourteen months previous can be seen here:
Photographed on May 17, 2021.
Now my curiosity is raised over you saying that not many country churches face eastwards...why would that be I wonder. Is there (or was there) a reason for it, or is it just a fluke.
ReplyDeleteNot many churches (at all) face east now that I think about it. Country churches face west meaning the altar faces east...morning service with the sunlight streaming in behind the pastor is an impressive and dramatic idea. Also, the headstones in cemeteries face east towards the rising sun...light in the morning, sunset at the end of the day. Traditions and rituals.
DeleteAh, thank you Michael. Good explanation and one that makes sense if you think about it. I suppose a lot of the churches would have some form of stained glass window behind the pastor so having the sun streaming in would add to the effect.
DeleteMost of the little country churches were probably lucky to have a clear glass window behind the altar. Stained glass was/is expensive and often added many years after the original church construction.
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