Just In Passing - Part 1

This is something of an "end of winter" post.

I spent the last week of February 2022 in and around Vegreville, Alberta in hopes of photographing some of the many churches in the area.  The weather was reasonably nice, not too cold and not much wind, the roads were in generally good condition and at the end of each day I looked forward to having supper and visiting with my big sister.  

There was one thing that got in the way though: deep snow.  A few years ago I wouldn't have thought twice about traipsing through the knee deep, or even waist deep, snow covering the churchyards and cemeteries I wanted to see more closely but now I simply don't have the energy for that anymore.  So, once I started acting my age everything fell into place as a Plan B was hatched; the places that didn't have too much snow cover I could still walk into but those buried in snow I would just photograph from the roadside or, in some instances, through the open window of the car...these photos are merely glimpses taken "just in passing."

Pictured above is:

Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Glendon, Alberta.

Photographed on February 25, 2022.

The church has been fully restored and renovated in recent years.  They did a beautiful job and paid great attention to detail...practically looks like new.  Even the big onion dome and cupolas look renewed...bright and shiny in the afternoon light.

Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Ascension of Ispas, Alberta.

Photographed on February 27, 2022.

A very well kept country church with a very small dome and two tiny cupolas.  The old-fashioned fixed-knot wire fencing just adds to the charm.  As far as I know the church and cemetery are still in use.  Also, I have it on good authority that the ceiling inside the church is painted with angels accompanied by a dove.

Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of Desjarlais, Alberta.

Photographed on February 26, 2022.

The Temple of Saint Nicholas was completed in 1918...the rocks for the foundation along with the cut and squared logs to construct the building had been hauled in on wagons pulled by horses...the women had prepared meals for the builders, spun yarn and embroidered the tapestries that would adorn the interior of their dedicated place of worship.  

A unique aspect of the church was that is served three different national groups: Russo Orthodox, Ukrainian Orthodox and Romanian Orthodox, and services were conducted in any or all of those languages...truly a tolerant community.

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Dormition of Saint Mary of Sich-Kolomea, Alberta.

Photographed on February 27, 2022.

A stately yellow church with reddish-brown trim that still boasts a cedar-shake roof.  It was built in 1926 on a small plot of land about half a mile south of the cemetery and is now enclosed by mature trees on all sides.  The church served the community for many decades and I'd be surprised if there wasn't a special service every so often.  Overall, the church is an excellent example of a western Canadian interpretation of Byzantine style architecture.

Saint James Russo Greek Catholic Orthodox Church near Mundare, Alberta.

Photographed on February 27, 2022.

Just a short drive from Mundare is this small church with two very large domes.  When I stopped here a few winters ago there was a young couple clearing away the snow so the parishioners would have a place to park their cars when they came out for the Christmas service on the 7th of January.  

The church was built in 1904 and moved to its present location in 1942 at which time it was completely renovated with the addition of pews, electricity and a forced-air furnace.  The church has been in continuous use since it was built.

Saint Mary's Russo Greek Orthodox Church of Shandro, Alberta.

Photographed on February 26, 2022.

I love the large ornate gate sign that serves as the formal entrance to the churchyard...it also nicely frames the exceptionally tall church which is set back about three hundred feet from the road.  One very unique architectural characteristic of the church is that the central dome is mounted on a sixteen sided drum (whereas most domes are mounted on an octagonal drum).

Russo Greek Orthodox Church of Saint John the Baptist at Farusy, Alberta.

Photographed on February 28, 2022.

A view of the church, across the cemetery, and through the trees.  Romanians and Ukrainians banded together to build the church which was completed in 1907.  George Ropchan, who passed away at the age of one hundred and eight in 1987, is one amongst the over two hundred buried in the cemetery. 

Holy Trinity Orthodox Church of Sunland, Alberta.

Photographed on February 27, 2022.

The temple has delicately designed cupolas and dome, each mounted on exquisitely crafted octaganal drums with the central dome given the added decorative element of small round openings around the base...all that together with the rik-rak detail around the rooflines makes this a rare treat.

Ukrainian Orthodox Church Of Holy Ascension at Pruth, Alberta.

Photographed on February 28, 2022.

Four cupolas and a central dome adorn this country church.  The electric blue metal roof is a standout and the paler blue Orthodox cross and framed doorway bring a little heaven down to earth.  The associated cemetery is just down the road. 

Saint John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church near Peno, Alberta.

Photographed on February 28, 2022.

Doesn't look like a Ukrainian Orthodox church, does it?  Well, that's because it used to be a United church.  The Orthodox cross mounted on top of the steeple is the only exterior feature distinguishing it as the former.  The fanlight window above the doors and narrow arched windows on either side add some character.

Holy Trinity Russo Orthodox Church at Smoky Lake, Alberta.

Photographed on February 28, 2022.

Although the original church built here in 1909 burned to the ground nineteen years later in 1928, no time was lost and construction of a new place of worship began.  The stately building you see here was completed within the year.  

Now, moving ahead to more recent times, it was discovered the foundation of the church was deteriorating so, in 2016 the entire church was lifted and moved back while the old foundation was removed and a new one built.  The church was then moved ahead and lowered onto the new foundation and, best of all, suffered practically no damage during the entire process. 

Holy Trinity Cemetery of Toporoutz at Smoky Lake, Alberta.

Photographed on February 28, 2022.

This cemetery is located beside Holy Trinity Russo Orthodox Church shown above.  It is believed to be the largest Orthodox cemetery in all of Canada.  Whenever I'm in Smoky Lake County I like to stop in to enjoy, even if only for a few minutes, the peace and stillness provided here.    

More to see..."Just In Passing - Part 2" will be posted in a couple of days.

Information courtesy of:

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton

Lamont County Self-Guided Church Tour

Historical Driving Tour - Ukrainian Churches in East Central Alberta

Canada's Historic Places / Hermis / Alberta Register of Historic Places