Castleton United Church

Welcome neighbors and passers-by...

...to Castleton United Church.

The stone cairn and plaque were dedicated in 1968.  The plaque reads:

"Castleton United Church

This cairn is erected in memory of the pioneers of the Rothbury, Castleton, Pennock and Chatsworth Districts.

During the 1890's and early 1900's, these early pioneers felt the need for spiritual guidance and fellowship.  They were also concerned with the religious education of the young people and did their best to provide it.

The first church was built in 1913 and a new one was built in 1928.

This cairn is also dedicated to those who built on this well-laid foundation of our pioneers."

A few shots inside the church...frugal yet charming.

For King and Country...a framed document listing those members of Castleton United Church who volunteered for active service with Canada's Fighting Forces.

This little country church is well worth a visit when you're in the area.

 

Photographed near Saltcoats, Saskatchewan on October 10, 2020.

A Beautiful Place Out in the Country

More to see here: Буковина

Saint Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery was photographed near Lepine, Saskatchewan on August 4, 2020.

Easter

Greetings from Hope Lutheran Church in Kayville, Saskatchewan.

Enjoy your Easter weekend.

Photographed on January 26, 2022.

Jerald

So young.

Photographed at Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Cemetery near Pierceland, Saskatchewan on July 17, 2023.

Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Church

Holy Family is a country church and cemetery just seventeen miles north of the Canada/U.S.A. border.  I believe it is the southernmost Ukrainian church in all of Saskatchewan.

Settlers arrived to the area in 1905 and lived in dug outs and hillside shelters in those early days.  Frequent prairie fires added even more hardship to their meagre existence, and, the original chapel built around 1919 was completely destroyed in a storm only a few years later.  They truly had a hard life.  

But perseverance prevailed...

Over two decades later the congregation was finally able to build a new church in 1944 after one of the founding parishioners died and left a quarter section of land to the church.  The profits from this generous donation enabled the congregation to erect the new church, and only four years later, completely renovate and enlarge it.  Now that's a success story if I ever heard one.  

The wooden mission cross that stands midway between the church and cemetery commemorates the Holy Missions of 1956 and 1964.

The church was seventy-nine years old at the time of my visit.  My thanks to all those at Holy Family who still love and care for this little church out in the country.

Information courtesy of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon.

Photographed near Maxim, Saskatchewan on September 13, 2023.

Kaplychka

A favourite place to drop by for a visit...the "little chapel" in the countryside near Rhein, Saskatchewan is now one hundred and twenty-five years old...and that's definitely a cause for celebration.

More about this historical landmark here:

Kaplychka

Photographed on October 13, 2022.

Annie & John

Two oldtimers spending eternity together at Saint Joseph's Parish Cemetery.  Good for them. 

Photographed near Candiac, Saskatchewan on May 19, 2021.

A Few Days Ago at Zion Lutheran Church

Photographed near Horsham, Saskatchewan on February 13, 2025.

A Few Months Ago at Zion Lutheran Church

Photographed near Horsham, Saskatchewan on October 27, 2024.

"З новим роком"

According to the Julian calendar it's New Year's Day today.

 

"Happy New Year" from Descent of the Holy Spirit Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Photographed at Mazeppa, Saskatchewan on January 7, 2020.

"Щасливого Різдва!"

Celebrating Christmas on January 7 is a tradition that dates back for centuries.  And that's a tradition I like to keep.

"Merry Christmas!" from Saint Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Photographed near Rama, Saskatchewan on March 20, 2020.

A Beautiful Place out in the Country

Time stood still for a moment.  

Saint Stephen's Anglican Church out on the open Saskatchewan prairie.

Photographed at Tangleflags, Saskatchewan on November 11, 2024.

Long Shot near Prelate

Saints Peter and Paul Church can be seen for miles around in the prairie countryside near Prelate, Saskatchewan.

Photographed on October 26, 2024.

Bethesda Church

Was looking through archived photos and found this one of Bethesda Lutheran Church looking pretty as a picture in the snow.

Some church history here: Bethesda Lutheran near Milestone

Photographed near Milestone, Saskatchewan on January 26, 2022.

Smiley United Church

The church is in good condition and still in use.

As recently as seven weeks ago, a fowl supper organized by the church was attended by about one hundred people.  (Considering the population of Smiley is currently around twenty-five people, that's an excellent turnout, don't you think?) Good on 'em!  It's always good news to hear that a small town community is doing well.

Photographed in Smiley, Saskatchewan on December 10, 2017.

Love Valley

Welcome to Liebenthal, Saskatchewan...Love Valley.

Photographed on October 26, 2024.

Ox Cart

An ox pulling a red river cart welcomes you to Paradise Hill, Saskatchewan.

A commemoration to the Carlton Trail, the only passageway through the area in the early days of settlement.  Imagine going to pick up your groceries and dry goods in an ox cart!  Those were definitely different times.    

Photographed on November 7, 2024.

Snow at the Witch House

No trip to southwest Saskatchewan would be complete without a visit to the Witch House.  

It had been exactly a month since my last visit, and the views couldn't have been more unalike.  A month ago it looked like this: Sunrise at the Witch House

Photographed near Dollard, Saskatchewan on December 2, 2024.

Colourful

Pulling into Eastend, Saskatchewan from the west today I was greeted by this wonderfully colourful house.  Can you dig it?!    

Photographed on December 2, 2024.

Sunrise at the Witch House

On this occasion my visit to the Witch House was an illuminating experience. 

Photographed near Dollard, Saskatchewan on November 2, 2024.