Mister Brocke

Mister Brocke died too young but his headstone is unusually handsome.  

Looks like the stone was originally part of something that was much, much older.

Photographed at North Park Pioneer Cemetery near Lea Park, Alberta on July 17, 2023.

All Souls' Day

Here is a small collection of favourites from the past year in celebration of All Souls' Day, or as it is known to many, Day of the Dead.  It's a day to welcome back the souls of adult family members who have passed on and to celebrate that reunion with food and drink...take time to have a beer with your brother, lunch with your uncle or fresh cinnamon buns with your mom.  It's all good.

The following photos are in chronological order, and in most cases, each photo shows only a small part of each cemetery which makes for a more intimate view of the whole.  Happy All Souls' Day! 

Saint Cunigundis Roman Catholic Cemetery near Marienthal, Saskatchewan.

June 19, 2023

The cemetery was established by Russian immigrants in the early 1900's and is tucked into what is now a dense planting of trees and shrubs a few hundred feet off the main road.  I've enjoyed stopping here over the years but this visit was special in that it was the first time I'd seen it when the grass was green.

                                                 

Emmanual Lutheran German Cemetery near Ray, North Dakota.

June 21, 2023

The German Cemetery, as it is known locally, is a quarter mile down a well-used prairie trail surrounded by pasture and farmland.  It was my first visit here and was graciously welcomed by a herd of cattle just across the fence...curious creatures they are, and skittish too.  

Rudser Lutheran Cemetery near Zahl, North Dakota.

June 22, 2023

I love the setting created by the interspersed trees and shrubs in and around the cemetery.  Each time one walks around another planting a new visual is revealed...very much like a comfortable country garden.  I would imagine the residents are more than pleased with their accommodations.

Saint Anthony's Roman Catholic Cemetery at Grosswerder, Saskatchewan. 

July 15, 2023

Even though the air was filled with heavy smoke during my visit I was determined to make the best of it.  The old-fashioned wrought iron crosses marking the graves of pioneers are mixed in with the granite headstones of, in many cases, their infant and adult children.  Across the road Saint Anthony's Church can be seen through the gray smoky haze.  During my short time here I was lucky to have met a local couple who invited me in to see the interior of their lovely historical church.    

      

The Nativity of the Holy Virgin Orthodox Cemetery of Kysylew near Andrew, Alberta.

July 19, 2023

To reach the cemetery one takes the trail past the church, down a slope to a narrow bridge that crosses a creek, then up the other side to the top of the hill that is the cemetery.  I've stopped here half a dozen times and no matter the season, the exquisitely maintained cemetery always looks beautiful.  There are over four hundred graves in this country cemetery. 

         

Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery near Maxim, Saskatchewan.

September 13, 2023

A little cemetery in remote southern Saskatchewan.  I'd stopped here five or six years ago and everything looked almost exactly the same this time around (and that's a good thing).  The only difference I noticed was there had been a few recent burials.  The cemetery dates back to the early 1900's and is one of the southernmost Ukrainian cemeteries I've found in Saskatchewan.  

Swedish Zion Lutheran Cemetery near Souris, North Dakota.

September 15, 2023

The sky had been thick with smoke for most of the day but was beginning to clear when I arrived.  Last time I was here there was snow on the ground so I enjoyed seeing it in an early fall setting.  The church and cemetery are less than a mile south of the border in a very isolated area of North Dakota.  And, as far as I know, this is the only surviving stone church for miles in any direction.  It's well worth a detour if ever in the area.

In the overcast morning light...

...and again later that same afternoon.  

Hurricane Lake Cemetery near Baker, North Dakota.

September 16, 2023

The cemetery is nestled nicely into the surrounding farmland and someone still comes by to mow the lawn.  The church has been ravaged by the weather and people stripping off the siding but it's still standing...it's a survivor.  

Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic and Polish Roman Catholic Cemetery near Saint Claude, Manitoba.

September 19, 2023

At one time there was a fence dividing the Ukrainians and Poles but that fence is now long gone.  The Ukrainian names are at the southern end of the cemetery (as shown in the photo) and the Polish names reside on the northern end.  Both cemeteries are well cared for and still in use...and everyone seems to get along just fine.  

             

Saint Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery near Gardenton, Manitoba.

September 19, 2023

I love these historical Ukrainian cemeteries where all the headstones stand tall like proud little soldiers.  It's a sight that never seems to get old, if you know what I mean.  The church here has the distinction of being the oldest permanent Ukrainian church in all of Canada.

Saint Michael's and All Angels Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery near Tyndall, Manitoba.

September 21, 2023

A large sprawling cemetery with dozens and dozens of trees and shrubs spread throughout...as much a park as a cemetery.  Many of the bushes were boasting their fall colours which certainly enhanced the view.  The large metal cross is an unusual but attractive design.  

 

Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery of Sandhill near Ladywood, Manitoba.

September 21, 2023

A shot from the extreme far end of the cemetery where a couple of benches await those who wish to pause and reflect.  The grounds are nicely kept and the overall feeling is simple, homey and comfortable.  The small country church on the grounds is just visible beyond the grave markers. 

An early evening visit to a most memorable spot...the grounds were green and lush with a touch of fall colour, the blue shadows of the setting sun added a spectral element to the scene.  This is a place where the past remains ever so present...

...and again on the following morning.  All is well and good.

Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery near Maryville, Saskatchewan.

September 25, 2023

Looks like a sunny day ahead. 

"Dia de los Angelitos"

"Day of the Little Angels" is a day set aside to honour the lives of those who have died as children.  Celebrate their passing with a favourite food, by lighting a candle or in a special way that helps keep their memory alive. 

 

The photos here show a child's grave at Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery near Gronlid, Saskatchewan.

The following day is called All Souls' Day and celebrates the lives of those who have passed away as adults. 

Photographed on September 25, 2023.

Popowich Cemetery

On a road trip a couple of years ago I came across this tiny country cemetery in the snow.  I can't help but think of these little discoveries in the countryside as a gift of the moment.            

I'm always captivated by the mauve-gray light of winter...something I'd best describe as divine light...and the snow looks so pure.             

The only information I could find about the cemetery was that between 1930 and 1949 there were a dozen burials. 

Information courtesy of the Saskatchewan Cemeteries Project.           

Photographed near Krasne, Saskatchewan on January 21, 2021.

Another View of Saint Elias

First look inside the country church.  Breathtakingly beautiful!

Heaven up above the chandelier.  The inner dome is painted sky blue and filled with gold stars.

The choir loft.

Something about blue and white is so comforting. 

A side view of the iconostasis and royal doors.

Each window is glazed with a blue and gold cross.    

The view from the choir loft.

Behind the royal doors.

This is Saint Michael the Archangel.  The face is hand-painted onto a wooden sculpture that hangs between the royal doors and chandelier.  He is attached to a pully that can be lowered in order to light the candles then raised again to "shine the light."  

The chandelier has now been turned on.

When the church was built the parishioners would have been standing all the way through a service.  Now that everyone is a little older there are chairs with a soft back and seat.

The outside view of Saint Elias.

Each of the three domes is topped with a simple wrought iron Orthodox cross.

Historical grave markers in the cemetery. 

During a short walk through the Prayer Garden I found these delphiniums in full bloom.  Beautiful way to end my visit.

Saint Elias truly is a treasure on the Alberta landscape.  

A special thanks to Sylvia and all the ladies who made my visit to Saint Elias so memorable and a heartfelt "thank you" to all those who keep things looking beautiful.

Photographed near Pakan, Alberta on July 19, 2023.

Lilac Time at Saint Elias

A little late in the season for lilacs but...

This is the beautiful Saint Elias Russo Greek Orthodox Church near Pakan, Alberta.

Click the following link to view a brief history of Saint Elias: "Щасливого Різдва!"

The photos seen here were taken the spring following the return of the historical bell house to the churchyard.  The old bell house had been tucked away in a museum near Shandro for some sixty years and it was time to bring it back home.

Over the years a Prayer Garden has been established in a grove of trees on the south side of the churchyard.  

A large memorial rock is surrounded by flowers and hand-decorated stones that have been contributed by parishioners.  Along a winding path through the trees are several sitting areas, each enhanced by the addition of flowering plants and shrubs together with an icon.

A view of the cemetery and church from the Prayer Garden.

And, of course, lilacs in full bloom.

Saint Elias is definitely "a beautiful place out in the country."

Photographed on June 27, 2022.

Saint Andrew's near Swan Plain

On my way north from Swan Plain I came across this weathered old church.

The pathway to the front doors is still mowed as are the grounds and cemetery.

One couldn't have asked for a better setting than this...green grass accompanied by fall colours.

An unusual feature of this United Church is the Orthodox cross that tops the steeple.   

The sign above the front doors is decorated with a crucifix along with two six-point stars.

The small cemetery beside the church has only two marked graves.  It is believed there are at least three other unmarked graves here. 

Photographed near Swan Plain, Saskatchewan on September 24, 2023.