Щасливого Різдва!

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate according to the Julian calendar.

Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church was photographed near Insinger, Saskatchewan on January 6, 2020.

Святвечір

Enjoy your Orthodox Christmas Eve tonight! 

Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church was photographed near Sheho, Saskatchewan on January 6, 2020.

Merry Christmas

Have a good one.

All Saints' Anglican Church and Cemetery were photographed at Cannington Manor, Saskatchewan on December 17, 2018.

Wintertime at Peace Lutheran Church

Peace Lutheran Church was photographed near Lakenheath, Saskatchewan on January 27, 2022.

A Beautiful Place Out in the Country

Saints Peter and Paul Romanian Orthodox Church and Bell Tower were photographed near Lakenheath, Saskatchewan on January 27, 2022.

Bethlehem Lutheran at Dalum

A handsome Danish-style church I ran across just by chance.  It's in wonderful condition and looks to still be in use.

The building behind the church is most likely a hall for pot luck suppers and wedding receptions.

The cornerstone.

The cemetery is right next door to the church...

...and most of the headstones bear Scandinavian names.

A commemoration plaque celebrating the centennial.

Photographed at Dalum, Alberta on October 22, 2025.

Long Shot (Saint Margaret's near Eagle Butte)

Was out at Saint Margaret's to plant some fall bulbs in Heather's Garden about three weeks ago.  When finished I decided to head over to Elkwater for a late lunch and captured this shot of the tiny cathedral in the beautiful Cypress Hills of Alberta along the way.

Have a nice weekend!

Photographed on October 16, 2025.

Day of the Dead

A time to celebrate all those who have gone before us.  Enjoy the ghosts.  I'm sure your favourite passed relative would love having tea with you...cookies or cake... maybe a beer.  It's all good.

Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church Cemetery was photographed on September 24, 2023.

A Beautiful Place Out in the Country

Saints Peter and Paul Russo Orthodox Church of Dickie Bush was photographed near Wasel, Alberta on September 20, 2021.

Tamarisk United Church

Just down the road from Tamarisk School is Tamarisk United Church.

I love the simple exterior design employed so often in prairie country churches.

The interior is a little unusual when compared to the dozens of country churches I've seen on my travels.  Simple wooden chairs for seating, two raised areas including a stage with two pump organs and a piano (which was more-or-less in tune) and one of the most beautiful stoves I've ever seen.

An etched plaque outside the church states:

"The United Church of Canada was formed in 1925 from the union of most Congregationalist, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches.  Of the hundreds of churches inherited by the new Church, most were modest structures.  Pointed windows and occasionally a small bell tower identified their spiritual purpose.  Originally a Methodist church when it was built in 1907, Tamarisk United is one of the best examples in Manitoba of those many humble buildings.  Tamarisk's straightforward external character expresses the unpretentious theological nature of Methodism.  Unpainted woodwork in the interior creates a warm, welcoming glow."

Stop by for a visit.

Photographed near Grandview, Manitoba on July 22, 2022.

Saint Anthony's near Haight

An attractive country church and cemetery near Haight, Alberta.

I couldn't find any history of Saint Anthony's but birth dates on the headstones date back as far as 1831...almost two centuries.  I'm no spring chicken but that seems like a wonderfully long time ago on the prairies.   

Photographed on June 23, 2025.

Saint Asaph's near Bangor

A look inside Saint Asaph's Anglican Church...

The church was established in 1905 by Welsh settlers.

To quote a plaque in the nearby Llewelyn Cemetery:

"To be born Welsh is to be born privileged, not with a silver spoon in your mouth, but with poetry in your blood and music in your soul."

Love and appreciation with heart and soul.

The church hasn't been used in years but is still in reasonably good condition.  That new metal roof should keep it safe for many years to come.

A shot of the church from the Llewelyn Cemetery.

This is the trail that leads from the cemetery to the church.

And this is the sign just off the main road. 

Photographed near Bangor, Saskatchewan on July 22, 2022.

This Morning at Saint Margaret's

Tiny cathedral out in the hills.

Everything is lush and green this spring...

...and the lilacs are coming into full bloom.

The columbarium tucked away in the southwest corner of the grounds.

Peaked roof in front of a peaked hill.

Heather's Garden...new plants and field stone border.

Sage keeps his vigil under the limbs of a spruce tree.

More lilacs blooming.

The view across the coulee.

If and when you're in the area, stop in for a visit.

Photographed at Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery near Eagle Butte, Alberta on June 3, 2023.

Grape Hyacinths

Fresh blooms in Heather's Garden.  They have a lovely fragrance too.

Photographed at Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery near Eagle Butte, Alberta on May 14, 2025.

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.