Saint John the Evangelist Part 1

On my last road trip of 2019 I passed through Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan on a very overcast Monday morning.  I hadn't been through here in about forty years and since my memory really isn't very good, it was pretty well all new to me.  Saint John the Evangelist Anglican Church immediately caught my eye.

The stone building with brick accents is mostly original to 1885 and is in beautiful condition.

I love the big square bell tower at the front corner.  And yes, there is still a bell in the tower.

The stone cairn on the street corner was erected on the one hundredth anniversary.

Also on the one hundredth anniversary...members of the church donated beautiful new stained glass windows to grace their historical stone church.  More about that next time.

Photographed on December 16, 2019.

Wildlife

A pronghorn meets a doe and her fawns.

Photographed near Conquerville, Alberta on August 5, 2017.

Czeremchniw

Czeremchniw Polish Parish Cemetery is near Buchanan, Saskatchewan.

The welded steel cross, flag pole and main marker are in the centre of the cemetery.

I love the tall hand-painted cross on the right hand side of the photo.  These budded crosses are frequently found in the cemeteries of Eastern European immigrants.  The script and decorations on this one had recently been refreshed with new black paint.

Beautiful black and gold gate sign adorned with golden-coloured maple leaves and cross.

Photographed on December 19, 2019.

Saint Basil's at Gorlitz

Saint Basil's Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery at Gorlitz, Saskatchewan.

This is the original church building founded and built in 1908.

There is also a bell tower with a bell and an attached rope.  Ring the bell!

The main marker for the church and cemetery.  As in most country cemeteries there are lots of hoof prints in the snow.  These small protected areas are a refuge for wildlife big and small.

This area of Saskatchewan was settled largely by immigrants from the Bukovina area of Ukraine.

A small wooden cross at an unidentified grave.

New posts holding up the steel entrance gate.

An annual service and feast is still held on Pentecost Sunday.

The cross on the peak is a simple plywood cutout painted white.

A photo taken through the window showing the Royal Doors, iconostasis and candelabra on the left.  This must have been a spectacular sight on a Sunday morning in the early 1900's...and still is to me in the early 2000's.

Last look at the little country church and then on my way.

Information courtesy of the Archdiocese of Canada and the Orthodox Church in America Archives.

Photographed on December 17, 2019.

Valentine

Saw this in the Elrose Cemetery.

One of the best valentines I've ever seen.

Photographed near Elrose, Saskatchewan on October 23, 2018.

CP Caboose

A Canadian Pacific caboose on display at Medalta Potteries in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

The exterior of this one is made of wood...it's an oldie.

Photographed on January 18, 2018.

Brant Grain Elevator

The grain elevator at Brandt, Alberta.

Now privately owned by B&T Farms, Ltd.

These photos were taken during a three-day trip to Vulcan County a fews years ago.  My work season as a gardener was pretty well over and it was time for a road trip.  I was blessed with lots to see, good weather and friendly people...gotta like that.

Photographed on October 13, 2018.

Blue Skies

July 14, 2018

A beautiful summer day on the prairies.  Sunnydale Cemetery is southwest of Oyen, Alberta.

October 25, 2019

Saint Theresa's Roman Catholic Cemetery is just a few miles north of Wakaw, Saskatchewan.  The next morning there was a snowstorm.

December 15, 2018

The sky was filled with cloud activity for most of my day in northwestern North Dakota.  This photo was taken at Mountain View Cemetery just outside of Souris.

June 17, 2017

Late on a spring afternoon...Congregational Cemetery is north of Eagle Butte, Alberta.

October 24, 2019

This is the Greek Orthodox cross that sits about midway between the church and the cemetery at Saint Michael's.  Rabbit Lake, Saskatchewan is not far away.

July 16, 2018

Salem Evangelical Cemetery is north of Richdale, Alberta.  All that remains of the church that once sat here are the concrete steps.  I found a few marked graves deep in the tall prairie grass.

December 11, 2017

North of Reward, Saskatchewan...the road allowance past the cemetery had about a foot of packed snow so I parked the car and walked in to get a closer look.  The vapour trails over the Scotstown Cemetery sign added some excitement to the scene.

October 13, 2017

The view over Klara Cemetery on a warm fall day.  I had spent the past few days around Shaunavon and was on my way home...of course I took the long way home through the country.  This is near Simmie, Saskatchewan.

May 11, 2017

Springtime in the Cypress Hills of Alberta.  Lebanon-Thelma Cemetery sits on top of a hill near the southern entrance to Cypress Hills Park.

December 18, 2019

Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery (aka Westbrook Cemetery) is not far from Theodore, Saskatchewan.  It was a bright sunny day but this part of the cemetery was shaded by tall trees.

October 10, 2019

Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery are near Eagle Butte, Alberta.  This is what they look like on a sunny autumn day.  Both the church and the cemetery are still in use...go to a service, get married, get buried.  It's all good. 

Happy trails to you!