Січ-Коломея

A wintertime visit to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Dormition of Saint Mary of Sich-Kolomea.  (My tour guide can be seen on the lower right of the church.)

The church was built in 1926 after fire destroyed the congregation's first church.

There is one large central onion dome with a smaller dome on each gable of the cruciform design.

Each of the domes is topped by a wrought-iron Orthodox cross.

The church is listed in The Alberta Register of Historic Places.

The sunburst pediment above the front doors is an attractive feature often incorporated in Ukrainian churches.  The open-frame bell tower was added in 1963.

The name "Sich-Kolomea" was taken from the two country schools closest to the church.  Sich School was a mile to the east and Kolomea School was four miles south.

Photographed near Warwick, Alberta on February 24, 2020.

Tour Guide

Wait for it...

...wait for it...

"Hi!"

She lived at the farm next to Saint Mary's Church of Sich-Kolomea.  After a friendly greeting she took me on a tour of the church grounds.

Photographed near Warwick, Alberta on February 24, 2020.

North Prairie Scandinavian Lutheran Church

North Prairie Scandinavian Lutheran Church and Cemetery is near Hinchcliffe, Saskatchewan.

The steeple is very elaborate in design with multi faceted angles and arches.  There are pinnacles on each corner of the bell tower and also on each gable peak for a total of twelve (which is four more than I've ever seen before on a Lutheran church).

The cemetery is a collection of souls from the past hundred years plus.

I love the tall narrow obelisk headstone on the right.

The interior of the church appears to be mostly original and in great condition.

Standing in front of the altar and looking down the centre aisle.

An annex on the north side of the church.

Many pointed-arch windows allow the sunshine in.

A closer look at the gothically designed kneeling altar.

The church is a designated Municipal Heritage Property.  It was built in 1918 and is the oldest public building in the surrounding area.

Photographed on March 19,2020.

Вічная Память

Вічная Память (Vichnaya Pamyat) translates as "Memory Eternal" and is an exclamation often used at the conclusion of an Eastern Orthodox funeral.  Eternal memory is a remembrance by God rather than the living...a somewhat different sentiment than is common in the western world.

The Orthodox cross rising above a red rose and the intricate "embroidery work" along the base of the heart-shaped stone is a culturally attractive design element...I'm sure Mister Solonynko is pleased.

Photographed at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery at Tarnopol, Saskatchewan on August 5, 2020.

New Home Township School

I had spent a short winter day in North Dakota in search of old Lutheran churches and cemeteries as well as pioneer schools.  On my way back to the motel in Estevan, Saskatchewan I decided to take a short detour through a previously unexplored area...and I'm glad I did.

I found this elegantly designed little schoolhouse well off the main road and at the end of a rarely used prairie trail.

I love the way the base of the bell tower gracefully curves into the roof.

Glass blocks were a fairly common feature in many of the pioneer schools in this part of North Dakota.

The tiny round window above the front door is simply but attractively decorated.

The sun will soon be off to bed.

Photographed near Corinth, North Dakota on December 18, 2018.

Long Lake Creek

A bow string bridge on the outskirts of Craven, Saskatchewan.

This one even has the name and construction date cast in concrete (which is something I haven't seen before).

Photographed on August 2, 2020.

Holy Trinity at Smuts

An evening photo of Holy Trinity...I love the "tree lace" shadows over the church.

The remaining photos were taken in the morning of the same day.  The church recently had a new coat of white paint as well as a freshly painted silver roof.

The hall and marker are just across the road.

The belfry and commemorative cairn (almost hidden in the shadows).

The plaque on the cairn reads:

"This plaque is in commemoration of the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Smuts. 

"The parish was organized in 1924 by the local people, who were assisted by the late Reverend W. Kuryk, later to become the first minister. 

"The church was built in 1926 and consecrated in 1927 by the Most Reverend Theodorowich, the archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church for the United States and Canada."

It was a beautiful day in east-central Saskatchewan.

Photographed at Smuts, Saskatchewan on August 4, 2020.

Baby Bunny at the Ranch

I always enjoy a trip out to Shirley's ranch near Carlstadt, Alberta.

A few years ago the Mountain Cottontail bunnies made an appearance at the ranch yard and I think they're here to stay.  There are no mountains here but they don't seem to mind.

It's fun to watch them go about their business...which amounts mainly to eating and then making more bunnies.  Good for them!

This baby bunny is the result of their activities.

The end.

Photographed on August 16, 2020.

Three Diamonds

An attractive red and white barn near Saint Julien, Saskatchewan.  The three diamond-shaped windows add an appealing design element to the facade.

Photographed on August 5, 2020.

Palmer Township School

I was really hoping that I'd be able to make a road trip or two into North Dakota and Minnesota this coming fall but I don't think that will come to fruition...at least not in the near future but hopefully soon.

In the meantime I've been scouring through photos from a few winters ago when I spent some time in North Dakota searching out (mostly) old Lutheran churches and cemeteries as well as pioneer schools.

This is Palmer Township School.

The flagpole is still straight and true.

There are banks of windows on both the south and west sides of the building.  Must have been hot inside in the warmer months.

The leafless tree adds a touch of eeriness to the overcast winter day.

Nice big swing set for the kids to enjoy during recess too.

Photographed near Wildrose, North Dakota on December 19, 2018.